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

Hacking

DEF CON hackers compete to hijack a satellite in orbit

DEF CON’s Space Security Challenge 2020 tasked teams with hacking satellites. The grand prize? Nothing less than the moon.

B. David Zarley

Languages

Nerve-stimulating earbud could accelerate language learning

A non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation device can make language learning easier — and it might help with other types of learning, too.

Kristin Houser

Computer Science

An invite to hack voting machines

Voting machines may have security vulnerabilities, so the largest supplier is inviting pro hackers to find them.

Teresa Carey

Biohacking

Hack your dreams to improve your waking life

These scientists want to hack your dreams to improve your creativity and memory.

Amanda Winkler

Agriculture

Afghan farmers use solar panels to grow food — and opium

Farmers in Afghanistan are taking advantage of cheap solar panels to power the water pumps they use to irrigate crops for food and opium production.

Kristin Houser

Computer Science

Is quantum hacking the biggest threat to encryption?

While some security experts prepare for quantum hacking, others argue that the EARN IT Act is the threat to encryption we need to address right now.

Kristin Houser

Robotics

Japan automates construction with the first bot-built dam

A Japanese construction company has robots taking over jobs that are understaffed, due to a labor shortage.

Teresa Carey

Robotics

A humanlike brain means this smart robot can see, feel, and think

A smart robot that uses neuromorphic computing, may one day “think” like humans.

Teresa Carey

Robots can read your p-p-p-poker face

Emotion-detecting technology could be the next frontier of personalization. But what does this mean for privacy?

Amanda Winkler

Transportation

“Touchless touchscreen” could reduce distracted driving

New “predictive touch” tech could help prevent distracted driving by limiting the amount of time drivers spend interacting with vehicle displays.

Kristin Houser

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