Engineering
Engineering is a diverse branch of science and technology devoted to designing, building, problem-solving and finding practical uses for scientific discoveries. Live Science guides you through the different types of engineering— mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering and many more — with explainers on everything from who invented the telephone to how Bluetooth works.
Our expert writers and editors also scour the internet to break down the biggest engineering stories of the day, like biodegradable bullets or the world’s longest bridges. So, if you've got a mind for the mechanical, check out our latest engineering news, features and articles.
Latest about Engineering
AI drone that could hunt and kill people built in just hours by scientist 'for a game'
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet published
The scientist who configured a small drone to target people with facial recognition and chase them at full speed warns we have no defenses against such weapons.
Record-smashing Chinese maglev hyperloop train hits 387 mph and could someday outpace a plane
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet published
The T-Flight is a maglev train that hit a record-breaking speed of 387 mph on a short test track — but engineers want to double that rate so the train can carry passengers at speeds faster than if they were traveling by plane.
This tiny radioactive battery can last 50 years without recharging — and it's coming in 2025
By Victoria Atkinson published
BetaVolt's BV100 is smaller than a coin and contains a radioactive isotope of nickel that decays into copper and supplies power to a device for up to 50 years. But it probably won't power your smartphone anytime soon, an expert suggests.
Watch the world through different animals' eyes in this stunning high-tech footage
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet published
Cameras recorded footage in red, blue, green and UV channels simultaneously, with openly available software processing the raw footage and converting it into different kinds of "animal vision," showing us how bees, birds, mice and dogs might see the world.
New DragonFire laser weapon can shoot drones out of the sky, UK says
By Ben Turner published
The DragonFire laser can shoot down drones and costs less than $13 a shot, the UK government claims.
Scientists uncover the secret to building Star Wars-style laser weapons — but don't worry, we won't have a Death Star anytime soon
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet published
Today's infrared lasers are only powerful enough to disable aerial targets, but scientists now have the keys to building high-powered laser weaponry that can 'melt' distant targets.
Who invented the telephone?
By Joe Phelan published
Did Alexander Graham Bell really invent the telephone, or did he steal someone else's thunder?
Bluetooth: Who invented it and how does it work?
By Mark Smith last updated
Reference Bluetooth was inspired by a Nordic king and harnesses the power of radio. How has this wireless connectivity reshaped our electronic ecosystems.
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