Features of the week
MaterialsEngineering
Steel rebar may have met its match – in the form of wavy plastic
by Etiido Uko
Who could possibly compare to Superman, the Man of Steel? Definitely not a man of plastic! Right? Wrong. Scientists have discovered that unconventionally shaped plastics may rival steel bars as reinforcement materials in construction concrete.
BicyclesTransport
DJI's crazy-powerful motor rewrites the ebike rulebook all over again
by Omar Kardoudi
After leaving the competition scrambling with the launch of a powerful ebike drive system in 2024, DJI brand Avinox is set to do it all again with a second-generation flavor designed to beat every rival on power, torque, and weight.
Tiny HousesOutdoors
Extra-wide tiny house offers spacious apartment-like living
by Adam Williams
The Mysa 400 by Irontown Modular is an extra-wide tiny house that features an apartment-style interior with a spacious living area, two bedrooms, and an open design that's suited to full-time living.
EnergyEngineering
Energy storage breakthrough traps sunlight in a molecule
by Chelsea Haney
Imagine harnessing the power of the sun as chemical bonds in molecules. That could unlock a complementary energy storage method for heating to conventional batteries – and we're getting close, thanks to a breakthrough at UCSB.
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Top Stories: Transport
Hyundai concept cars let design run wild, in opposite directions
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
While Hyundai's Ioniq EVs have been racking up awards around the world, they haven't been available in China – until now. The Korean automaker is making a splash there with a big launch – and two wild concept vehicles that are worth a closer look.
Sharrow's madly torqued propellers make production quantum leap
by C.C. Weiss
Sharrow made an efficiency breakthrough the instant it transformed propeller blades into twisted loops, but efficient manufacturing has proven more difficult. It's finally scaling production and slashing build times with 3D sand-casting technology.
Cycling system aims for easier wheel-swaps by moving the cassette to the frame
by Ben Coxworth
Removing and reinstalling a bike's rear wheel is a hassle at the best of times, but particularly when you're in a hurry. The Dual system is designed to change that, as it moves the cassette from the wheel onto the frame.
Review: The golden Oceano yacht of scooters – Navee UT5 Ultra X
by Joe Salas
Navee's latest flagship scooter is fast, flashy, and formidable. It feels more like an electric motorcycle than a mere mobility machine. It's not perfect, but its power, planted chassis and premium touches make it one heck of a lavish land yacht.
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Top stories: Body & Mind
GLP-1 drugs shown to fight arthritis independent of weight loss
by Mike Franco
A new study has shown that the popular GLP-1 weight loss drug semaglutide has the power to halt, and to some extent restore, cartilage in people suffering from osteoarthritis (OA). The finding hints at a possible use of the drug beyond weight loss.
Top Stories: Outdoor
First-ever Ford Ranger Super Duty camper truck arrives – with friends
by C.C. Weiss
Fueled by Thailand's role as a leading automotive hub and booming adventure tourism destination, this year's Bangkok Motor Show much like a SEMA-style overland exhibition. It had way more cool campers and roof-tented 4x4s than we ever expected.
Pocket 'zoom' flashlight can focus its beam over half a mile away
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
The new BTL50 flashlight from EDC brand Imalent is a lot more versatile than most other models designed for outdoorspeople, thanks to a clever feature and its surprisingly compact build.
130-sq-ft tiny house maximizes space with multifunctional layout
by Adam Williams
Measuring just 130 sq ft, the Shoji is definitely smaller than the average tiny house. However, it makes up for its modest size with a space-saving multifunctional design that sleeps up to two people.
NV binoculars identify the creatures lurking in the dark - snipes?
by Monica J. White
The ScoPix binoculars combine night-vision imagery with AI recognition for identifying wildlife, objects, and landmarks in real time. The Kickstarter project aims to turn low-light viewing into a more interactive, informative experience.
Top Stories: Technology
AI suit teaches you new skills by taking control of your muscles
by Omar Kardoudi
An AI-powered suit developed by PhD students at the University of Chicago teaches physical skills by literally moving your muscles for you with electrical pulses. No pre-programming needed – it reads the situation and adapts on the fly.
Review: 2-in-1 RC smart-plane will put your engineering skills to the test
by Bronwyn Thompson
In its most ambitious set, PowerUp Toys' StarFlux Balsa Wood RC Airplane Kit delivers a hands-on experience where each step influences success in the air. And let's just say, the experience was a humbling one for a flight enthusiast like myself.
A swivel display disguises this gaming handheld as a media player
by Abhimanyu Ghoshal
Anbernic makes a wide range of gaming handhelds whose designs leave nothing to the imagination, with the usual arrays of controller buttons alongside or below a display. With its upcoming device, it's taking a more discreet design direction.
2026 World Press Photo winners capture planet in a state of flux
by Bronwyn Thompson
From wildfires to our wars on nature and each other, the subjects captured in the winning 42 images of the 69th World Press Photo Contest are not the easiest to view – but it's what makes this annual competition such a prestigious and powerful one.
Top Stories: Science
Making clean fuel (and profits) from plastic waste and battery acid
by Mike Franco
In a triple win for green research, scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new sunlight-activated reactor that uses one waste stream to tackle another – all while producing clean hydrogen, and promising to be profitable at scale.
A strange new eye cell is rewriting how vision works
by Chelsea Haney
Researchers have identified a hybrid photoreceptor in the eyes of fish that carries traits of both rods and cones – a combination that doesn’t fit either category. It suggests the retina may be far more flexible than scientists have long assumed.
Earliest known vomit: This ancient predator clearly wasn't picky
by Jay Kakade
Sometimes, the most important paleontological discoveries may come from the most disgusting materials. A fossilized vomit sample dating back nearly 300 million years revealed how an ancient mammal gorged on all manner of prey.
Why are some skies bluer than others?
by Toluwalogo Niji-Olawepo
The explanation is weirder than you might think – in fact, the sky is probably closer to violet. Tiny air molecules and larger particles like dust and pollution scatter sunlight in different ways, painting the sky from deep violet to hazy white.
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