51¶¯Âþ

materials

man and forge

Technology

Impossible alloys: How to make never-before-seen metals

From bronze to steel, alloys are the backbone of the modern world. Now a recipe that shouldn’t work is creating metal mixtures with totally unexpected abilities

Features

Plastic flower blooms thanks to its own internal molecular clock

Technology

Plastic flower blooms thanks to its own internal molecular clock

51¶¯Âþ

Buckminster Fuller

Technology

How future-proof are the ideas of Buckminster Fuller?

Culture

A transparent ball of glue, close up, with a white strand of spider silk going into it, twirling around and comnig out the other end. Looks cool and abstract

Technology

Artificial spider silk mimics how it acts as liquid and solid

51¶¯Âþ

Fungal material made into letters spelling out

Technology

Fungal products won't win prizes for glamour but will be greener

Culture

An artist's impression showing a small robot with four legs and gecko-like feet crawling over the outside of a spacecraft, with the surface of Earth visible over the top of the page

Space

Gecko Gripper blasts off to help design space-crawling robots

51¶¯Âþ

New Scientist Inside A Fusion Reactor

Technology

New alloys could lead to next generation of nuke plant metals

51¶¯Âþ

Designs from Islamic art

Technology

Material that can grow when stretched is inspired by Islamic art

51¶¯Âþ

Shape-shifting matter could let houses crumple themselves away

Technology

Shape-shifting matter could let houses crumple themselves away

51¶¯Âþ

Looking up at a skyscraper under construction

Technology

Skyscrapers of the future will be held together with glue

Buildings stuck together with adhesives – rather than bolts and screws – may sound precarious, but they are lighter, stronger and cheaper

Opinion

Physics

Nano coating lets you mould and slice liquid just like Play-Doh

51¶¯Âþ

Physics

Physicists dream up crystal based on elegant satellite dance

51¶¯Âþ

Technology

Solar cell you wear like a bandage can power a watch

51¶¯Âþ

Technology

Raft made of dust carries water droplets across a sea of oil

51¶¯Âþ

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop