Superconductivity is a quantum physical state in which a metal is able to conduct electricity perfectly without any resistance. In its most familiar application, it enables powerful magnets in MRI machines to create the magnetic fields that allow doctors to se... More »
A NASA satellite designed to monitor Earth’s water has revealed previously uncharted underwater features with remarkable precision, thanks in part to technology developed at Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SW... More »
NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on Mars in 2021 to search for signs of ancient microbial life and to help scientists understand the planet’s climate and geography. But another key objective is to pave the way for human exploration of Mars, and as part of that... More »
In the aftermath of the fires that raged across Los Angeles County in January—and in particular the Eaton fire that burned through parts of Altadena and got close to NASA’s JPL, which is managed by Caltech—the Institute did what it does best: came together as ... More »
Over the last 150 years, humans have emitted over 2,000 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, increasing the CO2 concentration by 50 percent from pre-Industrial Revolution levels. While some of that carbon remains in the atmosphere or is absorb... More »
Increasing energy demands and problems associated with burning fossil fuels have heightened interest in more sustainable energy sources, such as sunlight. But there are still areas where carbon-based fuel remains the standard, such as in the aviation industry.... More »
Thomas Rosenbaum, President of Caltech and a renowned expert in quantum physics, will join Purdue University President Mung Chiang in April for a conversation about the emerging field of quantum technology. The event on Thursday, April 10, 6:30 p.m., will take... More »
In response to the Eaton fire that destroyed air quality monitoring equipment in Altadena, Caltech researchers have established a new PHOENIX network of particulate air quality sensors to provide residents and officials with real-time data on airborne dust lev... More »
High school students who spent weeks designing, assembling, and testing 125-pound rolling robots put their fast-moving creations into the ring over the weekend, facing off at the annual Los Angeles regional FIRST Robotics Competition, an event supported by NAS... More »
Imagine a heavy book resting on a table. If you try to gently push the book across the table with the tip of your finger, it may first appear to remain motionless—it needs a lot more force to start sliding visibly. Similarly, if you slowly start tilting the ta... More »
Global sea levels rose at a higher-than-anticipated rate in 2024, according to a NASA-led analysis that included significant contributions from researchers at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Communities in coastal areas such as F... More »
Recent uncharacteristic rainy weather spoiled original plans to host the 40th annual ME 72 Engineering Design Competition on Beckman Lawn. But the students of ME 72, their TAs, and instructors made the most of the change, hosting the capstone competition inste... More »
