Turning bacteria into chemical factories
Kristala Jones Prather engineers cells to produce useful compounds such as drugs and biofuels.
Department
Chemical Engineering
New implantable sensor paves way to long-term monitoring
Carbon nanotubes that detect nitric oxide can be implanted under the skin for more than a year.
One-two punch knocks out aggressive tumors
New nanoparticles weaken tumor-cell defenses, then strike with chemotherapy drug.
Creating a permanent bacteria barrier
Startup Semprus Biosciences develops a permanent solution for keeping bacteria off implanted medical devices.
A pea-shooter for molecules
Researchers find that tiny molecules passing through nanotubes can be propelled or slowed depending on their size.
U.S. News ranks MIT seventh overall among U.S. universities
Institute’s undergraduate engineering program is again ranked No. 1; undergraduate business program is No. 2.
New low-temperature chemical reaction explained
Unusual reaction, never fully understood, is important to fuel combustion, atmospheric chemistry and biochemistry.
How to get fresh water out of thin air
Fog-harvesting system developed by MIT and Chilean researchers could provide potable water for the world’s driest regions.
Nanosensors could aid drug manufacturing
Chemical engineers find that arrays of carbon nanotubes can detect flaws in drugs and help improve production.
Finding the keys to boiling heat transfer
Understanding the properties that control surface dissipation of heat could lead to improved power plants and electronics with high heat-transfer rates.
Nanoparticles, made to order — inside and out
New research enables high-speed customization of novel nanoparticles for drug delivery and other uses.
Getting the carbon out of emissions
Proposed method could be more efficient than previous systems and easier to retrofit in existing power plants.
Enhancing RNA interference
Helping RNA escape from cells’ recycling process could make it easier to shut off disease-causing genes.
Making alternative fuels cheaper
Chemical engineers’ new synthesis could make biofuel more appealing for mass production.
NSE grad student wins Heller Entrepreneurship Grant
Sam Shaner recognized for contributing to spirit of entrepreneurship at the Institute