Mechanical Engineering

MIT’s new mini cheetah robot is springy, light on its feet, and weighs in at just 20 pounds.

Mini cheetah is the first four-legged robot to do a backflip

Robot’s lightweight, high-power design is the perfect platform to share and play, developers say.

March 4, 2019

By tuning size, illumination angle, and curvature, MIT engineers can produce brilliant colors, in patterns they can predict, in otherwise transparent droplets.

Engineers make clear droplets produce iridescent colors

Optical effect could be harnessed for light displays, litmus tests, and makeup products.

February 27, 2019

Photo of MIT Building 10 lit up at night

QS World University Rankings rates MIT No. 1 in 11 subjects for 2019

Institute ranks within the top 2 in 17 of 48 subject areas.

February 26, 2019

Angela Belcher, the James Mason Crafts Professor of Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, has been named the new head of the Department of Biological Engineering, effective July 1, 2019.

Angela Belcher named head of the Department of Biological Engineering

Biomedical engineering and energy expert to succeed Doug Lauffenburger; with her appointment, half of MIT engineering departments will be headed by women.

February 25, 2019

The Sidney-Pacific Executive Council and brunch chairs welcome President Reif and Dean Staton in the Sidney-Pacific lobby.

Serving up brunch for the MIT graduate community

President L. Rafael Reif and Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Education Blanche Staton help Sidney-Pacific students cook and serve Sunday brunch.

February 19, 2019

A deceptively tough film protects the lobster’s belly as the animal scuttles across the rocky seafloor.

Lobster’s underbelly is as tough as industrial rubber

Membrane material’s properties could guide design of flexible body armor, new study suggests.

February 18, 2019

J-WAFS commercialization grants are supporting two MIT research teams developing technologies to make current agricultural practices more sustainable.

J-WAFS grants advance sustainable agriculture

Two new J-WAFS Solutions commercialization grants will support novel technologies that aim to improve the economics and resiliency of farming.

February 14, 2019

Scott Nill and Larissa Nietner at MIT Commencement in June 2018, just after their wedding and honeymoon.

Finding love in the lab

Mechanical engineering alumni and married couple Larissa Nietner and Scott Nill started their relationship — and two companies — as MIT graduate students.

February 13, 2019

Seaside desalination plants like this typically discharge large volumes of concentrated brine back into the sea. MIT researchers have shown that instead, much of this waste could be turned into useful chemicals.

Turning desalination waste into a useful resource

Process developed at MIT could turn concentrated brine into useful chemicals, making desalination more efficient.

February 13, 2019

Six MIT researchers are among the 86 new members and 18 foreign associates elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

Six MIT researchers elected to the National Academy of Engineering for 2019

Members have made advances in molecular processes, rheology, computer networking, nanocrystalline metals, affective computing, and semiconductor tech.

February 11, 2019