In 2004, two scientists at the University of Manchester conducted a deceptively simple experiment with potentially world-changing consequences. The …
The Lost Art of True Damascus Steel
Damascus steel has a reputation for being the best. But is today's Damascus steel the same as that forged centuries ago? Learn about Damascus steel, tungsten and other cool materials and elements.

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You've probably stood over the bathroom sink or in the shower and wondered: How is it possible that your hair can dull a steel razor blade? Hair is …
It may look like something straight out of Westeros on "Game of Thrones," but the beautifully undulating lines that characterize Damascus steel have …
Armor-piercing bullets, rocket engine nozzles and drill bits for cutting through solid rock are just some of the products made with tungsten, one of …
What do your tummy ache cure, your eyeshadow and your home sprinkler system have in common? All three involve an iridescent metal called bismuth.