They are dreaded words on the outside of a box: “Assembly Required.” But it might not be long before products assemble themselves.

You’re in an airplane exit row and asked whether you can remove the door if there’s an emergency. Most of us wouldn’t really know for sure. But soon a virtual reality tool might tell you…by simulating weight lifting.

A way to cut back on electric power and batteries might be to let bacteria generate light. Some students are working on just such an electricity-free lamp.

As concerns grow about concussions in football, new helmets are now allowing teams to monitor players’ head impacts.

This weekend’s NASA rocket launch from Virginia to the moon includes a mission to test the use of lasers for transmitting information over long distances.

If you or your pet ever gets stuck by a porcupine quill, you’ll see how firmly they stick in skin. So engineers are mimicking their structure…to seal wounds.

3-D printers are becoming more common, but usually produce simple solid objects. Now, though, engineers are printing out human ears -- that may hear better than the real thing.

The intensive care unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital will soon launch a new system they hope is a step toward revolutionizing health care delivery.

The intensive care unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital will soon launch a new system they hope is a step toward revolutionizing health care delivery.

When the C-E-O of a Seattle hospital wanted to improve quality, safety, and efficiency…he looked to a car manufacturer.