Tiny Switch Could Be Just Three Atoms Thick

Tiny Switch Could Be Just Three Atoms Thick

Stanford researchers envision a crystal that can form a monolayer three atoms thick. Their computer simulations show that this crystal, molybdenum ditelluride, can act like a switch: its crystal…
Solar Energy: How Do Plastic Solar Panels Work?

Solar Energy: How Do Plastic Solar Panels Work?

We all have some idea how solar panels work by now; a photovoltaic cell gets bombarded by photons from the sun, which knocks loose electrons that flow as electricity, hopefully while wasting as…
Drilling Is Good For Organic Farming

Drilling Is Good For Organic Farming

Though the central coast of California is some of the best farmland in the world, organic farmers who don't want to use modern science have a difficult time producing crops for their $35 billion and…
That Jerk Doesn't Know He's A Jerk

That Jerk Doesn't Know He's A Jerk

Jill Abramson was recently ousted from her position as the executive editor of The New York Times. Her defenders said it was because of her gender (yet she got the job) and her demand for more…
K’nex Kinetic Interactive Sculpture

K’nex Kinetic Interactive Sculpture

In previous articles I’ve demonstrated how to use littleBits and erector set parts to build a magnetic stirrer and a sample rotator. Since I was able to drive Erector set machines with the littleBits…
How Hygienic Is Your Anesthesiologist?

How Hygienic Is Your Anesthesiologist?

In a recent study, researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center used video observation to assess  anesthesia provider hand hygiene compliance. They observed an average of 149 hand hygiene…
How Saturn's Moon Titan Is Like Earth

How Saturn's Moon Titan Is Like Earth

At first glance, Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, has little in common with Earth. Titan's surface temperature dips tp nearly 300 F below zero, its seas slosh with liquid methane, and its sky is a…
Stored Carbohydrates Help Trees Resist Drought

Stored Carbohydrates Help Trees Resist Drought

It's not a bad idea to think about water. Though Earth is literally overrun with water only 2% is usable and current energy and technology limitations make it impractical to bring it to the areas…
Best Science Writers of 2014

Best Science Writers of 2014

How deep is science writing these days? Pretty darn deep. Way back when Science 2.0 started there were not a lot of great science writers. There were well-known ones, but not great ones. Journalism…
The Start of World War Zzzzzzz

The Start of World War Zzzzzzz

A world food crisis brewing and we face a horrific future unless something can be done. No it is not the lack of food that means more people die of hunger around the world than from malaria,…