William Nicoll Staffwriter

Class of 2007

Articles

  • How Things Work: Nootropics

    Every few weeks at Carnegie Mellon University, hell rolls around. It comes in the form of three exams, two problem sets, a research paper, and a group presentation — all in the span of five horrible days. At times like these, we all feel like we could use a boost to our brainpower. If it were as easy as a pill, would you do it?

    SciTech | April 10, 2006
  • How Things Work: Magnetic Induction Cooktops

    When making dinner, do your ingredients come in microwave-ready pouches? Do you prepare dinner in 30 seconds or less? If so, then stop reading. You’re not welcome here.

    SciTech | February 27, 2006
  • How Things Work: Aerogel

    Welcome to a whole new year of How Things Work! Being mindful of your break-induced lack of mental acuity, I’ve decided to write about something simple: nothing! Specifically, I’m referring to aerogels, the world’s least dense solids. To put that into perspective, the newspaper you are holding is about 200 times denser than most aerogels.

    SciTech | January 23, 2006
  • How Things Work: Tattoos

    There are a few things in life that mothers don?t want you to return home with. Among them: bad grades, black eyes, and tattoos. Love them or hate them, tattoos are becoming more popular every year. A 2003 Harris poll found that about 16 percent of the U.S. population was tattooed, up from six percent in the 1930s.
    Their popularity, however, is not new. Man has been tattooing himself for a long t...

    SciTech | November 7, 2005
  • How Things Work: Political Asylum
    SciTech | October 10, 2005