A dive into the “almost magical” potential of photonic crystals
In MIT’s 2025 Killian Lecture, physicist John Joannopoulos recounts highlights from a career at the vanguard of photonics research and innovation.
Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies
John Joannopoulos receives 2024-2025 Killian Award
The MIT physicist is honored for pioneering work in photonics that helped to advance tools for telecommunications and biomedicine.
New laser setup probes metamaterial structures with ultrafast pulses
The LIRAS technique could speed up the development of acoustic lenses, impact-resistant films, and other futuristic materials.
Strengthening electron-triggered light emission
A new method can produce a hundredfold increase in light emissions from a type of electron-photon coupling, which is key to electron microscopes and other technologies.
A fabric that “hears” your heart's sounds
Inspired by the human ear, a new acoustic fabric converts audible sounds into electrical signals.
Conch shells spill the secret to their toughness
Three-tiered structure of these impact-resistant shells could inspire better helmets, body armor.
Paula Hammond elected to the National Academy of Medicine
Chemical engineer recognized for her contributions to medicine and health.
Three from MIT named inaugural Schwarzman Scholars
New award pays for one-year master's at Tsinghua University in China.
How to spawn an “exceptional ring”
Researchers create exotic states that could lead to new kinds of sensors and optical devices.
Paula Hammond named head of Department of Chemical Engineering
An MIT faculty member since 1995, Hammond succeeds Klavs Jensen as ChemE department head.
New materials to protect the brain
MIT graduate student Bo Qing studies synthetic gels that could be used in better equipment to protect against traumatic injuries.
Faculty highlight: Krystyn Van Vliet
MIT associate professor brings a materials scientist's understanding to biochemical behavior in stem cells and organ tissue.
John D. Joannopoulos wins 2015 Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics
Eminent condensed matter theorist honored by American Physical Society for "spearheading the development of ab-initio nano-photonics."
Modeling shockwaves through the brain
New scaling law helps estimate humans' risk of blast-induced traumatic brain injury.
Following biological clues to better materials
Brad Olsen creates bioinspired and biofunctional materials for widely diverse applications.