A 3-D Material that Folds, Bends and Shrinks on its Own

Harvard researchers have designed a new type of foldable material that is versatile, tunable and self actuated. It can change size, volume and shape; it can fold flat to withstand the weight of an elephant without breaking, and pop right back up to prepare for the next task.

Why Europe's New Mission to Mars Is Such a Big Deal

NASA gets all the glory when it comes to Martian exploration, but two other space agencies are now hoping to change that. Early next week, the European Space Agency and Roscosmos are launching the first phase of their joint ExoMars mission, a major new scientific effort with an badass goal: discovering signs of life on the Red Planet.

How to make plastic from CO2 and plants

A novel way to make plastic from carbon dioxide (CO2) and inedible plant material could provide a low-carbon alternative to plastic bottles.

Researchers unleash plastic-eating bacteria

Japanese scientists have discovered a bacterium that produces a never-before-seen enzyme that can fully break down PET plastics.

Q&A: John Hansman on the first global standards for aircraft emissions

Aviation is "a critical link in solving worldwide environmental challenges", says MIT professor.

The Evidence Is In: Greater Gender Diversity In Science Benefits Us All

The World Economic Forum estimated last year that at the current slow rate of progress, it will take until 2133 to close the global gender gap across health, education, economic opportunity and politics.

SpaceX Successfully Launches Latest Rocket - But Landing Attempt Fails

At the fifth time of asking, SpaceX's latest Falcon 9 rocket finally took off on Friday, March 4. Delays had seen the launch pushed back for almost two weeks, but it successfully launched at 6.35 p.m. EST (11.35 p.m. GMT) on Friday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

China sets 18% carbon intensity reduction target by 2020

China released its thirteenth five-year plan on Saturday, pledging to cut the carbon intensity of its economy to 18% below current levels by 2020, a target that is likely to guide the CO2 cap in its national emissions trading scheme.

The World's First Silicon-Based Laser Will Light Up Computing

As optical computing becomes a more realistic prospect, lasers will be required to connect components inside our devices. Now, a new silicon-based laser could make it far easier for researchers to replace wires with beams of light.

Collective memory discovered in bacteria

Individual bacterial cells have short memories. But groups of bacteria can develop a collective memory that can increase their tolerance to stress. This has been demonstrated experimentally for the first time.

'Meta-Skin' Truly Cloaks Objects From Radar

Engineers created a flexible, stretchy metamaterial that suppresses radar, effectively cloaking whatever it covers.

World's largest floating solar farm prepares to power up in London

As you next fly into Heathrow, look out the window and you might see the world's largest floating solar farm, sitting atop the massive Queen Elizabeth II reservoir in Walton-on-Thames.

Archinaut, a 3D Printing Robot to Make Big Structures in Space

Historically, the only way to get anything into orbit has been by rocket; a process that is massively expensive, cumbersome, and presents a slew of constraints.

Solar Impulse 2 is ready to soar with the sun again

A successful test flight means that after being grounded in Hawaii for seven months, the Solar Impulse 2 is ready to continue its journey around the world.