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Other stories by Blaine Brownell

• The Secrets of Roman Concrete

  Could Roman concrete—the ultra-durable building material—make a modern-day comeback? New research seems to think so, Blaine Brownell reports.

• Eco-Friendly Steel Production Creates Oxygen on the Moon

  A new process to create steel produces less greenhouse gas emissions and a higher-quality product, with a twist: It produces oxygen on the moon.

• Modern Alchemy: Turning Cement into Metal

  The development of cement semiconductors will lead to the creation of novel coatings, thin-films, and computer chips.

• Scientists Develop New Graphene-Based Ink for Flexible E-Displays

  A research team at Northwestern University unveils new ink for bendable tablets, Blaine Brownell reports.

• Growing Bone Cells from Clay

  Recognition of the connection between the geophysical world and human physiology has led to the development of new medical breakthroughs, Blaine Brownell writes.

• Welcoming Nature as a Design Partner

  Both biomimicry and biodesign use nature as a guide for creativity—and require designers to relinquish control.

• Metal-Transforming Microbes

  Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found bacteria that transfer electrons, with potential application as bio-sensors.

• When a Connective Material Becomes a Surface

  Japanese designer Kouichi Okamoto misuses solder with surprising, and illuminating, results.

• Ultralight Material Gives New Life to Metal

  Metal foams, which are used primarily for automotive and orthopedic applications, can now be made entirely from discarded aluminum cans, making the ultralight material even more resourceful.

• A Digital Camera that Mimics Insect Eyes

  Researchers present the first digital camera to mimic the functionality of an insect's eye.