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Author's Thoughts https://illumin.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sample-Illumin-Audio-Clip.m4a AbstractNearsightedness is a growing concern; however, new and innovative technologies now allow us to improve eyesight. In this article, we will explore corrective eye surgery, from how the eye works to how corrective eye surgeries are performed. Focusing on the latest advancement in laser eye surgery, Small

Abstract Nearsightedness is a growing concern; however, new and innovative technologies now allow us to improve eyesight. In this article, we will explore corrective eye surgery, from how the eye works to how corrective eye surgeries are performed. Focusing on the latest advancement in laser eye surgery, Small Incision Lenticule

Abstract Wood has played a central role in construction for centuries, offering strength, durability, and a natural aesthetic. However, while it has been primarily a structural material, a new approach could revolutionize the ways wood can be used. Transparent wood is a new variation formed by chemically removing the darker

Abstract: Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is a communication system that offers a direct pathway between the brain and an external device. BCI systems decode neural signals to enable the control of prosthetic limbs, assistive devices, computer interfaces and more. This technology is beginning to revolutionize the way that healthcare providers

Abstract Tracing its historical roots from European monarchs to modern-day pool halls, pool is a common pastime across the globe. But behind the various versions are the same engineer designs and physical laws that rule the game. The essential equipment—tables, balls, cues, and chalk—all have been carefully engineered. Additionally, the

Abstract Skipping a rock across a lake is not as simple as a casual observer might believe. The rock’s dancing motion results from complex dynamics that scientists are still struggling to understand. Empirical modeling published in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics suggests that to maximize the number of skips, a

Beneath the surface of everyday life lies a world of engineering and science that defines how we understand and engage with the world around us. In this issue, we dive into innovations and insights that investigate the dynamics between nature, physics, and cutting-edge technology. Our first article, Rock Skipping: A

Abstract The evolution, mechanisms, technological advancements, layouts, and social implications of escalators are present in the public space driven by engineering ingenuity. The early prototypes with refinement over time highlight the iterative nature of technological progress. Technology and standardization are specific, and intricate, and require many moving components, safety features,

City Life Turned on its Head I wonder how many hours each of us has spent behind the wheel of a car. Really, how many days have we spent navigating to the store, school, or wherever place where the only practical mode of transportation was a car? A study published

Abstract  Much of modern music production relies on the synthesizer. These are electronic music instruments that produce waveforms to create a rich variety of sound. This essay dives into how synthesizers are able to generate these sounds. We start from the very basics and discuss the science of sound, from

Abstract Website tracking methods such as third-party cookies and browser fingerprints enable companies to secretly collect user data for advertising and profiling. While some data collection brings convenience, unconsented and excessive tracking threatens privacy. This paper explains how third-party cookies transfer information between websites and how fingerprinting uniquely identifies devices.

American Public Transportation Sucks. Don’t worry, it’s not just you. For most Americans, public transportation is either inconvenient or entirely inaccessible. According to surveys conducted by the Department of Transportation, only 2% of Americans use public transit on their daily commute compared to an average of 10-20% in Western Europe.

Behind our daily navigation and interactions is the technology taking us from place to place and connecting us in the growing digital landscape. In this issue, we explore developments in technology taking us from one place to the next – through movement, across the web, and through music. Our first

Abstract What happens when man’s best friend meets man’s worst enemy? Engineering efforts into canine scent detection have laid the groundwork for  emerging disease diagnostic tools. A dog’s nose can sniff out cancerous organic compounds within a person. Olfactory screenings have revealed developments in cancer characterization that directly affect novel

Abstract The motion picture camera lies at the center of the film industry, but what lies inside this seemingly trivial invention? This modern device has its origins set in the fifth century BCE with the camera obscura – a dark room where light enters through a single pinhole – which

Keywords  Airplane, Lightning Protection, Faraday Cage, Materials Engineering, Conduction, Weather    Abstract  When aircraft manufacturers began to transition from using metals to using composite  materials, a new and significant flaw emerged in their designs – a deadly weakness to lightning.  A series of passenger plane crashes resulted in the engineering

Abstract The Global Positioning System (GPS) evolved from the limitations of Transit satellites. GPS uses satellite data for trilateration to determine our location. The signals emitted from satellites are very weak, and this makes receivers susceptible to GPS spoofing: tricking the receiver into believing it’s somewhere it isn’t. Alternatives are

Abstract: We often think of art and engineering as two distinct concepts – maybe even opposites. But the reality is that they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, in the world of fresco painting, chemistry and art intertwine to produce masterpieces that withstand the test of time and contribute to

Abstract: The world is in a mental health crisis in which the number of people who need mental health services far exceeds the amount of people who are able to provide it. One way to address this issue is through the use of therapy-based chatbots. Modern therapy-based chatbots utilize a

peeterv // Getty Images   Abstract Traffic light sensors have an important role in guiding motor vehicles and pedestrians safely to their destinations while also clearing traffic congestion as efficiently as possible. As roadway vehicles are the primary source of transportation in nearly every country, many engineers and scientists have

  Abstract Long-term exposure to rising environmental noise levels has detrimental health impacts. Active-noise cancellation (ANC), specifically ANC headphones, may provide a solution to alleviate the effects of noise on our lives. ANC employs a principle called superposition to add and effectively cancel two sound waves. ANC technology relies on

  Introduction Imagine taking off from the airport and flying across the world in one or two hours instead of twenty. This goal has inspired some of the most tantalizing innovations in the modern age. The thrill of seeing a fighter jet take off and zoom across the sky, disappearing

Abstract The molecule in humans that pigments our physical features, called eumelanin, has been known to have electrical properties. Now with advanced technology, there have been groundbreaking studies that have resulted in forms of melanin that have practical conductivity levels. Researchers suggest that the superconductive and semiconductive properties of the