Articles for category: Material Science

How Gold Forms in the Earth's Crust

Could We Ever Run Out of Gold? The Science of Precious Metal Scarcity

Annette Uy

For thousands of years, gold has captivated humanity with its lustrous beauty and enduring value. This precious metal has sparked wars, driven exploration, and shaped entire civilizations. But as we continue to extract this finite resource from the Earth, a sobering question emerges: could we actually run out of gold? The answer isn’t as straightforward ...

The Hidden Complexity of "Simple"

9 Scientific Terms That Don’t Mean What You Think They Do

Annette Uy

Think you know what “theory” means in science? Or what makes something “organic”? The language of science is full of surprises, and chances are you’ve been using some of these terms wrong your entire life. These everyday words carry completely different meanings in scientific contexts, and understanding the difference can change how you see the ...

What Other Rare Elements Are Hiding Inside the Earth?

What Other Rare Elements Are Hiding Inside the Earth?

Annette Uy

Beneath your feet lies a treasure trove more valuable than any pirate’s chest ever discovered. Deep within Earth’s crust, mantle, and core, elements rarer than gold and more mysterious than ancient artifacts wait in darkness. Some of these hidden treasures power our smartphones, enable medical breakthroughs, and could revolutionize space exploration. Yet most people have ...

Warp speed.

The Physics of Star Trek: How Much of Sci-Fi Is Becoming Real?

Trizzy Orozco

In the vast realm of science fiction, “Star Trek” stands as a beacon of imaginative storytelling, blending futuristic technology with dazzling space adventures. Yet, beneath its fictional veneer lies a fascinating question: how much of this sci-fi universe is becoming real? As technology rapidly advances, what once seemed like pure fantasy is slowly inching closer ...

The Heavy Photon Search Silicon Detector.

Why Scientists Are Trying to Turn Light Into a New Form of Matter

Trizzy Orozco

In a world where science continuously pushes the boundaries of the imaginable, there lies a fascinating endeavor that captivates the curiosity of many: the transformation of light into a new form of matter. This scientific pursuit is not just about bending the rules of physics but also about uncovering the mysteries of our universe. Imagine, ...

red and white labeled can on green grass

The Science of Biodegradable Plastics: Are They the Solution?

Picture this: you’re walking along a pristine beach, waves gently lapping at your feet, when suddenly you spot a plastic bottle half-buried in the sand. That bottle could outlive your great-grandchildren, persisting in our environment for hundreds of years. Now imagine if that same bottle could naturally decompose within months, returning harmlessly to the earth. ...

silhouette on floating man

The Strange Case of Quantum Levitation: How Superconductors Make Objects Float

Trizzy Orozco

There’s something almost magical about watching an object float in midair, defying the very laws of gravity that bind us to the earth. This isn’t a scene from a science fiction movie, but a real-life phenomenon known as quantum levitation. At the heart of this mesmerizing spectacle are superconductors—materials with the incredible ability to conduct ...