Understanding how ions flow in and out of the tiniest pores promises better energy storage devices

To model the inside of a supercapacitor, my team had to rework a common physics law that most high school students learn.

Ankur Gupta, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
May 28, 2024 • ~8 min

Device transmits radio waves with almost no power – without violating the laws of physics

A wireless transmitter uses almost no power and at first glance appears to violate the laws of physics. It’s actually a clever use of physics that could one day transmit data from tiny remote sensors.

Zerina Kapetanovic, Acting Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University • conversation
Jan. 24, 2023 • ~7 min

A large solar storm could knock out the power grid and the internet – an electrical engineer explains how

Every few centuries the sun blasts the Earth with a huge amount of high-energy particles. If it were to happen today, it would wreak havoc on technology.

David Wallace, Assistant Clinical Professor of Electrical Engineering, Mississippi State University • conversation
March 18, 2022 • ~9 min

The first mobile phone call was 75 years ago – what it takes for technologies to go from breakthrough to big time

The ubiquity of mobile phones is a defining feature of the 21st century, but it's been possible to place a phone call on the go since shortly after World War II.

Daniel Bliss, Professor of Electrical Engineering, Arizona State University • conversation
June 16, 2021 • ~7 min

Why do smoke alarms keep going off even when there's no smoke?

An electrical engineer explains how smoke detectors work, and how to reduce the chances of a false positive.

MVS Chandrashekhar, Assistant professor of electrical engineering, University of South Carolina • conversation
Jan. 8, 2021 • ~5 min

Why do different countries have different electric outlet plugs?

There are 15 different kinds of electrical outlets around the world. One standard would be more convenient, but no one wants to change theirs.

Theodore J. Kury, Director of Energy Studies, University of Florida • conversation
Dec. 21, 2020 • ~6 min

How sensors monitor and measure our bodies and the world around us

Sensors are everywhere, from your phone to your medicine cabinet. Here's how they turn events in the physical world into words and numbers.

Nicole McFarlane, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
Dec. 7, 2020 • ~4 min

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