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Tech Briefs

MIT researchers have developed a method to grow artificial muscle tissue that twitches and flexes in multiple, coordinated directions, and could be useful for building “biohybrid” robots, reports Andrew Corselli for Tech Briefs. Prof. Ritu Raman explains that her lab is focused on creating “artificial muscle tissues that can be used to understand and treat muscle diseases that impact healthy human mobility,” and making “safe muscle-powered robots that can perform complex tasks in dangerous environments that are not suitable for humans.”

CBS News

Graduate student Cathy Fang speaks with CBS News reporter Lindsey Reiser about her research studying the effects of AI chatbots on people’s emotional well-being. Fang explains that she and her colleagues found that how the chatbot interacts with the user is important, “but also how the user interacts with the chatbot is equally important. Both influence the user’s emotional and social well-being.” She adds: “Overall, we found that extended use is correlated with more negative outcomes.”

The Boston Globe

Biogen will move its headquarters to MIT’s Kendall Common development in 2028, reports Catherine Carlock and Jonathan Saltzman for The Boston Globe. “Biogen has been a foundational presence in the Massachusetts life science ecosystem for close to half a century,” says Governor Maura Healey. “We are thrilled to see them begin a new era in our state.”

The Boston Globe

Sloan Lecturer Harvey Michaels speaks with Boston Globe reporter Scooty Nickerson about skyrocketing energy costs in Massachusetts. Michaels explains that one contributing factor is the vast but costly energy system that can supply heat during cold dips but is expensive to maintain. “It’s like having a fleet of planes flying around with very few passengers on them,” Michaels explains. “It’s going to be very expensive for the passengers that do fly” to make it worth it.

The Guardian

MIT researchers have developed a “simple way to administer long-acting drug delivery systems without the need for invasive procedures – an appealing prospect for parts of the world with poor medical infrastructure,” reports Nicola Davis for The Guardian. “It’s suitable for any poorly soluble hydrophobic drug, especially where long-acting delivery is needed,” says Prof. Giovanni Traverso, “This includes treatments for HIV, TB, schizophrenia, chronic pain, or metabolic disease​.” 

Fortune

Researchers at MIT and elsewhere have found “that frequency chatbot users experience more loneliness and emotional dependence,” reports Beatrice Nolan for Fortune. “The studies set out to investigate the extent to which interactions with ChatGPT impacted users’ emotional health, with a focus on the use of the chatbot’s advanced voice mode,” explains Nolan. 

CNBC

CNBC reporter Kif Leswing spotlights Lisa Su '90, SM '91, PhD '94 and her work as CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). “On Su’s watch, AMD was the first major company to embrace a technology called ‘chiplets,’” writes Leswing. “Instead of manufacturing one big chip with all the elements needed — the compute cores as well as an input and output block — AMD could make smaller chips and then assemble them together.” 

The Boston Globe

Prof. David Schmittlein, the longest serving dean of the MIT Sloan School of Management who was known for his role expanding Sloan’s international reach, has died at the age of 69, reports Bryan Marquard for The Boston Globe. Schmittlein “led initiatives introducing several new degree programs, redesigning the academic program portfolio while maintaining the MBA as the flagship degree, and diversifying executive offerings,” writes Marquard. 

Marketplace

Prof. Jonathan Gruber speaks with Marketplace reporter Elizabeth Trovall about looming labor shortages within the caregiving industry and elder care. “We have no plan for credibly meeting that massive change in the long-term care needs of our population,” says Gruber. 

Community Updates

Featured Multimedia

Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed an all-in-one 3D printing approach called “Xstrings.” Part design tool, part fabrication method, Xstrings can embed all the pieces together and produce a cable-driven device, saving time when assembling bionic robots, creating art installations, or working on dynamic fashion designs.

The SeaPerch underwater robot, a “do-it-yourself” maker project, is a popular educational tool for middle and high school students. Developed by MIT Sea Grant, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) teaches hand fabrication processes, electronics techniques, and STEM concepts, while encouraging exploration of structures, electronics, and underwater dynamics. SeaPerch II builds on the original program, adding robotics and elements of marine and climate science.

Liam Hines is excited about the practical and societal benefits of his work, about pinpointing the challenges posed by existing technologies and finding tangible solutions toward energy sustainability. Liam is a PhD student in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT. He works on advanced fission systems and waste management with Professors Koroush Shirvan and Haruko Wainwright.

Neuroscientist Sidney Diamond is a researcher in Pawan Sinha’s Lab in MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, where, at 99 years old, he studies the science of visual learning and helps to decode the mysteries of brain development. In addition to the invaluable decades of experience Sid brings to his work, he serves as a mentor and inspiration to his colleagues.

MIT researchers built a new drone system that can accurately track its location indoors, including in the dark and low-visibility settings. The invention, dubbed MiFly, uses cross-polarized radars and wireless tags to enable the drone to track its location in six degrees of freedom. This new technology has many applications in warehousing, automation, delivery, and more.

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