One key to saving the environment, improving our economy and reducing our dependence on foreign oil might just be sitting in your mother's medicine cabinet. Scientists have begun to combine infinitesimal particles of boric acid -- known primarily as a mild antiseptic and eye cleanser -- with traditional motor oils in order to improve their lubricity and by doing so increase energy efficiency.

Researchers have made strides in laser design, material growth and laser fabrication that have greatly increased the output power and wall-plug efficiency of quantum cascade lasers. They have demonstrated individual lasers, 300 of which can easily fit on a penny, emitting at wavelengths of 4.5 microns, capable of producing over 700 milliwatts of continuous output power at room temperature and more than one watt of output power at lower temperatures.