Science Underground

Using Science to Stop Your Mirror From Fogging Up Jun 21, 2020

The fog on your mirror after you shower can be prevented with a little dab of science. Find out how in just two minutes.

The Ancient Way to Sleep Jun 14, 2020

Our ancestors used to sleep differently. If you looked back you would see them sleep in two parts. The inventions of the light bulb and the clock changed this old way of sleeping.

How An Accident Led To Your Computer Jun 07, 2020

The way to make pure silicon chips was discovered when a chemist accidentally dipped his fountain pen into a crucible of molten tin instead of his inkwell.

How A Jiggling Gem Helps Your Watch Keep Time May 31, 2020

Deep in your watch is a small piece of quartz, which creates your clock's ticks and tocks.

The Lady Who Sold Time Apr 25, 2020

In the late 19th century, there was a woman in London name Ruth Beliville who sold time.

The Science of Fireworks Jul 01, 2016

Fireworks are a display of color and chemistry. Everyone loves fireworks, especially astronomers. Find out why.

How Fireflies Make New Medicines Jun 26, 2016

Fireflies light up the summertime night, but the glowing molecules inside them are also used by scientists to make new drugs.

Can We Make A Transporter? Jun 19, 2016

Lots of technologies on Star Trek have become a reality. But what is missing is the transporter. Lawrence Krauss, physicist and author, sheds some light on the possibilities.

Making Ketchup Hurry Up Jun 12, 2016

Ketchup takes a long time to come out of the bottle. Fortunately, science has a few answers for how to help ketchup hurry up.

ZOMBEES Jun 05, 2016

Honeybees are turning into zombie bees after a small fly injects a parasite into them. Scientists are asking everyone to report weird bees at zombeewatch.org.

How Animals Camouflage May 29, 2016

Get ready to be introduced to nature's best master of disguise--the cuttlefish.

Smart Shirts May 22, 2016

In the future, you will be able to download data from your shirt, which has electronics embedded in the fabric.

How Lightning Makes Magnets May 15, 2016

When lightning bolts zap iron minerals they make magnets called lodestones. NASA scientists coax bolts to strike rocks using a trick from Ben Franklin.

Say Cheese, Pandemic May 08, 2016

There are special cameras, called thermal cameras, that can detect heat. These cameras are the first defense against threats and diseases.

Saving Monarch Butterflies May 01, 2016

Twenty years ago, there were a billion monarch butterflies. Now, there are less than 10 percent of them left. Their disappearance is linked to a weed.

Meat Grown in a Lab Apr 24, 2016

Scientists can now grow beef outside of the cow. In the not-so-distant future, you might get your burger from a beaker.

How Animals Gossip Apr 17, 2016

Imagine if we could talk to the animals. To do so, we will have to think about time differently.

How Plants Know Which Way Is Up Apr 10, 2016

Seeds that are buried deep in the soil need to figure out which way their roots and stem should go. Ends up they have special cells to tell them what's up.

Bubbles that Print Apr 03, 2016

Deep in your ink jet printer are millions of explosions, which cause bubbles that help you print.

Space Suit Secrets Mar 27, 2016

Astronauts wear special suits so that they can work many hours in space. Find out about a special accessory they wear, which is very useful if they drank too much Tang in the morning.

Invisibility Cloaks Mar 20, 2016

Scientists have made invisibility cloaks in the laboratory. What does it take to make something invisible? A bit of brain trickery.

As Sweet As Pi Mar 13, 2016

Pi is the mysterious number of 3.14 that keeps our appliances running, our GPS going, and our clocks ticking. This number is pretty sweet.

How Atoms Keep Time Mar 06, 2016

We keep time by measuring repeating patterns, like a swinging pendulum or the earth's rotation. But, the best way to measure time is with atoms inside atomic clocks.

How Frog's Legs Helped Make the Oscars Possible Feb 28, 2016

In the 1700s, a scientist was dissecting frogs and found the legs twitched when touched with his tools. This freaky experiment allows us to make golden statues and get power from batteries.

Making a Phone Call in Ancient Africa Feb 21, 2016

To send messages over long distances, the ancients used a drum. Recently, scientists have discovered how drum beats travel for miles with the help of the surface of the Nile.

The Science of Chocolate Feb 10, 2016

Chocolate is tasty chemistry. What takes weeks to prepare, takes moments to enjoy. The steps from tree to your tongue are described.

Concussions Feb 07, 2016

Concussions seem to be in the news lately. A leading expert explains what is going on in the brain during a concussion.

High Tech High Heels Jan 31, 2016

The design of the high heel shoe is over a century old. However, there are new materials and modern technologies that can make shoes more comfortable. Fashion engineers are on a mission to rescue hurting feet.

Why is Snow White? Jan 24, 2016

Water is clear, but snow is white. Light dances on the snowflake edges creating this white color.

How Lakes Create Blizzards Jan 17, 2016

Cold dry air from Canada traveling over clear lakes are the ingredients for a miserable winter.

The Science Behind the Gateway Arch Jan 10, 2016

The Gateway Arch is a beautiful example of the marriage between materials and mathematics. The secret behind this monument's longevity is revealed.

The Skinny on Fat Jan 03, 2016

Our waistlines are increasing partly because of our modern diet, but also because of our Stone Age bodies. Back then, food was rare. Now? Not so much.

Light From Sand Dec 27, 2015

LEDs are small lights that come from a material that is under your feet at the beach--sand. The uses of LEDs are almost as numerous as the grains of sand that make them.

This Is Your Brain on CTE Dec 20, 2015

Boston University's Dr. Robert Stern tells us about a brain disease that has been in the news recently -- CTE.

Why Snowflakes Have Six Sides Dec 20, 2015

Snowflakes have six sides. The answer to why can be found in your local supermarket in a stack of oranges.

How Origami Saves Lives Dec 13, 2015

Origami is the ancient art of paper folding. Today, origami can be seen in pizza boxes and fancy napkins, but it can also save your life in a car accident.

How Chameleons Change Color Dec 06, 2015

The colors we see in a chameleon's skin is not really what it seems. Their skin is playing with light in the same way soap bubbles do.

Molecules That Heat The Planet Nov 29, 2015

Sitting in a hot car is the same thing that is happening to the earth. Molecules are trapping heat and warming the planet. If we all work together we can stop this trend.

Taste With Your Nose Nov 22, 2015

While we think the tongue is responsible for taste, actually the nose has a nose for it. Food without your nose would be pretty boring.

How Bubbles Catch Comets Nov 15, 2015

Soap bubbles are not just for kids. Foams can help you from spilling your coffee and can help scientists understand the origin of our solar system.

Tires From Lettuce Nov 08, 2015

There are 2 billion tires sold every year and each takes several gallons of oil to make it. Scientists have found an unusual source of natural rubber that is hidden in your salad.

How Leaves Change Color Nov 01, 2015

The secret for how leaves change color is uncovered. Find out how yellow and orange colors are made and how they are made differently from the reds and the purple colors. The best tree to see in the fall is also revealed.

Football Science with Jerry Rice Nov 01, 2015

NFL legend Jerry Rice discovered something that perplexes rocket scientists. The football looks different if thrown by a left-handed or right-handed quarterback and will drift off its target. The reason? The spin.

Intro to Science Underground Nov 01, 2015

The host of Science Underground invites you to explore the wonders of the world and to get back in touch with your inner scientist. Welcome the the Underground ... Science Underground.

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