TED Talks
TED: An updated action plan for solving the climate crisis — and a look at progress to date | Ryan Panchadsaram, Anjali Grover and David Biello
When it comes to climate, what are we doing right and where should we focus our efforts next? Systems innovator Ryan Panchadsaram and strategist Anjali Grover talk with TED science curator David Biello about the latest on the world's...
SciShow
We Discovered a New Natural Cycle!
So we all know about the carbon cycle, and the water cycle, and maybe even the nitrogen cycle. But new research has figured out there's a salt cycle, too. Problem is, that same research has found that we already broke it. Here's what...
MinuteEarth
Why do Some Species Thrive in Cities?
Urban development can be tough on wildlife. But some plants and animals are adapting to our cities in surprising ways.
SciShow
Should We Put Wind Turbines on Kites?
The future of wind energy is solarpunk. At least according to some manufacturers who want to put wind turbines on kites, blimps, or just generally up in the air where wind can generate green energy and fight climate change more efficiently.
SciShow
The Weird Reason More Bridges Are About to Fail
While they are incredible engineering marvels, we don't think about bridges all that much. But there's a good reason we should all be thinking about our bridges, since there's a weird reason that more of them might be at risk of failure...
SciShow
8 Incredible Record-Breaking Bridges
All across the world people need to get from one place to another. And sometimes to get to that other place we need bridges. Here are eight bridges that are extraordinary in their own way, from standing the test of time to handling...
SciShow
What Our Buildings Will Look Like in the Future
Ever wondered what our buildings might look like in the future? Right now, the construction industry heavily relies on concrete, but it isn't great for the earth. Join Hank Green for a new episode of SciShow and take a look at what the...
SciShow
Why is Organized Crime Buying Sand?!
Some might call sand coarse, rough and irritating, but there’s no denying that it’s used everywhere: from glass to asphalt, sand is a key ingredient for all sorts of materials in construction and technology. But this heavy reliance on...
TED Talks
TED: Nature, art and magical blocks of flying concrete | Lonneke Gordijn
Our bodies instinctually respond to the movements and rhythms of nature, like the uplifting feeling you get when walking in a forest. Can art evoke the same emotions? Experiential artist Lonneke Gordijn takes us through her studio's...
PBS
This super strong concrete could repair aging bridges. Here’s what’s standing in the way
There's a dire need to repair aging infrastructure in the U.S., and an innovative building material could be a game changer. Embedded with steel fibers, ultra-high performance concrete is about five to 10 times stronger than standard...
PBS
Pakistanis build climate-resilient homes in aftermath of devastating floods
Pakistan is struggling to recover from last year’s cataclysmic flooding that killed more than 1,700. It was the latest in a string of weather-related disasters the country has faced over the past two decades, prompting calls to make...
TED Talks
TED: A concrete idea to reduce carbon emissions | Karen Scrivener
Concrete is the second most-used substance on Earth (behind water), and it's responsible for eight percent of the world's carbon footprint. Cement researcher Karen Scrivener shares the research behind a pioneering new kind of cement...
SciShow
5 Ways Biology Is Transforming Buildings
Throughout history humans have come up with lots of different ways to build shelters for themselves. But sometimes, inspiration for better construction materials comes from nature, in structures you might not expect — like the scales on a
SciShow
This Material Is Nearly Uncuttable
European researchers claim to have developed a composite material that is basically uncuttable, so with this material, your bike might never be stolen.
SciShow
The World Is Built on Sand... and We're Running Out
Some might call sand coarse, rough and irritating, but there’s no denying that it’s used everywhere: from glass to asphalt, sand is a key ingredient for all sorts of materials in construction and technology. But this heavy reliance on...
TED Talks
TED: Community-powered solutions to the climate crisis | Rahwa Ghirmatzion and Zelalem Adefris
Climate change is the epic challenge of our lives, and community leaders like Rahwa Ghirmatzion and Zelalem Adefris are already working on sustainable, resilient solutions. Through their organizations in Buffalo and Miami, they're...
SciShow
How Tall Can Skyscrapers Get?
Get an engineeer's-eye-view of the tallest buildings in the world, to learn what challenges they face as they reach for the sky and wonder, how tall can we build?
TED Talks
TED: The 4 commandments of cities | Eduardo Paes
Eduardo Paes is the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, a sprawling, complicated, beautiful city of 6.5 million. He shares four big ideas about leading Rio -- and all cities -- into the future, including bold (and do-able) infrastructure upgrades...
TED Talks
TED: Community investment is the missing piece of climate action | Dawn Lippert
There's been explosive investment in new technologies aimed at decarbonizing the planet. But climate investor Dawn Lippert says something key is missing from this strategy: investment in the local people these solutions would affect...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: What if cracks in concrete could fix themselves? - Congrui Jin
Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. It can be found in swathes of city pavements, bridges that span vast rivers and the tallest skyscrapers on earth. But it does have a weakness: it's prone to...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Could we build a wooden skyscraper? | Stefan Al
Towering 85 meters above the Norwegian countryside, Mjøstårnet is the world's tallest wooden building, made almost entirely from the trees of neighboring forests. But as recently as the end of the 20th century, engineers thought it was...
Crash Course
Roman Engineering: Crash Course History of Science
The Romans developed a lot of infrastructure like roads and aqueducts to both help their cities flourish and to... you know... be better at war. But the interesting thing about Roman Engineering is how it was almost all focused on Techne...
TED Talks
TED: Bridges should be beautiful | Ian Firth
Bridges need to be functional, safe and durable, but they should also be elegant and beautiful, says structural engineer Ian Firth. In this mesmerizing tour of bridges old and new, Firth explores the potential for innovation and variety...