School of Science grows by 10
Joining the School of Science, 10 faculty members expand the departments of Biology; Chemistry; Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences; Mathematics; and Physics.
Department
Physics
Laser-focused: Four MIT students foster new insights into inertial confinement fusion
Undergraduate research opportunities in the Plasma Science and Fusion Center’s High-Energy-Density Physics division support multiple fusion collaborations.
MIT hosts seven distinguished MLK Professors and Scholars for 2020-21
Honorees will engage in the life of the Institute through teaching, research, and other interactions with the MIT community.
Scientists discover new rules about “runaway” transcription
Findings related to bacterial gene expression overturn fundamental assumptions about basic biological pathways.
A “bang” in LIGO and Virgo detectors signals most massive gravitational-wave source yet
A binary black hole merger likely produced gravitational waves equal to the energy of eight suns.
An unexpected origin story for a lopsided black hole merger
Researchers suggest a novel process to explain the collision of a large black hole and a much smaller one.
Bringing MIT magic to first-years everywhere
With creativity and hard work, the Institute is striving to provide the best possible experience for the Class of 2024.
Cosmic rays may soon stymie quantum computing
Building quantum computers underground or designing radiation-proof qubits may be needed, researchers find.
National Science Foundation announces MIT-led Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions
IAIFI will advance physics knowledge — from the smallest building blocks of nature to the largest structures in the universe — and galvanize AI research innovation.
Are we still listening to space?
Despite the planet’s seeming standstill, graduate students continue to use LIGO to identify astrophysical events.
Nuh Gedik and Pablo Jarillo-Herrero are 2020 Moore Experimental Investigators in Quantum Materials
Funding will support using light to study quantum materials and on twistronics research to advance superconductivity and quantum technologies.
Lava oceans may not explain the brightness of some hot super-Earths
By making their own lava and cooled glass, scientists find these materials likely aren’t responsible for the unexpected glow of some exoplanets.
Can a quantum strategy help bring down the house?
Study finds quantum entanglement could, in principle, give a slight advantage in the game of blackjack.
Q&A: Peter Fisher discusses JASON report on reopening university laboratories
MIT physicist led government-backed effort to study the challenges and solutions surrounding campus lab work.
Shining a light on the quantum world
With funding from MISTI, physicists at MIT and in Israel collaborate to improve understanding and use of quantum light.