Science News Explores has a long-running series of stories about technology and invention, supported by the Lemelson Foundation. I love writing these stories because I get to ask the researchers about their sources of inspiration. Here are my two most recent contributions to the series.
These fabrics change color as they stretch
Science News for Students, November 4, 2022
I had to learn a lot about structural color and optics in order to write this one! Many thanks to Bruno Frka-Petesic for taking the time to patiently explain to me how the shapes of light waves can be recorded as density changes in layers of a material.
A shape-shifting robotic tooth-cleaner might one day brush for you
Science News for Students, November 11, 2022
A dentist and an engineer walked into a coffee shop, and thought up this fascinating invention. It’s a swarm of nanoparticles that can be organized into the shape of bristles using magnets.
