research paper on popular mechanics

“Popular Mechanics” by Raymond Carver Review Essay

Changing weather, picture of the baby, the flowerpot.

The short story “Popular Mechanics” by Raymond Carver is centered around a recently divorced couple who fight over their single baby child. The story contains three major symbols, which are changing weather outside, the mother’s picking up the baby’s picture, and the breaking of a flowerpot. The message of Carver’s work is focused on the sacrifice of non-compromise, which means that if two parties are not willing to give up something to reach a compromise, the sacrifices will be taken from elsewhere. In the case of the story, the sacrifice was the baby, the most precious individual in both parents’ lives.

The story begins with a detailed description of the weather outside the house. The author writes, “early that day the weather turned, and the snow was melting into dirty water. Streaks of it ran down from the little shoulder-high window that faced the backyard” (Carver 277). In other words, the author uses the description of the external environment in order to set the overall mood and feel of the story. He also writes, “cars slushed by on the street outside, where it was getting dark. But it was getting dark on the inside too” (Carver 277). Therefore, the symbol of changing weather also foreshadows the fact that the story will be dark as well.

The interaction of the two parents begins with the father’s disinterest in the mother, while the latter emotionally expresses her thoughts on his leave. The second symbol is the picture of the baby, which is taken by the mother. The author writes, “then she noticed the baby’s picture on the bed and picked it up. He looked at her, and she wiped her eyes and stared at him before turning and going back to the living room” (Carver 277). In other words, after both parties expressed their attitudes and perceptions of each other, the picture was a reminder of the fact that the baby is the only thing that connects them, even if they are unwilling to be together. The father does not acknowledge the mother, while the latter is hateful of the former, but their child is what binds them together.

The last symbol is a flowerpot, which breaks as a result of the parents’ fight with each other. The author writes, “the baby was red-faced and screaming. In the scuffle they knocked down a flowerpot that hung behind the stove” (Carver 277). The flowerpot foreshadows the ending of the story, where it is implied that the baby is fatally hurt or killed due to the selfishness of the parents. As in real life, it is impossible to point out which particular parent is blameworthy of a child’s death, but it is clear that both of them were selfish enough not to let go of the baby. A truly loving parent would have released his or her grip on a child, especially since both understood how irrational and incompetent the other parent is, which evidently led to their divorce.

In conclusion, Carver’s short story is a universally applicable and relatable message on the concept of compromise. Although the narrative presents an extreme outcome, such as the death of a baby, its implications encompass a multitude of daily situations. An individual can make sacrifices he or she is willing to make, or life and fate make the sacrifices for them in places, which can be the dearest of all.

Carver, Raymond. Popular Mechanics . PopMech, 1981.

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IvyPanda. (2023, November 2). "Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver Review. https://ivypanda.com/essays/popular-mechanics-by-raymond-carver-review/

""Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver Review." IvyPanda , 2 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/popular-mechanics-by-raymond-carver-review/.

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IvyPanda . 2023. ""Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver Review." November 2, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/popular-mechanics-by-raymond-carver-review/.

1. IvyPanda . ""Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver Review." November 2, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/popular-mechanics-by-raymond-carver-review/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . ""Popular Mechanics" by Raymond Carver Review." November 2, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/popular-mechanics-by-raymond-carver-review/.

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The Unique Perspective of "Popular Mechanics"

How Raymond Carver's unique storytelling perspective supports the theme of "Popular Mechanics". In-class essay for my Short Story 12 class. Written in 40 minutes.

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'Popular Mechanics' Analysis

Understanding Raymond Carver's Short Story About Disagreement

• Short Stories
• Best Sellers
• Classic Literature
• Plays & Drama
• Shakespeare
• Children's Books
• Ph.D., English, State University of New York at Albany
• B.A., English, Brown University

"Popular Mechanics," a very short story by Raymond Carver. It was included in Carver's 1981 collection called "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" and later appeared under the title "Little Things" in his 1988 collection, "Where I'm Calling From."

"Popular Mechanics" describes an argument between a man and a woman that rapidly escalates into a physical struggle over their baby.

Meaning of the Title

The title of the story refers to a long-running magazine for technology and engineering enthusiasts of the same name.

The implication is that the way the man and woman handle their differences is widespread or typical—that is, popular. The man, woman, and baby don't even have names, which emphasizes their role as universal archetypes. They could be anyone; they are everyone.

The word "mechanics" shows that this is a story about the process of disagreeing more than it is about the outcome of those disagreements. Nowhere is this more evident than in the final line of the story:

"In this manner, the issue was decided."

We're never told explicitly what happens to the baby, so it's possible that one parent managed to wrest the baby successfully from the other. However, the parents have already knocked down a flowerpot, a bit of foreshadowing that doesn't bode well for the baby. The last thing we see is the parents tightening their grip on the baby and pulling back hard in opposite directions.

The parents' actions couldn't have failed to injure him, and if the issue has been "decided," it suggests that the struggle is over. It seems most likely, then, that the baby was killed.

Intentional Wording

The use of passive voice in the final sentence is chilling, as it fails to assign anyone responsibility for the outcome. Additionally, the words "manner," "issue," and "was decided" have a clinical, impersonal feel, focusing again on the mechanics of the situation rather than the humans involved.

But the reader won't be able to avoid noticing that if these are the mechanics we choose to employ, real people do get hurt. After all, "issue" can also be a synonym for "offspring." Because of the mechanics the parents choose to engage in, this child is "decided."

The Wisdom of Solomon

The struggle over a baby echoes the story of the Judgment of Solomon in the book of 1 Kings in the Bible.

In this story, two women arguing over ownership of a baby bring their case to King Solomon for resolution. Solomon offers to cut the baby in half for them. The false mother agrees, but the real mother says she'd rather see her baby go to the wrong person than see it killed. Because of this woman's selflessness, Solomon recognizes that she is the real mother and awards her custody of the child.

Escalations and 'Winning'

Unfortunately, there is no selfless parent in Carver's story. At first, it appears that the father wants only a photo of the baby, but when the mother sees it, she takes it away. She doesn't want him to have even that.

Angered by her taking the photo, he escalates his demands and insists on taking the actual baby. Again, he doesn't really seem to want it; he just doesn't want the mother to have it. They even argue about whether they're hurting the baby, but they seem less concerned with the truth of their statements than with the opportunity to hurl accusations at one another.

During the story, the baby changes from a person referred to as "him" to an object referred to as "it." Just before the parents make their final pull on the baby, Carver writes:

"She would have it, this baby."

The parents want only to win, and their definition of "winning" hinges entirely on their opponent's losing. It's a grim view of human nature, and one may wonder how King Solomon would have dealt with these two parents.

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Top 150 Mechanical Engineering Research Topics [Updated]

Mechanical engineering is an intriguing discipline that holds significant sway in shaping our world. With a focus on crafting inventive machinery and fostering sustainable energy initiatives, mechanical engineers stand as pioneers in driving technological progress. However, to make meaningful contributions to the field, researchers must carefully choose their topics of study. In this blog, we’ll delve into various mechanical engineering research topics, ranging from fundamental principles to emerging trends and interdisciplinary applications.

How to Select Mechanical Engineering Research Topics?

Table of Contents

Selecting the right mechanical engineering research topics is crucial for driving impactful innovation and addressing pressing challenges. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you choose the best research topics:

• Identify Your Interests: Start by considering your passions and areas of expertise within mechanical engineering. What topics excite you the most? Choosing a subject that aligns with your interests will keep you motivated throughout the research process.
• Assess Current Trends: Stay updated on the latest developments and trends in mechanical engineering. Look for emerging technologies, pressing industry challenges, and areas with significant research gaps. These trends can guide you towards relevant and timely research topics.
• Conduct Literature Review: Dive into existing literature and research papers within your field of interest. Identify gaps in knowledge, unanswered questions, or areas that warrant further investigation. Building upon existing research can lead to more impactful contributions to the field.
• Consider Practical Applications: Evaluate the practical implications of potential research topics. How will your research address real-world problems or benefit society? Choosing topics with tangible applications can increase the relevance and impact of your research outcomes.
• Consult with Advisors and Peers: Seek guidance from experienced mentors, advisors, or peers in the field of mechanical engineering. Discuss your research interests and potential topics with them to gain valuable insights and feedback. Their expertise can help you refine your ideas and select the most promising topics.
• Define Research Objectives: Clearly define the objectives and scope of your research. What specific questions do you aim to answer or problems do you intend to solve? Establishing clear research goals will guide your topic selection process and keep your project focused.
• Consider Resources and Constraints: Take into account the resources, expertise, and time available for your research. Choose topics that are feasible within your constraints and align with your available resources. Balancing ambition with practicality is essential for successful research endeavors.
• Brainstorm and Narrow Down Options: Generate a list of potential research topics through brainstorming and exploration. Narrow down your options based on criteria such as relevance, feasibility, and alignment with your interests and goals. Choose the most promising topics that offer ample opportunities for exploration and discovery.
• Seek Feedback and Refinement: Once you’ve identified potential research topics, seek feedback from colleagues, advisors, or experts in the field. Refine your ideas based on their input and suggestions. Iteratively refining your topic selection process will lead to a more robust and well-defined research proposal.
• Stay Flexible and Open-Minded: Remain open to new ideas and opportunities as you progress through the research process. Be willing to adjust your research topic or direction based on new insights, challenges, or discoveries. Flexibility and adaptability are key qualities for successful research endeavors in mechanical engineering.

By following these steps and considering various factors, you can effectively select mechanical engineering research topics that align with your interests, goals, and the needs of the field.

Top 50 Mechanical Engineering Research Topics For Beginners

• Analysis of the efficiency of different heat exchanger designs.
• Optimization of airfoil shapes for enhanced aerodynamic performance.
• Investigation of renewable energy harvesting using piezoelectric materials.
• Development of smart materials for adaptive structures in aerospace applications.
• Study of vibration damping techniques for improving vehicle ride comfort.
• Design and optimization of suspension systems for off-road vehicles.
• Analysis of fluid flow characteristics in microchannels for cooling electronics.
• Evaluation of the performance of different brake systems in automotive vehicles.
• Development of lightweight materials for automotive and aerospace industries.
• Investigation of the effects of friction stir welding parameters on joint properties.
• Design and testing of a small-scale wind turbine for rural electrification.
• Study of the dynamics of flexible multibody systems in robotics.
• Development of a low-cost prosthetic limb using 3D printing technology.
• Analysis of heat transfer in electronic packaging for thermal management.
• Investigation of energy harvesting from vehicle suspension systems.
• Design and optimization of heat sinks for electronic cooling applications.
• Study of material degradation in composite structures under various loading conditions.
• Development of bio-inspired robotic mechanisms for locomotion.
• Investigation of the performance of regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles.
• Design and analysis of an autonomous agricultural robot for crop monitoring.
• Optimization of gas turbine blade profiles for improved efficiency.
• Study of the aerodynamics of animal-inspired flying robots (bio-drones).
• Development of advanced control algorithms for robotic manipulators.
• Analysis of wear mechanisms in mechanical components under different operating conditions.
• Investigation of the efficiency of solar water heating systems.
• Design and optimization of microfluidic devices for biomedical applications.
• Study of the effects of additive manufacturing parameters on part quality.
• Development of assistive devices for individuals with disabilities.
• Analysis of the performance of different types of bearings in rotating machinery.
• Investigation of the feasibility of using shape memory alloys in actuator systems.
• Design and optimization of a compact heat exchanger for space applications.
• Study of the effects of surface roughness on friction and wear in sliding contacts.
• Development of energy-efficient HVAC systems for buildings.
• Analysis of the performance of different types of fuel cells for power generation.
• Investigation of the feasibility of using biofuels in internal combustion engines.
• Design and testing of a micro-scale combustion engine for portable power generation.
• Study of the mechanics of soft materials for biomedical applications.
• Development of exoskeletons for rehabilitation and assistance in mobility.
• Analysis of the effects of vehicle aerodynamics on fuel consumption.
• Investigation of the potential of ocean wave energy harvesting technologies.
• Design and optimization of energy-efficient refrigeration systems.
• Study of the dynamics of flexible structures subjected to dynamic loads.
• Development of sensors and actuators for structural health monitoring.
• Analysis of the performance of different cooling techniques in electronics.
• Investigation of the potential of hydrogen fuel cells for automotive applications.
• Design and testing of a small-scale hydroelectric power generator.
• Study of the mechanics of cellular materials for impact absorption.
• Development of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for environmental monitoring.
• Analysis of the efficiency of different propulsion systems in space exploration.
• Investigation of the potential of micro-scale energy harvesting technologies for powering wireless sensors.

Top 50 Mechanical Engineering Research Topics For Intermediate

• Optimization of heat exchanger designs for enhanced energy efficiency.
• Investigating the effects of surface roughness on fluid flow in microchannels.
• Development of lightweight materials for automotive applications.
• Modeling and simulation of combustion processes in internal combustion engines.
• Design and analysis of novel wind turbine blade configurations.
• Study of advanced control strategies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• Analysis of wear and friction in mechanical components under varying operating conditions.
• Investigation of thermal management techniques for high-power electronic devices.
• Development of smart materials for shape memory alloys in actuator applications.
• Design and fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for biomedical applications.
• Optimization of additive manufacturing processes for metal 3D printing.
• Study of fluid-structure interaction in flexible marine structures.
• Analysis of fatigue behavior in composite materials for aerospace applications.
• Development of energy harvesting technologies for sustainable power generation.
• Investigation of bio-inspired robotics for locomotion in challenging environments.
• Study of human factors in the design of ergonomic workstations.
• Design and control of soft robots for delicate manipulation tasks.
• Development of advanced sensor technologies for condition monitoring in rotating machinery.
• Analysis of aerodynamic performance in hypersonic flight vehicles.
• Study of regenerative braking systems for electric vehicles.
• Optimization of cooling systems for high-performance computing (HPC) applications.
• Investigation of fluid dynamics in microfluidic devices for lab-on-a-chip applications.
• Design and optimization of passive and active vibration control systems.
• Analysis of heat transfer mechanisms in nanofluids for thermal management.
• Development of energy-efficient HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems.
• Study of biomimetic design principles for robotic grippers and manipulators.
• Investigation of hydrodynamic performance in marine propeller designs.
• Development of autonomous agricultural robots for precision farming.
• Analysis of wind-induced vibrations in tall buildings and bridges.
• Optimization of material properties for additive manufacturing of aerospace components.
• Study of renewable energy integration in smart grid systems.
• Investigation of fracture mechanics in brittle materials for structural integrity assessment.
• Development of wearable sensors for human motion tracking and biomechanical analysis.
• Analysis of combustion instability in gas turbine engines.
• Optimization of thermal insulation materials for building energy efficiency.
• Study of fluid-structure interaction in flexible wing designs for unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Investigation of heat transfer enhancement techniques in heat exchanger surfaces.
• Development of microscale actuators for micro-robotic systems.
• Analysis of energy storage technologies for grid-scale applications.
• Optimization of manufacturing processes for lightweight automotive structures.
• Study of tribological behavior in lubricated mechanical systems.
• Investigation of fault detection and diagnosis techniques for industrial machinery.
• Development of biodegradable materials for sustainable packaging applications.
• Analysis of heat transfer in porous media for thermal energy storage.
• Optimization of control strategies for robotic manipulation tasks in uncertain environments.
• Study of fluid dynamics in fuel cell systems for renewable energy conversion.
• Investigation of fatigue crack propagation in metallic alloys.
• Development of energy-efficient propulsion systems for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
• Analysis of airflow patterns in natural ventilation systems for buildings.
• Optimization of material selection for additive manufacturing of biomedical implants.

Top 50 Mechanical Engineering Research Topics For Advanced

• Development of advanced materials for high-temperature applications
• Optimization of heat exchanger design using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
• Control strategies for enhancing the performance of micro-scale heat transfer devices
• Multi-physics modeling and simulation of thermoelastic damping in MEMS/NEMS devices
• Design and analysis of next-generation turbofan engines for aircraft propulsion
• Investigation of advanced cooling techniques for electronic devices in harsh environments
• Development of novel nanomaterials for efficient energy conversion and storage
• Optimization of piezoelectric energy harvesting systems for powering wireless sensor networks
• Investigation of microscale heat transfer phenomena in advanced cooling technologies
• Design and optimization of advanced composite materials for aerospace applications
• Development of bio-inspired materials for impact-resistant structures
• Exploration of advanced manufacturing techniques for producing complex geometries in aerospace components
• Integration of artificial intelligence algorithms for predictive maintenance in rotating machinery
• Design and optimization of advanced robotics systems for industrial automation
• Investigation of friction and wear behavior in advanced lubricants for high-speed applications
• Development of smart materials for adaptive structures and morphing aircraft wings
• Exploration of advanced control strategies for active vibration damping in mechanical systems
• Design and analysis of advanced wind turbine blade designs for improved energy capture
• Investigation of thermal management solutions for electric vehicle batteries
• Development of advanced sensors for real-time monitoring of structural health in civil infrastructure
• Optimization of additive manufacturing processes for producing high-performance metallic components
• Investigation of advanced corrosion-resistant coatings for marine applications
• Design and analysis of advanced hydraulic systems for heavy-duty machinery
• Exploration of advanced filtration technologies for water purification and wastewater treatment
• Development of advanced prosthetic limbs with biomimetic functionalities
• Investigation of microscale fluid flow phenomena in lab-on-a-chip devices for medical diagnostics
• Optimization of heat transfer in microscale heat exchangers for cooling electronics
• Development of advanced energy-efficient HVAC systems for buildings
• Exploration of advanced propulsion systems for space exploration missions
• Investigation of advanced control algorithms for autonomous vehicles in complex environments
• Development of advanced surgical robots for minimally invasive procedures
• Optimization of advanced suspension systems for improving vehicle ride comfort and handling
• Investigation of advanced materials for 3D printing in aerospace manufacturing
• Development of advanced thermal barrier coatings for gas turbine engines
• Exploration of advanced wear-resistant coatings for cutting tools in machining applications
• Investigation of advanced nanofluids for enhanced heat transfer in cooling applications
• Development of advanced biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• Exploration of advanced actuators for soft robotics applications
• Investigation of advanced energy storage systems for grid-scale applications
• Development of advanced rehabilitation devices for individuals with mobility impairments
• Exploration of advanced materials for earthquake-resistant building structures
• Investigation of advanced aerodynamic concepts for reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency in vehicles
• Development of advanced microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for biomedical applications
• Exploration of advanced control strategies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Investigation of advanced materials for lightweight armor systems
• Development of advanced prosthetic interfaces for improving user comfort and functionality
• Exploration of advanced algorithms for autonomous navigation of underwater vehicles
• Investigation of advanced sensors for detecting and monitoring air pollution
• Development of advanced energy harvesting systems for powering wireless sensor networks
• Exploration of advanced concepts for next-generation space propulsion systems.

Mechanical engineering research encompasses a wide range of topics, from fundamental principles to cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary applications. By choosing the right mechanical engineering research topics and addressing key challenges, researchers can contribute to advancements in various industries and address pressing global issues. As we look to the future, the possibilities for innovation and discovery in mechanical engineering are endless, offering exciting opportunities to shape a better world for generations to come.

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Our open access Journals in Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics cover topics such as Modelling and Simulation, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Friction, Mechanics of Advanced Materials, and Visualization in Engineering, to name a few.  Find a list of all journals here: 

Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Sciences

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Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

CJME mainly contains articles which study the basic theories and their applications in the field of mechanical engineering. 

The journal covers all aspects of theoretical and experimental research works related to friction, lubrication, wear, surface engineering and basic sciences. 

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International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

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5 tips to enhance your research paper’s visibility and altmetric score.

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I previously wrote about the importance of attracting public attention to scientific research . In today’s world, where billions of people are attached to their digital devices watching the very addictive but often useless TikTok content or receiving instant gratification by engaging in meaningless debates about celebrities, scientists need to find creative ways to have their research noticed. Popularizing scientific research helps inspire the younger generations to go into science and provide the general public with a sense of optimism enabling the government to channel more resources into science. People do need inspiration. But very often, even very important scientific breakthroughs requiring many years, hard work, skill, funding, and genuine serendipity go largely unnoticed by the general public.

One of the best ways to measure expert and public attention is the cumulative Altmetric Attention Score , originally developed by Digital Science and adopted by many prestigious publishers, including Nature Publishing Group. Every Nature paper and the papers published by pretty much every credible publisher are tracked by Digital Science by the Document Object Identification (DOI) or the Unique Resource Locator (URL) . While Altmetric has many limitations, for example, it does not track LinkedIn posts and may not adequately cover the impact of top-tier media coverage, at the moment it is the blueprint for tracking attention.

Altmetric Score in The Age of Generative AI

Media attention is likely to be very important in the age of generative AI. Many modern generative systems, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Mistral, and Gemini, as well as hundreds of Large Language Models (LLMs) in China, use the data from the same sources referenced in Altmetric to learn. The more times generative systems see the same concept presented in different contexts, the better they learn. So if you want to contribute to the training of AI systems that may thank you for it in the future - Altmetric is the way to go.

So what can a research group do to ensure they are communicating their findings effectively and increasing the visibility of their research to ensure it gets reflected in the Altmetric Attention Score?

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Altmetric openly discloses the weights of the various sources and the scoring algorithm is relatively straightforward. It is easy to learn, and there are multiple online resources providing advice on how to share your research in ways that will be captured by Altmetric. Cambridge University Press published a guideline to Altmetric for the authors on how to popularize their research with Altmetric in mind. Wolters Kluwer put out a guide and the editor of Toxicology and Pathology wrote a comprehensive overview of Altmetric and how to use it. Surprisingly, this overview got an Altmetric Attention Score of only 4 at the time of the writing, but was cited 137 times according to Google Scholar .

Altmetric monitors social networks, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Reddit; all major top-tier mainstream media, mainstream science blogs, policy documents, patents, Wikipedia articles, peer review websites, F1000, Syllabi, X (formerly Twitter), tracked Facebook pages, Reddit, one of the Stack Exchange sites, and Youtube. Unfortunately, several powerful platforms, including LinkedIn, are not currently tracked.

The popularity of the paper depends on many factors. Firstly, it has to be novel, trendy, and newsworthy. You are unlikely to get high Altmetric Score with a boring topic. Secondly, papers coming out of popular labs in top-tier academic institutions and in top journals are likely to attract more attention. Often, the communications officers in these academic institutions work closely with the media to amplify notable research. Celebrity companies, for example, Google DeepMind, consistently get higher coverage.

Screenshot of the Altmetric Attention Score "Flower" showing several tracked sources

Here are the five tips for increasing the visibility of your work and ensuring that reach is tracked and reflected by Altmetric:

1. Understand How Altmetric System Works

Congratulations, if you read this article and looked at what sources are tracked by Altmetric. Most likely, you got the basics and will be able to get a “balanced flower” by making a press release, tweeting the DOI of the paper on X, posting a video overview of your paper on Youtube, announcing on Reddit (I still need to learn how to do this).

To understand how Altmetric works, I emailed a few questions to Miguel Garcia, Director of Product and Data Analytics Hub at Digital Science and my first question was wether the Altmetric algorithm is open source. “The Altmetric Attention Score's calculation is not open source but we try to provide as much information as possible around how we calculate it here, and are currently considering what steps we might take to make our algorithms more transparent.” He also provided a link to how the Altmetric Attention Score is calculated.

Many professionals use LinkedIn as the primary social media resource and I was wondering why Altmetric stopped tracking it. Bad news - technical reasons prevent tracking DOIs on LinkedIn. Good news - they are actively seeking ways to appropriately track mentions on LinkedIn and we may see some news toward the end of the year.

My other big question was how does Altmetric count tweets and retweets on X. What if there are many posts from the same account? Miguel’s response was: “Re-tweets count less than original tweets. In addition to that, modifiers are applied to the type of account that is tweeting in order to reduce the weight of the tweet in situations where we find signals of bias or promiscuity (for example a journal publisher only tweeting their own articles). Besides that, we have conditions around the maximum number of retweets in order to limit the maximum impact they would have.”

So tweeting the article many times will not help you. But if other scientists tweet you paper with a DOI - these tweets will get counted. So tweet others as you would like to be tweeted.

2. Make a Press Release and Distribute to Science-focused Media

If your paper is significant, for example, you elucidated novel disease biology, discovered a new drug, developed a new fancy algorithm, designed a new material, or developed a new application for a quantum computer, it is worthwhile investing some time and resources in writing a press release. If you are working for an academic institution, most likely they have a communications office that will help you. If you do not have this luxury, you will need to learn how to write a press release. Plenty of free online guides cover the basics of press release writing. And press releases are one area where ChatGPT and other generative tools do surprisingly well. Upload your paper and ask it to write a press release, check for errors or exaggerations, edit, and you are ready to go. Just make sure to include the DOI and the URL of your paper. A proper business press release on BusinessWire or PRNewswire may cost several thousand dollars. In my opinion, these resources are dramatically overcharging while providing little service. I don't remember a case where a journalist picked up our news based on a commercial press release. But these releases are often reposted by other online press release distributors and the boost to Altmetric may be considerable. The default news release distribution service for research news is EurekAlert. This resource may sometimes result in journalistic coverage as many reporters are using it for science news. There are many free resources you can use if you do not have any budget.

Once the press release is issued, share it with the media. Share the resulting news coverage via your social networks and contacts. Many journalists track the popularity of their news articles and giving them several thousand extra views from professional audience and increasing their social following increases the chances that they will cover the next important research paper.

3. Make a Blog Post

Writing a blog post can be longer and more comprehensive than the press release. Make sure to add fancy diagrams and graphical explainers. You can share the blog post with the journalists at the same time as the press release. Your blog may serve as a source of inspiration for third party news coverage. Make sure to reference the DOI and URL of your paper.

If your paper is in one of the Nature journals, consider writing a “Behind the Paper" blog post on Nature Bioengineering Community. Surprisingly, these blogs are rarely picked up by Altmetric but may serve as a source of inspiration for the journalists and social media influencers. Plus, it is a resource by the Nature Publishing Group.

4. Tweet and Ask Your Team Members to Tweet

Each post on X gives you a quarter of an Altmetric point. If your paper goes viral on X, your Altmetric score can be considerable. Plus, once journalists notice that it went viral, they will be more likely to cover the story, further increasing the score.

Try to choose the time of the post, the hashtags, and the images wisely. Since Elon Musk took over X and opened the algorithm it became very transparent and easy to optimize for. Here are the top 10 tips for boosting attention for a post on X. Make sure to include the DOI or the URL of the paper for Altmetric to find the post.

5. Experiment, Learn, Repeat

My highest Altmetric Attention Score core to date was around 1,500 for a paper in Nature Biotechnology published in 2019, where we used a novel method for designing small molecules called Generative Tensorial Reinforcement Learning (GENTRL) to generate new molecules with druglike properties that got synthesized and tested all the way into mice. In 2024, we went further and showed that an AI-generated molecule for an AI-discovered target was tested all the way up to Phase II human trials, but the paper published in Nature Biotechnology, let’s call it the TNIK paper , has achieved a score ofjust over 600 to date. So what has changed and what can we learn from these two papers?

The popularity of the paper depends on many factors. Ones which capture the public imagination or have widespread appeal are of course, much more likely to gain traction online. When we published the GENTRL paper in 2019, Generative AI was in its infancy, and there are pretty much no other companies that I heard of at the intersection of generative AI and drug discovery. We also published multiple articles in this field in the years leading to that paper and many key opinion leaders (KOLs) followed us. That following included a small army of generative AI skeptics who not only contributed to multiple rejections in peer-reviewed journals but also openly criticized this approach in social networks. This criticism also helped boost the Altmetric Score and bring more attention to the study. So first learning from this exercise - negative publicity helps overall publicity. As long as you are certain that your research results are honest - leave room for criticism and even help expose your paper’s weaknesses. Critics are your greatest Altmetric boosters. Since readers and, by extension journalists, react to negative news and drama stronger than to positive news, critical reviews will boost your Altmetric as long as the DOI or URL of the paper is properly referenced.

Secondly, papers coming out of popular labs in top-tier academic institutions and in top journals are likely to attract more attention. Often, the communications officers in these academic institutions work closely with the media to amplify notable research. Celebrity companies, for example, Google DeepMind, always get a higher level of coverage. For example, the AlphaFold paper published in July 2021 in Nature got an Altmetric Attention Score of over 3,500 . Even though I have not seen any drugs out of AlphaFold reaching preclinical candidate status, I predict the popularity of this tool will result in the first Nobel Prize in this area. Therefore, in order to become famous and popularize your research more effectively, it is a good idea to build up the public profile of yourself and your work. For example, Kardashians are famous for being famous .

Be careful with Wikipedia. I made a mistake explaining the importance of Wikipedia to students when lecturing on the future of generative AI, and one or two of them got banned for expanding the articles with paper references. Wikipedia requires that these are added by independent editors rather than the authors of papers themselves, but if some editors do not like it, they will not go deep or investigate - they will assume wrongdoing. So it is better to avoid even talking about Wikipedia. References there should happen naturally and often some of the more popular papers get picked up and referenced by veteran editors.

Experimenting with Altmetric will also help you explore new strategies for popularizing scientific research and develop new strategies for inspiring people to learn or even get into the new exciting field. UNESCO estimates that there was just over 8 million full-time equivalent (FTE) researchers in 2018 globally. Only a fraction of these are in biotechnology - less than 0.01% of the global population. If you motivate a million students to go into biotechnology by popularizing your research, you double this number.

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.css-1dmjnw1{position:relative;}.css-1dmjnw1:before{content:"";position:absolute;} .css-n3m3se{display:inline;font-family:UnitedSans,UnitedSans-roboto,UnitedSans-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-n3m3se:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-n3m3se{font-size:1.9375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-n3m3se{font-size:2.5625rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-n3m3se{font-size:2.9375rem;line-height:1.1;}} The Universe Could Be Eternal, According to This Controversial Theory .css-lzcclj{position:relative;background-color:#f04e3e;color:#000;width:3rem;height:0.75rem;margin:0.75rem auto;content:'';display:block;}.css-lzcclj:after{content:"";position:absolute;}

The idea of a static universe would mean our cosmos is eternal, and it isn’t expanding after all.

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.css-1kixzns{display:inline;font-family:UnitedSans,UnitedSans-roboto,UnitedSans-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1kixzns:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1kixzns{margin-bottom:1rem;font-size:2.1875rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1kixzns{margin-bottom:0.5rem;font-size:2.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1kixzns{font-size:2.9375rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-1kixzns:hover{color:#595959;} A Lingering Theory Says Harry Houdini's Death Was No Accident—It Was Much More Sinister

The master illusionist’s final days are still shrouded in mystery, with a conspiracy lurking behind the curtain of his last act.

.css-1q27o80{display:block;font-family:FreightSansW01,FreightSansW01-roboto,FreightSansW01-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1q27o80:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1q27o80{margin-bottom:1rem;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1q27o80{margin-bottom:0.5rem;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1q27o80{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-1q27o80:hover{color:#595959;} How to Keep Your Chainsaw Ready to Go

The U.S. Has Built an Unstoppable Microwave Weapon

The Right Way to Use a Fire Extinguisher

China Could Rule the Seas With This New Tech

When sci-fi meets reality.

.css-1al158h{color:#000000;display:inline;font-family:UnitedSans,UnitedSans-roboto,UnitedSans-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1al158h:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1al158h{margin-bottom:1rem;font-size:2.1875rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1al158h{margin-bottom:0.5rem;font-size:2.4375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1al158h{font-size:2.9375rem;line-height:1.1;}} By Harnessing the Unlimited Vacuum Energy In Space, We Could Finally Reach Light Speed

Invisible vacuum energy is all around us. We could use it to power propulsion, enhance nanostructures, and build levitating devices.

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.css-1tfp5zd{display:block;font-family:FreightSansW01,FreightSansW01-roboto,FreightSansW01-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1tfp5zd:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1tfp5zd{margin-bottom:1rem;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1tfp5zd{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1tfp5zd{margin-bottom:0.5rem;font-size:1.1875rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1tfp5zd{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0.9375rem;}} A Superconducting Device May Topple This Principle

Ancient Henge Found in England

A Section of the San Andreas Fault Is Waking Up

Scientists Found a Lynx Skeleton Layered With Dogs

Military & defense.

If War Breaks Out With China, This Will Be the Most Deadly Submarine in the Sea

The Most Expensive Plane Crash in History

The F-22 Raptor Has Clawed Back From the Brink

Can America’s Aging F-16 Overpower Russia’s Su-35?

Navy Helicopters Have Morphed Into Drone Killers

Stay curious, .css-27invw{left:-0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;}.css-27invw:before,.css-27invw:after{visibility:hidden;}.css-27invw:before{padding-right:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;} tech .css-1wwqe7{content:'//';display:inline;}.css-1wwqe7:before,.css-1wwqe7:after{visibility:hidden;}.css-1wwqe7:before{padding-left:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;}.

.css-3x1kh3{display:block;font-family:FreightSansW01,FreightSansW01-roboto,FreightSansW01-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-3x1kh3:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-3x1kh3{margin-bottom:1rem;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;padding-right:1rem;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-3x1kh3{margin-bottom:0.5rem;font-size:0.875rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-3x1kh3{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.2;}}.css-3x1kh3 a:hover{color:#595959;}.css-3x1kh3 h2 span:hover{color:#595959;} The Best Deals on Editor-Tested Lawn Mowers

Ship Crew in Baltimore Collision Are Still Aboard

Samsung Is Currently Doing a 2-for-1 TV Deal

Smart home tech to automate your morning routine.

Experts Confirm the Existence of Wigner Crystals

Is This the Real Iceberg That Sank the Titanic?

Cloud Brightening May Be Our White Knight

Can Frozen Cells Save the Northern White Rhino?

The Sun’s Expansion Will Devour Many of Its Childr

We Thought We Knew What Uranus Was Made Of

What It‘s Like To See A Total Solar Eclipse

This Is the Best Way to Exit Our Solar System

Dive deeper.

The Truth About Walt Disney’s Frozen Head and His Quest to Live Forever

He imagined the world of tomorrow. Fifty-seven years after his death, could he come back to life in the future he envisioned?

.css-q0lhuw{display:block;font-family:UnitedSans,UnitedSans-roboto,UnitedSans-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-q0lhuw:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-q0lhuw{margin-bottom:0.5rem;font-size:2.1875rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-q0lhuw{margin-bottom:0.5rem;font-size:2.3125rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-q0lhuw{margin-bottom:0.5rem;font-size:2.9375rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-q0lhuw:hover{color:#595959;} Treasure Hunters Say They Found Amelia Earhart’s Plane. Now, They’re Looking for MH370.

.css-75mxet{display:block;font-family:SimplonMono,SimplonMono-roboto,SimplonMono-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-75mxet:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-75mxet{margin-bottom:1rem;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-75mxet{margin-bottom:0.5rem;font-size:0.9375rem;line-height:1.3;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-75mxet{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.3;}} How Bessie Coleman's Sky-High Ambition Killed Her

Can Smokejumpers Still Protect a World on Fire?

7 People Who Have Confessed to Being D.B. Cooper

Possible Evidence of Amelia Earhart’s Plane

Badass military machines.

Why the F-15EX Is Such a Badass Plane

Why the Leopard 2 Is Such a Badass Tank

Why the B-52 Is Such a Badass Plane

Why the C-5 Galaxy Is Such a Badass Plane

Learn something new.

Could the Chair You Sit on Have a Soul?

Immortality Is Impossible Until We Beat Physics

Quest for New Physics Hinges on New Accelerator

Is Consciousness Everywhere All at Once?

A Prime Numbers Study Is Stirring Up Controversy

Machines About to Tackle Fermat’s Last Theorem

Can AI Help Solve Math’s Thorniest Mysteries?

10 of the Hardest Math Problems Ever Solved

Home & diy.

Stand-by Power: Eco Flow’s Smart Home Panel 2

How to Maintain Your Generator

The Best Orbital Power Sanders

The Right Way to Prune a Tree

Artificial intelligence.

AI Image Generators Will Blow Your Mind. Here Are the Best 3 Right Now

Should We Worry About AI Reaching Singularity?

Could AI Really Have Thoughts and Feelings?

Why You Should Try Using AI For Your DIY Projects

I Tried to Learn Woodworking Through ChatGPT

More great stuff.

J Allen Hynek: The Man Who Made Us Watch the Skies

Watch a Master Craftsman Create a Ship in a Bottle

What 9 Months on a Cruise Ship Can Do to You

Why Empty ‘Liminal Spaces’ Are So Damn Creepy

Editor favorites.

The Incredible Case of NASA’S Missing Moondust

Inside the Final Minutes of a Horrible Train Wreck

The Engine Driving Our Oceans Could Die by 2100

You Can Give Your Body Back to Nature When You Die

Conspiracy theories.

The Strange Origin of the Hollow Moon Conspiracy

The Truth About the ‘Black Knight’ Satellite

Why Some People Deny the Roman Empire Ever Existed

Why Challenger Conspiracy Theories Persist

A Study Reveals Trees Have Hidden Clocks—and They’ve Started Going Haywire

Why the Northeast Earthquake Was So Shocking

Ancient Chunks of Earth Were Hiding in Crystals

How the Ross Ice Shelf Lurches At Least Once a Day

Global Warming Is Slowing Earth’s Rotation

Live the pop life, cars & trucks.

The Best Carports for Weather Protection

The 40 Best Car Toys for Kids in 2024

The 6 Best Car Trash Cans for Collecting Debris

The 5 Best Cordless Power Washers

Surviving the Inevitable Summer Power Outage

The Best Hiking Boots for Outdoor Adventures

The Best Filtered Water Bottles Clean Up Your H2O

The 9 Best Lightweight Hiking Boots

Gear & gadgets.

The Best Generator Deals for Reliable Backup Power

The 10 Best BBQ Smokers of 2024

Save 34% on This DeWalt 20V Hammer Drill at Lowe’s

10 Best Garden Hoses

The Best Flat-Top Grills and Griddles

This Top-Rated Cantilever Umbrella Is 25% Off Now

The best deals on editor-tested lawn mowers.

A Barrage of Missiles Met Resistance Over Israel

Realizing I Was a Runner, Despite My Hemophilia

The Navy's New Frigates Are Behind Schedule

Microsoft CMT

Fourth International Conference on Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures