Futurology

A lineup of compostable algae-based water bottles in various stages of degradation on a reflective surface.
Sustainability
Toward truly compostable plastic
Materials scientists are cooking up environmentally friendly plastics from natural sources like silk, plant fibers and whole algae.
Boyce Upholt | Knowable Magazine
Green fig fruit with water droplets hanging on a branch with leaves, exhibiting plant hardiness.
Climate Crisis
Your garden’s 2024 “hardiness zone” could change, thanks to warming climates
Hotter summers and warmer winters are changing the types of plants we’ll be able to successfully grow. Here’s how to adapt.
Matt Kasson
Scientist handing over a sample wrapped in foil, derived from coral reefs, to another person in a laboratory setting.
Oceans
Scientists are deep-freezing corals to repopulate the ocean
Healthy corals could disappear by the 2030s if climate change is not curbed, so scientists are deep freezing specimens.
Mary Hagedorn
Engineering
Researchers turned superglue into a recyclable, cheap, oil-free plastic alternative
Scott Phillips and Allison Christy
Genetics
A new look at the strange case of the first gene-edited babies
G. Owen Schaefer
Engineering
How do floating wind turbines work?
Matthew Lackner
Sustainability
Pricing groundwater will help solve California’s water problems
Ellen Bruno | Knowable Magazine
laser weapon
Engineering
UK test-fires its first high-energy laser weapon
Kristin Houser
An ice cube with a person inside of it.
Biology
What ever happened to the first cryogenically frozen humans? 
Tom Hartsfield
smart contact lens
AR
You can “see the future” with these smart contact lenses 
Kristin Houser
Series| Future Explored
Hack your gut microbiome, live to 110
Tom Carroll
History
Longtermism’s perspective on humanity’s past, present, and future
Max Roser | Our World in Data
chronic pain relief
Neuroscience
Psychedelics, brain implants, and the future of chronic pain relief
Kristin Houser