Chemical Engineering

At right, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show the two types of lithium deposits, the bulky, mossy type (at top), which grows from its base, and the needle-like dendritic type (bottom), which grows from the tips. At left, SEM images show the effect of a blocking layer of ceramic material that limits the growth of the mossy deposits.

In batteries, a metal reveals its dual personality

Branchlike deposits grow on lithium electrode surfaces in two ways, one much more damaging.

September 1, 2016

Membrane structures in plant xylem from different species are being investigated for use in water filtration.

J-WAFS Solutions program awards $750,000 in commercialization grants

Four new projects and one renewal receive $150,000 in funding for 2016-2017.

August 12, 2016

The ability to ferment low-cost feedstocks under nonsterile conditions may enable new classes of biochemicals and biofuels, such as microbial oil produced by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica (shown here, oil in lipid bodies is stained green and cells walls stained blue).

Microbial engineering technique could reduce contamination in biofermentation plants

Approach could lower cost and eliminate need for antibiotics during biofuel production.

August 4, 2016

A new technique called magnified analysis of proteome (MAP), developed at MIT, allows researchers to peer at molecules within cells or take a wider view of the long-range connections between neurons.

Imaging the brain at multiple size scales

New technique can reveal subcellular details and long-range connections.

July 25, 2016

New executive director Eboney Hearn '01 will further OEOP's mission to empower middle and high schoolers from diverse backgrounds to become future scientists and engineers.

Eboney Hearn '01 named director of MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs

Chemical engineering alumna with deep knowledge of the Institute will lead hallmark diversity program.

July 22, 2016

The process of making a stack of parallel sheets of graphene starts with a chemical vapor deposition process (I) to make a graphene sheet with a polymer coating; these layers are then stacked (II), folded and cut (III) and stacked again and pressed, multiplying the number of layers. The team used a related method the team to produce scroll-shaped fibers.

Borrowing from pastry chefs, engineers create nanolayered composites

Method to stack hundreds of nanoscale layers could open new vistas in materials science.

July 21, 2016

“This nanoformulation approach allows us to make vaccines against new diseases in only seven days, allowing the potential to deal with sudden outbreaks or make rapid modifications and improvements,” says Daniel Anderson, an associate professor in MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering and a member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Institute for Medical Engineeri...

Engineers design programmable RNA vaccines

Tests in mice show the vaccines work against Ebola, influenza, and a common parasite.

July 4, 2016

This image shows microneedles, which are mostly used for the delivery of drugs and vaccines across the skin, and the silicone mold used to make them.

Seeing science

Workshop led by scientist and photographer Felice Frankel teaches researchers how to translate experiments into captivating images.

July 1, 2016

Kwanghun Chung receives McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience Award

June 24, 2016

CoalMap is an online tool that allows users explore the potential effects of various market factors on the cost-competitiveness of coal versus renewable energy.

Mapping coal’s decline and renewables' rise

CoalMap online tool shows what policy regulations and technological advancements can do for the cost-competitiveness of solar and wind energy.

June 22, 2016

Supercharging undergraduate research

Now open to the entire School of Engineering, SuperUROP is creating an interdisciplinary community of scholars.

June 21, 2016

Left to right: School of Engineering Dean Ian A. Waitz, graduate student Zachary Sherman, and Alan Oppenheim '59, '64 ScD, sponsor of the School of Engineering Graduate Student Award for Extraordinary Teaching and Mentoring.

School of Engineering awards for 2016

Awards were given to outstanding faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students.

June 10, 2016

Clockwise from top left: Shreya Dave, Carolena Ruprecht, Michael Birk, and Mohammed Alsobay

Energy grads launch careers in research, engineering, and analysis

June 8, 2016

Biofuels: Too early or too late?

Professor Kristala Prather engages undergrads in a discussion about the future of biofuels.

May 31, 2016

Top row (left to right): Robert Fadel, Dean Ian A. Waitz, Jim Long, Hsinhwa Lee, Ted Equi, Sandra Lopes, Joseph Baylon, Carolyn Carrington, Anthony Zolnik, Doreen Morris, Marlena Love, and Stephen Wetzel. Bottom row (left to right): Cathy Greene, Amy Bass, Sharon Leary, Bethany Walsh, Jessica Jones, and Kate Moynihan.

Spotlight on engineering staff

The 2016 Infinite Mile Awards in the School of Engineering