Science, Tech, Outdoor & Innovation News
"Spin-flip" system pushes solar cell energy conversion efficiency past 100%
April 13, 2026
| Etiido Uko
Energy can never be created or destroyed. That's basic, unchangeable Physics 101. You just cannot create energy out of thin air. Yet researchers say they have developed a technology that pushes the energy conversion efficiency of solar cells to 130%!
Steel rebar may have met its match – in the form of wavy plastic
April 10, 2026
| Etiido Uko
Who could possibly compare to Superman, the Man of Steel? Definitely not a man of plastic! Right? Wrong. Scientists have discovered that unconventionally shaped plastics may rival steel bars as reinforcement materials in construction concrete.
Vehicle-less camper pod supersizes into sub-$5K loungy squaredrop
April 13, 2026
| C.C. Weiss
The Freedom Camper pod is back, and this time it launches in its biggest, boldest spec to date. The new XL model grows out of any and all pickup truck boxes, requiring a utility trailer or flatbed to serve as a spacious, comfy mobile RV solution.
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After leaving the competition scrambling with the launch of a powerful ebike drive system in 2024, DJI brand Avinox is set to do it all again with a second-generation flavor designed to beat every rival on power, torque, and weight.
The new Karsten ToW marries together an inflatable dome tent and a basic cargo trailer. It's less a caravan and more a literal Tent on Wheels that rides lightly, offers loads of payload, and quickly sets up into a ground tent with elevated bed.
This tiny house keeps things simple with a single-level layout that sleeps up to two people. Named the Audrey, the home's compact but comfortable interior is well-suited for use as a vacation home or a guest house or similar.
Sharrow made an efficiency breakthrough the instant it transformed propeller blades into twisted loops, but efficient manufacturing has proven more difficult. It's finally scaling production and slashing build times with 3D sand-casting technology.
Imagine harnessing the power of the sun as chemical bonds in molecules. That could unlock a complementary energy storage method for heating to conventional batteries – and we're getting close, thanks to a breakthrough at UCSB.
Here I am, talking about a scooter that is more powerful than most motorcycles that some people will ever own. And it doesn’t even come from the likes of Honda, Yamaha, or any other usual suspects. Rather, it comes from Kymco from Taiwan.
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April 13, 2026April 15 is almost here, but it doesn’t have to be a day of dread. With H&R Block Deluxe + State software, you’ll be able to simplify the entire process while maximizing your deductions. Get it now for just $29.99 (reg. $59.99). -
April 13, 2026 | Etiido UkoDisaster sites vary as widely as rescue missions. Using robotics often requires multiple robots to survey, climb, lift, or manipulate objects. Athena unites all these capabilities in a single, rugged, autonomous platform built for search and rescue. -
April 13, 2026 | Abhimanyu GhoshalThe new BTL50 flashlight from EDC brand Imalent is a lot more versatile than most other models designed for outdoorspeople, thanks to a clever feature and its surprisingly compact build. -
April 13, 2026 | Chelsea HaneyResearchers have identified a hybrid photoreceptor in the eyes of fish that carries traits of both rods and cones – a combination that doesn’t fit either category. It suggests the retina may be far more flexible than scientists have long assumed. -
April 13, 2026 | Omar KardoudiAn AI-powered suit developed by PhD students at the University of Chicago teaches physical skills by literally moving your muscles for you with electrical pulses. No pre-programming needed – it reads the situation and adapts on the fly. -
April 13, 2026 | Stefan IonescuThe Trim House in Vilnius, by KWK Promes, turns strict building limitations into a bold triangular design, blending privacy, daylight, and garden space with minimalist interiors and a dramatic spiral staircase. -
April 12, 2026 | Bronwyn ThompsonFrom wildfires to our wars on nature and each other, the subjects captured in the winning 42 images of the 69th World Press Photo Contest are not the easiest to view – but it's what makes this annual competition such a prestigious and powerful one. -
April 12, 2026 | C.C. WeissIf the average RV shop said it was working on its "most robust, self-sufficient and luxurious camper van," we'd dismiss it as marketing hype. But Tonke isn't average, and we're excited to see what it has in store for VW's newest Transporter. -
April 12, 2026Cut out the inefficient moments of your digital day by promoting your computer to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro. You can experience unparalleled AI-powered efficiency for only $12.97 (MSRP $199) until May 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT. -
April 12, 2026 | Toluwalogo Niji-OlawepoThe explanation is weirder than you might think – in fact, the sky is probably closer to violet. Tiny air molecules and larger particles like dust and pollution scatter sunlight in different ways, painting the sky from deep violet to hazy white.
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Editor's Picks
The Mysa 400 by Irontown Modular is an extra-wide tiny house that features an apartment-style interior with a spacious living area, two bedrooms, and an open design that's suited to full-time living.
What does US$21,000 get you in automotive terms? Kia Soul, Chevrolet Trax, Nissan Versa, Hyundai Venue … You see a trend there, right? None of those cars is electric, and none of them are flagships by any stretch. The bZ7 is all that and more!
A slab of limestone excavated in 1984 from the ancient Coriovallum settlement presented a puzzle for researchers of Roman history. Because of its grooves, the stone piece looked like a board game. More than 40 years on, we may have the rulebook.
This off-grid cabin-style tiny house is seriously small, with a floorspace of just 215 sq ft. However, despite its modest dimensions, it has been expertly designed to provide everything you need for a short stay.
You could be forgiven for assuming that this pyramidal skyscraper project was a still from a sci-fi TV show, or perhaps another render that's never going to go ahead. But it is indeed real, and it's begun the early stages of construction.