Hard Tech

A close-up of an engine test firing, showcasing various connected hoses and cables, with the engine emitting blue flames from the nozzle, reminiscent of a powerful jet engine.

Ian Brooke wants to revolutionize flight as we know it

This Y Combinator-backed startup has invented a new kind of jet engine, radically more efficient and versatile than anything before it.

Ross Pomeroy

A gloved hand holds a pair of tweezers gripping a small black square object against a background with concentric circles.

Batteries

Solid-state batteries are finally making their way out of the lab

Solid-state batteries could soon challenge lithium-ion as the dominant tech for powering smartphones, EVs, and more.

Kristin Houser

Silhouette of jagged cybersecurity rock formations against a vibrant yellow sky at dusk.

Employment

“Cybersecurity shortage” could reach 85 million workers by 2030

The global talent shortage could reach 85 million workers by 2030, causing approximately $8.5 trillion in unrealized annual revenue.

Michelle Meineke | Senior Writer | World Economic Forum

Cars

Vertical EV battery may cut costs, improve range by 30%

U.K. startup Page-Roberts proposes using a vertical EV battery to improve a car’s efficiency and cut manufacturing costs.

Kristin Houser

Agriculture

"Hands-free" smart farm will replace laborers with robots

At a smart farm in Australia, robots and AI will do all the manual labor, potentially foreshadowing agriculture’s "hands-free" future.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

United will buy 15 supersonic jets

United Airlines has agreed to buy 15 supersonic jets from Boom Supersonic, with plans to begin commercial flights before the end of the decade.

Kristin Houser

Clean Energy

New nuclear fusion test overcomes “exhaust problem”

The UK’s MAST Upgrade nuclear fusion experiment appears to have solved the “exhaust problem,” a major hurdle to harnessing fusion power on Earth.

Kristin Houser

Are we really addicted to technology?

Simplifying very complex things can lead to real harm.

Freethink Team

Biology

These bacteria grow biodegradable “Aquaplastic”

Scientists genetically modified E. coli to create a plastic called "aquaplastic," which can be transformed into a three-dimensional shape just by adding water.

Teresa Carey

Fashion

Virtual Gucci and the future of digital fashion

Game platforms like Roblox point to the future of digital fashion and personal expression.

Jesse Damiani

Accessibility

How Spin is making its e-scooter service more accessible

In partnership with Ford

Spin, a micromobility provider, is using AI to help make e-scooters safer and city streets more accessible to all residents.

Using deep learning to detect sarcasm

Can we teach AI sarcasm? Should we?

Jesse Damiani

Meet MIT’s Kate Darling: Why we should rethink our relationship with robots

According to MIT's Kate Darling, robots are more like animals, not humans.

Hope Reese

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