Author Archives: Tyson Brown

Science of Innovation: anti-counterfeiting devices

Knockoffs. You can buy them anywhere—from a street vendor, a flea market, or the local discount shop. But what if you’ve decided to pay more for the “real thing”? How can you be sure you’re getting the handbag, shoes, device, or even medication you’re paying for? That’s going to be less of a concern thanks [...]

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Science of Innovation: synthetic diamonds

You’re celebrating a romantic little restaurant or some other special place. Your significant other presents you with a small velvet box containing a huge diamond ring or flawless diamond cuff links. Would you like the sparkling gems any less if you knew they came from a lab and not a diamond mine? This installment of [...]

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Science of Innovation: fuel cell efficiency

Innovation rarely occurs in a vacuum, and this installment of the “Science of Innovation” video series emphasizes that. Neither scientist involved in the research highlighted would have succeeded as quickly without the knowledge and input of the other. Use the video to point out to students how seeking out help when a stumbling block presented [...]

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Science of Innovation: biofuels

It’s widely reported that the first “flex fuel” automobile able to run on either gasoline or ethanol was Henry Ford’s Model T. With hemp and other types of cellulosic biomass as the source instead of corn, Ford is quoted as saying that ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is “the fuel of the future” back in 1925. Well, [...]

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Science of Innovation: self-driving cars

Imagine glancing over to the next car during your commute and seeing the driver with a coffee in hand AND a magazine! Okay—some of you have already witnessed such stupidity—but in the near future none of us will give it a second thought. Instead we’ll all be figuring out how to spend that time because [...]

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Science of Innovation: Biometrics

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, security lines are here to stay. What if you could move through with just a sideways glance at a camera? That’s becoming a reality with the innovation highlighted in the latest installment of the “Science of Innovation” video series from the collaborative team of NBC Learn, USPTO, NSF, and NSTA. [...]

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Science of innovation: smart concrete

Scientists and engineers don’t necessarily start out to innovate, but unexpected things happen! This installment of the “Science of Innovation” video series describes how Dr. Deborah Chung, an expert in composite materials and structural science, was more-or-less “messing around” with materials just to see what would result. What Dr. Chung found could have a dramatic [...]

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Science of innovation: electronic tattoo

As we approach President’s Day, which comes on the heels of Abraham Lincoln’s actual birthday, thoughts turn to … patents. Yes, patents! Those of us on the development team for the Science of Innovation video series were certainly surprised to learn that Honest Abe is the only U.S. president to hold a patent—Patent No. 6,469, [...]

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Science of innovation: bionic limbs

Look to the “Science of Innovation” video series from the team of NSTA, NBC Learn, and NSF to jump start your STEM efforts. These videos are sparked by innovative technologies issued patents by the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Use them to expose your students to the innovation process. “Science of Innovation: Bionic Limbs” [...]

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Science of innovation: 3D printing

Imagine! Invent! Improve! Inspire! The “Science of…” series is back with a new twist—innovation. The “Science of Innovation” series highlights innovative technologies patented by some of the leading scientists and engineers in their fields. The United States Patent & Trademark Office joins the team of NSTA, NBC Learn, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to [...]

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