Tech : Science World Report

Apr 26, 2013 03:35 PM EDT

Graphene Layers on Steel Surfaces Found to be Perfect Lubricant, Superior to Oil

Scientists discovered that one-atom-thick graphene layers work very well as lubricants on sliding steel surfaces, enabling a dramatic reduction in the amount of wear and friction over solutions like oil-based lubricants.

Apr 26, 2013 11:30 AM EDT

'Smart Skin' Gives Robots Adaptive Sense of Touch: Artificial Skin a Possibility

Could robots develop a sense of touch? Researchers have designed a new "smart skin" that has the potential to give robots a more adaptive sense of touch, provide better security for handwritten signatures and offer new ways for humans to interact with electronic devices.

Apr 25, 2013 10:21 PM EDT

Democratic Nations Asking Google to Censor Content Hits All Time High

Governments asking search engine giant Google to censor content online has increased over the last six months with 6,109 more requests, with democratic countries like the United States and Brazil leading the way.

Apr 25, 2013 02:57 PM EDT

Atomic-Scale ReRAM Element Puzzle Solved, New Possibilities for Next-Gen Memory

Resistive memory cells (ReRAM), atomic scale elements with a huge potential to further accelerate microchips, were surprisngly found to have even greater potential than previously known. They are not purely passive components like current memory cells but must be regarded as tiny batteries, research...

Apr 25, 2013 01:52 PM EDT

Reenergizing Renewable Solar and Wind Energy: New Battery Could Power Electrical Grid

There's a new way to reenergize the solar and wind energy industry. Researchers have created a low-cost, long-life battery that could enable renewable forms of energy to become major suppliers to the electrical grid.

Apr 24, 2013 01:54 PM EDT

New Ultra-Strong and Ultra-Tough Nanofibers Created by Materials Engineers

Fibers are usually tough or strong; they normally can't be both. Now, engineers have developed a structural nanofiber that is both tough and strong.

Apr 24, 2013 12:14 PM EDT

Dream of a Hover Car? Automaker Hyundai Unveils Concept for Flying Electric Motor Vehicle (Video)

If you've ever watched "The Jetsons" and dreamed of flying over everyone, scientists may not be able to get you into space just yet (unless you're an astronaut) but with the help of R&D engineers, the concept behind a hover car isn't too far off, according to a recent report.

Apr 24, 2013 11:30 AM EDT

What a Dick: NASA Rovers Draw Massive Penis on Mars

It seems like NASA's rovers have something in common with Seth from the movie, Superbad: They like drawing pictures of penises. Unlike Seth, though, the rovers have taken their particular phallic sketch out of this world--all the way to Mars.

Apr 24, 2013 10:57 AM EDT

NASA Launches Smartphones into Space: Cheap Satellite Program Blasts Off

NASA has launched three smartphones into orbit as a part of its low-budget, experimental satellite program that uses off-the-shelf components.

Apr 24, 2013 08:27 AM EDT

Flipperbot Scuttles Like a Real Baby Sea Turtle: How to Save a Species (Video)

Researchers have designed Flipperbot, a robot that has the ability to scuttle across the sand like a real baby sea turtle. They hope the robot can allow them to better preserve declining species of sea turtles.

Apr 23, 2013 03:41 PM EDT

Using Graphene to Grow Nanowires Yields Unexpected and Useful Structure

A new phenomenon was discovered by chance when experimenting with growing nanowires of a compound semiconductor on top of a sheet of graphene. The team of University of Illinois engineers that conducted the experiments were surprised to find the very useful trait that the self-assembled wires formed...

Apr 23, 2013 10:27 AM EDT

President Obama Announces STEM AmeriCorps, Initiative Supports Youth from Low-Income Communities in Science

President Obama announced Monday at the White House Science Fair that the Corporation for National and Community Services (CNCS) will launch a new STEM AmeriCorps initiative to spur student interest in science, technology, engineering and math education.