Science, Tech, Outdoor & Innovation News
Superfast power bank brings its own solar panel for recharging
May 05, 2026
| Abhimanyu Ghoshal
Power banks are a dime a dozen, but this one caught my eye with a feature I haven't seen before: a built-in solar panel to recharge it using the power of the sun. The Solly ticks a lot more boxes, and is currently raising funds over on Kickstarter.
Tiny bike camper expands via slide-out to sleep 2 people + toilet
May 01, 2026
| C.C. Weiss
The Alpencamper Eco Slide Out bicycle camper borrows a trick usually reserved for larger RVs, using a sidewall slide-out to expand its tiny interior enough to house a double bed comparable to what you'd find in a full-blown camper van.
Startup's squeezable solid could upend cooling and refrigeration
May 05, 2026
| Abhimanyu Ghoshal
Barocal is developing a class of solid materials that can absorb and transfer heat when subjected to pressure, with a high degree of efficiency and safety. Expect to see these in action in future refrigerators and air conditioning systems.
Top Stories
The Shanti, by Simplify Further Tiny Homes, recalls the small living movement's humble roots. It combines a very compact footprint that sleeps up to two people with a surprisingly affordable price.
A construction team in Switzerland is excavating a hole in the ground that'll end up being over 88 ft deep, and spanning the length of two soccer pitches. This pit will be home to the country's first redox flow battery for storing clean energy.
Alcovia Vans has taken the well-known Ford Nugget multi-room camper van layout and adapted it for the ever-popular Fiat Ducato full-size van. It elevates the floor plan's versatility and expands it for a total of six seats and six sleeping berths.
Fourteen years ago we first heard about the Elf, a pedal/electric velomobile that could be charged via a rooftop solar panel. Well, there's a new version on the way that'll be cushier, more powerful, and able to seat a second passenger.
Combining a low price with a modest footprint of just 224 sq ft, the Rasa tiny house comes with a carefully considered interior that sleeps four in comfort – or even up to six at a squeeze.
Imagine a sensor that never requires a battery change. Like, ever. You could forget them for decades, and they’ll continue to function just fine. Well, researchers have created just that: a sensor that doesn’t require electricity or batteries.
Latest News
-
May 05, 2026 | Mike McRaeA recent discovery suggests a hit of the brain’s "feel-good" chemical, dopamine, may have a rather surprising effect on our perception of past experiences, drawing out novel moments in our memories while letting more dull experiences become condensed. -
May 04, 2026 | David SzondyLaser weapons reached a new milestone as the US Navy tested the AeroVironment (AV) LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS) aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS George H W Bush (CVN-77), notching up a 100% kill rate against multiple aerial drone threats. -
May 04, 2026The VTOMAN Jump 400 merges portable power with emergency backup, combining fast USB-C charging, multiple outputs and car jump-start support in a single unit designed for travel, outdoor setups and home use. -
May 04, 2026 | Malcolm AzaniaIn experiments, violinist duos accurately synchronized arm movements and bow positions, demonstrating how cybernetically connected, exoskeletal nudges could improve performance. Such links could massively expand physiotherapy, sports, and more. -
May 04, 2026 | Adam WilliamsDesigning a tiny house for a couple is one thing, but creating a home on wheels for a family is another challenge entirely. The Soma addresses this with a spacious layout that fits in three bedrooms and a large open living area. -
May 04, 2026 | David SzondyOne of the biggest hitters in the conventional arsenal merged with drone technology, as the US Army tested a bunker-buster warhead combined with an expendable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for field testing at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. -
May 04, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalThe last time we heard from the UK's AltoVolo, it only had renders of its grand vision for a sportscar equivalent of an eVTOL to show off. That was exactly a year ago – and it's now got a working prototype taking to the skies. -
May 04, 2026Still paying monthly for Word or Excel? That’s like burning money. With this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business lifetime license, you skip subscriptions completely. Pay $89.97 and keep the full suite forever, with no hidden renewals. -
May 04, 2026 | Malcolm AzaniaThanks to researchers at Georgia Tech, humanoid robots have taken new steps towards replacing human labor – and not simply for dangerous tasks such as mining the depths of the Earth, or difficult tasks such as high-speed mass-assembly of cars. -
May 03, 2026If your free time disappears into endless scrolling, you’re not alone — but fortunately, it’s fixable. The Headway Premium app swaps that habit for quick, focused learning you can easily stick with and use to your advantage.
Load More
Editor's Picks
This two-bedroom, skyscraper-style tiny house puts a vertical spin on downsizing. Named DQ Tower, the unusual prefab residence consists of three floors and is designed to fit into people's backyards and other small spaces.
Bangkok-based RV and truck accessories builder Carryboy has teamed with Chinese auto badge Farizon to create one of the most compelling electric camper vans the world over. It invites campers in through a wide entry and ensures they live comfy.
Globally, stomach cancer is on the rise in young people, but new research shows that three-quarters of future cases could be prevented by screening for and treating a common bacterial infection: Helicobacter pylori.
There's a new contender for the US Navy's F/A-XX Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter program to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and it looks like something out of Batman's hangar thanks to a peculiar triple-fuselage design.
Elecom has launched the world's first power bank to feature a sodium-ion battery inside. It promises significantly longer cycle life than traditional lithium-ion batteries, as well as the ability to operate in extremely hot and cold climes.
Although electric motors do help kayaks fight headwinds and currents, they also add weight, complexity and the potential for getting snagged. The FluxJet system may change that, with a sub-5-lb electric jet drive module that fits into the hull.
Australian defense company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has unveiled its Apollo High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW) that pumps out up to 150 kW of power yet can take out 200 medium-sized drones running on its own internal power supply.
Dragon Tiny Homes' Webster is well-suited to full-time living on wheels and features a spacious interior with three bedrooms, sleeping up to six people. The tiny house is currently up for sale for $85,000.