Hard Tech

Collage of a close-up human eye and abstract digital graphics symbolizing artificial vision with lines and light effects on a vibrant orange and black background.
Brain
Brain implant for “artificial vision” is still working after 2 years
A new type of brain implant technology has given a man with total blindness a kind of “artificial vision.”
Kristin Houser
Two men standing near a computer monitor, with one man wearing an EEG cap and pointing at the screen and the other looking at him
Brain
“Universal” BCI lets anyone play games with their minds
A specially trained “decoder” slashes the time it takes a brain-computer interface (BCI) to read a user’s mind.
Kristin Houser
A person holding a complex, 3d-printed metamaterial with a lattice structure
Engineering
3D-printed “metamaterial” is stronger than anything in nature
Australian scientists used an advanced 3D printing technique to create a super strong, super lightweight new “metamaterial.”
Kristin Houser
risc-v
Computer Science
An open-source option is shaking up the microchip industry
Kristin Houser
Engineering
Cosmic dust from Venus is inspiring new air pollution-busting technology
Alexander James
drive pilot
Transportation
Mercedes-Benz wins race to bring Level 3 autonomous cars to US
Kristin Houser
Aerospace
Scientists use laser beam to divert lightning strikes
Tom Hartsfield
3d printing homes
3D Printing
This 3D-printed home is made entirely of bio-based materials
Kristin Houser
Engineering
Elevator technology is going up
B. David Zarley
far-uvc light
Medicine
Seven science and tech breakthroughs you may have missed this year
Kristin Houser
gene drive
CRISPR
New CRISPR tech makes it possible to wipe out invasive mice
Kristin Houser
neuralink robot
Neuroscience
Watch a Neuralink robot insert electrodes into a dummy brain
Kristin Houser
smart tattoos
Wearables
“SkinKit” lets ordinary people build their own “smart tattoos”
Sam Jarman