Why Batteries Come in So Many Sizes and Shapes
A rectangular nine-volt battery is basically just a bunch of smaller batteries in a trench coat
Energy
NASA’s Hopes for Space Solar Power Are Looking Dim
Exorbitant launch costs and daunting engineering challenges make the dream of space-
based solar power look dicey for the space agency
Snowflakes Swirl According to Surprisingly Simple Math
Every snowflake is different, but new technology reveals they all swirl the same
Google Taps Hot Rocks to Cool Climate
The potential of geothermal energy as a carbon-free power source is well known. Now companies such as Google are helping to unlock it
Dyslexia, Dark Energy and a New Arms Race
The risks of a $1.5-trillion plan to build up the U.S. nuclear arsenal
Doubling Energy-Efficiency Gains Is Necessary to Meet Climate Goals
Countries need to double their energy-efficiency gains to achieve the emissions reductions required to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris climate agreement, a new report finds
Air-Conditioning Discovery Eliminates Harmful Gases
Heat pumps are ubiquitous in the form of air conditioners. Scientists just invented one that avoids harmful refrigerant gases
When It Comes to AI Models, Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Artificial intelligence models are getting bigger, along with the data sets used to train them. But scaling down could solve some big AI problems
This Biophysicist 'Sun Queen' Harnessed Solar Power
Hungarian-American biophysicist and inventorMária Telkes illuminated the field of solar energy. She invented a solar oven, a solar desalination kit and, in the late 1940s, designed one of the first solar-heated houses
U.S. Hits Carbon Tech Milestone with First Direct-Air Capture Facility
A new facility will suck carbon dioxide from the air, showcasing the potential of a nascent industry that some say is crucial to fighting climate change
U.S. Plan to Put Weapons-Grade Uranium in a Civilian Reactor Is Dangerous and Unnecessary
The Biden administration’s intention to use dozens of bombs’ worth of highly enriched uranium as fuel in a new civilian reactor sets a dangerous precedent, one that could help our foes get nuclear weapons
‘Virtual’ Power Plants Give the Grid Vital Flexibility
Virtual power plants are aggregations of electricity producers, consumers and storers that power grid managers can call on to balance electricity demand and supply