Stories selected by the editorial team
Gliders are the most efficient flying machines ever built—and the most advanced among them come from Germany. Aerospace engineers around the world know this well; time and again, they draw on ideas from glider technology when building their latest aircraft. Even the fast-moving air taxi industry is eager to benefit from the expertise of the gliding community.“Vertical takeoff” doesn’t just describe a flying machine lifting straight into the sky. It’s also a phrase for any career—or breakthrough—that takes off steeply ...
9 min read
5 months ago
From leaf blowers and electric cars to massive grid storage systems—lithium-ion batteries are the undisputed stars of the battery world. But their environmental impact is coming under increasing scrutiny. As a result, researchers are racing to refine and even replace them.Last year, a battery came online in California’s Mojave Desert that is nothing short of colossal. The Edwards & Sanborn project consists of 120,000 battery modules, capable of storing roughly 3.3 gigawatt-hours of electricity. At its heart: lithium-ion cells. Currently, ...
8 min read
5 months ago
Reinforced concrete components are typically bulky and heavy. That is starting to change: components reinforced with carbon fiber are enabling entirely new forms and unprecedented lightness. At the same time, the environmental footprint of these structures is improving.Balcony slabs are usually made from reinforced concrete. On average, a typical slab measures two by five meters and is 30 centimeters thick, tipping the scales at around 7.5 metric tons—about as much as a small delivery truck. The supporting framework needs to ...
6 min read
5 months ago
All around the world, millions of people are tackling social, environmental, and technological challenges—sometimes through bold, world‑changing visions, sometimes through hands‑on local projects. Volunteers, social entrepreneurs, researchers, start up founders, activists, NGO staff, or simply folks looking for more purpose at work all share one goal: making a positive difference. Futureshaper is built for exactly these people. Sound like you? Then jump in 🙂Below is a quick tour of the key features:Missions – heartbeat of the communityOn Futureshaper, missions are ...
3 min read
7 months ago
I spent my youth in the 1990s in Berlin—a city uniquely shaped by the optimism and momentum sparked by the fall of the Berlin Wall. Around the world, a powerful sense of moving towards a brighter future was palpable. The formation of the European Union, the end of apartheid, increasing international cooperation, and the incredible opportunities brought about by global connectivity and internet-driven access to knowledge defined this era. The "United Federation of Planets" from Star Trek felt to me ...
4 min read
8 months ago
