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  1. Tech

    Shape shifter shifts twice

    Certain plastics known as shape-memory polymers switch to predetermined shapes when triggered by heat or light. Now, researchers have developed more-versatile versions of such polymers. When heated, each of the new triple-shape polymers switches to a second shape. Then, at a higher temperature, the plastic changes to a third form. “For some applications, [these] more-complex […]

    By Peter Weiss
  2. Earth

    Rocking the House

    A recent test that simulated the effect of a magnitude-6.7 earthquake on a full-size, wood-frame townhouse may help engineers and analysts design more earthquake-resistant homes. With sound and video.

    By Sid Perkins
  3. Math

    Crafty Geometry

    By mastering traditional handicrafts such as knitting and crocheting, mathematicians are better able to understand complex surfaces.