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Wednesday

Scientists Say Their Giant Laser Has Produced Nuclear Fusion

The National Ignition Facility's 192 laser beams focus onto a tiny target. LLNL hide caption

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LLNL

The Two-Way

Scientists Say Their Giant Laser Has Produced Nuclear Fusion

Researchers from California's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory say they've figured out how to get their laser to squeeze hydrogen atoms together to make helium atoms, releasing energy in the process. It's an important step in the decades-long quest for fusion energy.

Scientists Say Their Giant Laser Has Produced Nuclear Fusion

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Thursday

Thursday

Tennessee Valley Authority To Close Several Coal-Fired Plants

An air-monitoring station near the TVA Kingston Fossil Plant in Kingston, Tenn. Stations such as this one are used to monitor clean-air compliance of TVA coal-fired plants. Wade Payne/AP hide caption

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Wade Payne/AP

The Two-Way

Tennessee Valley Authority To Close Several Coal-Fired Plants

Citing stricter environmental regulations and flat demand for power, the nation's largest public utility says it will shutter six in Alabama and replace two in Kentucky with a single natural gas plant.

Tuesday

Are Scientists Naive About Politics?

We face real-world decisions now about everything from sea level rise, to energy infrastructure to what food is best for you. Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Are Scientists Naive About Politics?

Science, politics and policy often make for a wicked mix, says commentator Adam Frank. Understanding each for what it really is should help put us on the path to making better decisions for our future.

Thursday

Wednesday

Monday

Climate Change Revisited: It Isn't Just For Natural Scientists Anymore

Wind generators at Pacific Hydro's Cape Bridgewater wind farm in Warrnambool, Australia, in May 2012. Each generator produces roughly enough energy to meet the annual needs of 12,000 households. Mark Dadswell/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Dadswell/Getty Images

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Climate Change Revisited: It Isn't Just For Natural Scientists Anymore

What role is there for social scientists in addressing climate change? Commentator Tania Lombrozo follows up her interview with Stephan Lewandowsky with some psychologically motivated suggestions.

Monday

Monday

Spain Expands Renewables With Wave-Powered Electricity Plant

Residents of Mutriku, a fishing village on Spain's northern coast, lounge at their local beach, protected from fierce Atlantic waves by a cement breakwater that also houses Europe's first wave energy plant. Lauren Frayer for NPR hide caption

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Lauren Frayer for NPR

All Tech Considered

Spain Expands Renewables With Wave-Powered Electricity Plant

The Bay of Biscay, off Spain's northern coast, is notorious for its huge surf, which has claimed countless lives in shipwrecks over the centuries. Now Spanish engineers have found a way to harness the power of those big waves to produce electricity.

Spain Expands Renewables With Wave-Powered Electricity Plant

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Monday

By 2020, United States Will Become World's Leading Oil Producer, Says IEA

Austin Mitchell walks away from an oil derrick outside Williston, N.D., in July 2011. North Dakota is now the No. 2 producer of oil in the U.S. behind Texas. Gregory Bull/AP hide caption

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Gregory Bull/AP

The Two-Way

By 2020, United States Will Become World's Leading Oil Producer, Says IEA

Right now the U.S. imports about 20 percent of its energy, but the International Energy Agency predicts a dramatic turnaround. Energy independence, however, doesn't necessarily mean cheap gas.

Friday

Energy Independence Wouldn't Make Gasoline Any Cheaper
Friedemann Vogel/Getty Images

Planet Money

Energy Independence Wouldn't Make Gasoline Any Cheaper

If you don't believe me, just ask Canada. They produce more oil than they can use — and they pay just as much as we do.

Energy Independence Wouldn't Make Gasoline Any Cheaper

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Monday

Wednesday

Monday

Tuesday

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Physics And Cities: View From The Street

Cities are defined, in large part, by physics. It may not be obvious at first glance. But look closer and you'll see evidence everywhere that humans have used their understanding of physics to design and build the machines we call cities.

Physics And Cities: View From The Street

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