General Electric's research centre in Schenectady in New York state is trying to make flexible ceramics.

ECONOMIST: Small wonders

The area took off in 1896, when the Roman-inspired aqueduct that brought water to the city centre was transformed into tracks for Rio's new electric tram, the bonde.

BBC: Bohemian Santa Teresa

Dr Benford reckons some of them could have built up an electric current as they moved through the strong magnetic field that pervades the centre of the galaxy.

ECONOMIST: Here be serpents

The German Aerospace Centre has tested this idea in an aircraft using a fuel cell to power two electric motors built into the hub of an aircraft nose wheel.

ECONOMIST: A cheaper, cleaner way for the long taxi to the runway