Eco-Friendly Air Conditioning

A new material developed by Stanford University’s Dr. Aaswath Raman is hoping to revolutionize the way we keep cool. Made from ultra-thin layers of silicon dioxide, hafnium dioxide and silver (for reflectivity), the new material is able to radiate as much as 97% of sunlight back into the frigid vastness of outer-space while still remaining cool itself. When tested, a small wafer of the material …

Grayson Perry Asks “Who Are You?”

Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry has a new exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery that’s asking the question, “Who Are You?” The English artist is using non-traditional portraiture techniques to explore self-identity and what it means to be a Brit. Included in his works are 14 portraits—including a self-portrait—composed on vases, posters, banners and even a hijab; the veil that covers Muslim women. Make sure …

Coffee Mug Matters

Coffee shops around the world may soon be rethinking the color of their cups. A recent study conducted by George Van Doorn of Federation University in Australia reveals that we may be using more than just our tastebuds in determining the intensity of our morning joe. Based on the idea that the brownness of coffee incites varying degrees of bitterness, Van Doorn decided to test …