WTOP Radio Series Archive

description for WTOP new logoThe National Academy of Engineering works with the Washington, D.C. region's most listened-to radio station — the all-news format WTOP Radio — and the nation's only radio station specifically dedicated to covering news related to the federal government — WFED 1500 AM — to provide weekly features highlighting engineering innovations and stories that add technical context to issues in the news.description for Federal news radio small

These features are now available as podcasts. Find out how to subscribe.

Your comments and ideas are welcome. Please share them with Randy Atkins at atkins@nae.edu.

 

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    The Perfect Insulator
    Much of the world’s energy usage goes toward heating or cooling our buildings. But that could change if engineers are successful at making the perfect insulator.
    Date: January 15, 2017

    Resource Added: January 13, 2017

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    Climate Change Resolution
    Like a New Year’s resolution, deciding whether to do anything about climate change may boil down to human nature.
    Date: January 8, 2017

    Resource Added: January 5, 2017

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    Tracking the Flu with Twitter
    In the midst flu season, one option for keeping an eye on outbreaks could be social media.
    Date: January 1, 2017

    Resource Added: December 29, 2016

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    Santa the Engineer
    Well, Santa did it again! Against the odds, delivering all those presents last night. But maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised.
    Date: December 25, 2016

    Resource Added: December 22, 2016

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    Natural Flow
    If you’re replenishing a lot of Christmas tree water, you can thank the efficiency of flow from the trunk to its needles. Studying such natural flows can help engineers design things.
    Date: December 18, 2016

    Resource Added: December 16, 2016

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    Pharmacy on Demand
    Someday you might not need to worry about whether your medication is in stock…because it can be made on demand.
    Date: December 11, 2016

    Resource Added: December 9, 2016

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    Infrastructure and Climate Change
    The recent presidential campaigns focused a lot on improving our nation’s infrastructure, but hardly at all on climate change. The two issues may be more related than politicians think.
    Date: December 4, 2016

    Resource Added: December 2, 2016

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    Smart Traffic Signals
    Even the most sophisticated traffic signal timing systems only respond to local conditions, and might cause more harm than good on your drive home.
    Date: November 27, 2016

    Resource Added: November 21, 2016

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    Digital Age Cooking
    Thanksgiving dinner could one day go high tech. A digital revolution in cooking might make even the worst cook's food perfect every time.
    Date: November 20, 2016

    Resource Added: November 18, 2016

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    Battery Window
    Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power things like our cell phones, laptops, and cars. But, as you’ve probably heard, sometimes they can literally explode.
    Date: November 13, 2016

    Resource Added: November 11, 2016

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    Organic Architect
    You probably haven’t thought that the typical chair needs reinventing, but that’s one of many projects at a unique non-profit focused on smart urban structures.
    Date: November 6, 2016

    Resource Added: November 4, 2016

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    Shot in the Gut
    Your future flu shot could be as easy as swallowing a pill. One concept in development has a Halloween-like twist – the needles come out inside your body.
    Date: October 30, 2016

    Resource Added: October 28, 2016

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    New MacGyver
    A remake of the popular 1980s T-V show MacGyver is new on C-B-S this fall. Its creator says the show is about a hero whose superpower is his brain.
    Date: October 24, 2016

    Resource Added: October 20, 2016

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    Mini-Brain
    It sounds like the premise of a Halloween story…a lab growing thousands of mini brains. But the new technique actually holds the promise of curing diseases.
    Date: October 16, 2016

    Resource Added: October 14, 2016

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    Adaptation to Sea Level Rise
    Sea levels are rising and there’s a growing realization that we may not stop it. So, around the world, engineers are considering how to adapt.
    Date: October 9, 2016

    Resource Added: September 30, 2016

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    Microgrids
    The fear of hackers causing widespread power outages might be alleviated by innovations coming from Alaska.
    Date: September 25, 2016

    Resource Added: September 23, 2016

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    Social Media Unhappiness
    Does social media affect the happiness of its users? Recent findings suggest it does…and maybe not in a good way.
    Date: September 18, 2016

    Resource Added: September 16, 2016

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    Metal Foam
    Engineers have created a lightweight metal material that can be used as protection from bullets, crashes, and more.
    Date: September 11, 2016

    Resource Added: September 16, 2016

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    Global Challenges School
    On Tuesday, ninety students will begin a first-of-its-kind program at Alexandria’s Edison High School….that focuses on preparing them for real global challenges.
    Date: September 4, 2016

    Resource Added: September 2, 2016

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    Fire Whirl
    Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered a never-before-seen type of fire…which is – at the same time – dangerous, beautiful, and potentially useful.
    Date: August 28, 2016

    Resource Added: August 26, 2016

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