International Young Scientist Awards

In a groundbreaking development for space exploration and resource utilization, scientists and engineers have announced the successful testing of the world’s first functional asteroid mining prototype system. This milestone marks a significant step toward harnessing extraterrestrial resources to support both space missions and Earth’s growing industrial demands.   The prototype, developed through international collaboration among space agencies, private aerospace companies, and research institutions, demonstrates the ability to autonomously locate, extract, and process valuable minerals from asteroid-like materials in simulated space environments. Using advanced robotics, AI navigation systems, and laser-powered excavation tools, the technology can identify mineral-rich regions, drill with precision, and collect materials such as platinum, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements. Asteroid mining has long been considered a futuristic concept with enormous potential. Experts believe...

  Chemists have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in materials science by developing light-switchable magnets that can remain active for hours. This innovative class of magnetic materials is engineered to respond to light, offering a controllable and reversible way to manipulate magnetism without the need for constant external power sources. Traditional magnets rely on intrinsic atomic structures to maintain magnetic order, but these new photo-responsive magnets harness molecular-level design and light-induced electronic changes to achieve long-lasting magnetic states. The principle behind this innovation involves embedding photosensitive molecules into specially designed frameworks. When exposed to light of a specific wavelength , these molecules undergo structural and electronic transitions, which trigger and stabilize magnetism within the system. Unlike earlier attempts where light-induced magnetism quickly faded, this new approach allows the magnetic state to persist for ...

Fullerene-based materials have emerged as a unique class of carbon nanostructures with exceptional electronic, optical, and mechanical properties, making them highly promising for next-generation energy technologies. Self-assembly, a bottom-up strategy that relies on molecular recognition, van der Waals interactions, and supramolecular forces, provides an effective route to organize fullerenes into well-defined architectures with enhanced functionality. The ability of fullerenes to act as strong electron acceptors, combined with their tunable surface chemistry, enables the design of novel materials with tailored energy-harvesting and storage characteristics.   In energy-related applications, self-assembled fullerene derivatives play a vital role in organic photovoltaics, where they facilitate charge separation and transport, leading to improved power conversion efficiencies. Similarly, their integration in perovskite solar cells contributes to enhanced stability and efficiency by ...

In April 2024, Vermont was among the best places in the United States to enjoy the spectacular solar eclipse, drawing thousands of visitors and skywatchers who experienced the rare event under clear skies. For those who were captivated by this celestial wonder, the excitement does not stop there—another solar eclipse is on the horizon, and planning ahead will ensure you have the best view. The next major solar eclipse visible in North America will occur on August 12, 2026, followed by an even more dramatic one on August 23, 2044, and the highly anticipated August 12, 2045, which will be the longest solar eclipse in history. For the 2026 eclipse, parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain will offer the best vantage points, with totality lasting several minutes. While the eclipse will be visible as a partial eclipse across much of North America, traveling to these regions will provide the full awe-inspiring experience of totality. In the U.S., states like Maine and parts of the Northeast wi...

A recent incident involving a cargo ship en route to the International Space Station (ISS) has placed NASA in damage control mode after one of the spacecraft’s engines unexpectedly failed mid-journey. The resupply mission, designed to deliver critical equipment, research materials, and crew provisions, faced a major setback when telemetry data indicated an abrupt malfunction in one of the propulsion systems. Although the spacecraft maintained partial functionality and retained enough maneuvering capability to remain on its flight path, the failure has raised urgent concerns over spacecraft reliability, redundancy systems, and potential delays in ISS operations.   NASA’s mission control swiftly initiated contingency procedures, working with engineers and aerospace partners to assess whether the ship could continue its mission safely. Specialists are analyzing the root cause of the failure, ranging from mechanical faults to possible software or fuel system issues. In parallel, backup...

  Venus, often called Earth’s “sister planet” due to its similar size and composition, holds one of the most enigmatic surfaces in the Solar System. Unlike Earth, Venus is shrouded by thick clouds of sulfuric acid, making direct optical observation of its surface nearly impossible. For decades, scientists have relied on radar mapping from space missions such as NASA’s Magellan spacecraft, which in the early 1990s produced detailed radar images revealing vast volcanic plains, mountain ranges, and large coronae structures. These observations hinted that Venus is geologically active, but the exact nature of its surface remained mysterious. Recent studies suggest that the planet's extreme surface conditions—temperatures around 465°C and atmospheric pressure 92 times that of Earth—play a significant role in shaping its unique appearance. Unlike Earth’s plate tectonics-driven surface, Venus appears to lack the same large-scale plate boundary activity. Instead, its surface seems dominated...