[ weird things ] | engineering
articles tagged: engineering
starcrete, or how to live on other planets with simple cooking ingredients
# space

starcrete, or how to live on other planets with simple cooking ingredients

Scientists figured out an ingenious recipe for extra strong concrete perfect for habitats on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

how artificial intelligence is helping to crack fusion
# science

how artificial intelligence is helping to crack fusion

Researchers trying to give the world a nearly limitless source of clean energy are getting a hand from an AI trained to fight against 100+ million degree plasma.

the new wind power mantra: bigger is better
# science

the new wind power mantra: bigger is better

Offshore wind power’s new weapons in the race for greater energy market share are giant turbines that can power entire towns on their own.

why we should give tesla’s cybertruck a chance
# tech

why we should give tesla’s cybertruck a chance

The Cybertruck looks like an aggressively angular prop from a sci-fi movie. But it can also change our minds about how to build and power utility vehicles for the better.

why the future is steampunk: steam-powered spacecraft could explore asteroids
# space

why the future is steampunk: steam-powered spacecraft could explore asteroids

Buckle up steampunk enthusiasts, it turns out that not only are steam-powered space probes possible, they might be perfect for hopping between comets and asteroids on research and mining missions.

the five technologies we can use to prevent catastrophic earthquake damage
# tech

the five technologies we can use to prevent catastrophic earthquake damage

Earthquakes might be both powerful and inevitable. But we have the tools to soften their blows, save millions of lives, and save billions when cleaning up after them.

why we need to make fusion work with a new kind of reactor
# science

why we need to make fusion work with a new kind of reactor

We have a new design for a fusion reactor that's showing great promise. We owe it to ourselves to give it a fair shot at making fusion work.

why reinventing the wheel is a worthwhile pursuit
# tech

why reinventing the wheel is a worthwhile pursuit

Reinventing the wheel is a common refrain for doing something unnecessary. But what if you really can make a better wheel like Goodyear is trying to do?

why you shouldn’t learn to stop worrying and love the nuclear jet engine
# tech

why you shouldn’t learn to stop worrying and love the nuclear jet engine

Nuclear engines in commercial aircraft would be a slow motion environmental disaster without a huge leap in shielding technology.

why reverse-engineering alien tech is a pain
# astrobiology

why reverse-engineering alien tech is a pain

Reverse-engineering alien technology is a common sci-fi and conspiracy theory trope. But doing it in real life would be a lot harder than it sounds...

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