Have you ever closed your eyes and tried to identify an object by running your fingers over it? This is what an atomic force microscope does but on a very small scale...

Episode 055 DNA is the blueprint of life – the genetic code that shapes every living organism. But beyond genetics, DNA can be used not just for making humans: it can also be used for making tiny machines, such as turbines...

Episode 054 Doctors know that a treatment for cancer is probably working if the tumor shrinks in size. Today, tumor size is usually measured every couple of months or so, but it would be useful if the size could be monitored continuously...

Episode 053 Scientists and engineers are always trying to develop better ways to make patterns on surfaces. Such patterns are the basis for how lots of things work....

Episode 052 In comic books and movies, Spider-Man uses wrist-worn devices called Web Shooters to capture enemies and swing between buildings at high speeds. The Web Shooters emit streams of liquid, which solidify and stick to the intended target. Awesome! But is this possible in real life?....

Episode 051 Scientists and engineers are always looking for ways to make computers more powerful. Some have speculated that this might be possible using DNA, the molecules in our bodies that store genetic information....

Episode 050 Over 20% of all electricity in the US is now generated by renewable wind and solar power. That’s impressive, but wind turbines and solar panels are fickle: sometimes they generate more electricity than is needed, and other times none at all...

Episode 049 Everyone – especially teenagers – hates spots caused by acne. The bacteria that cause acne can be killed by antibiotics, but a big problem is the eventual development of antibiotic resistance...

Episode 048 What's warm when it's cold and cool when it's hot? One surprising answer is the Namibian chameleon! This chameleon can control how much sunlight it absorbs by changing its skin color...

Episode 047

How do you prove that you are you? One way is to take advantage of the fact that your fingerprints make a pattern that is uniquely yours. But how do we prove that the things around us from dollar bills to documents to pharmaceuticals are genuine and not counterfeits?...