Nuclear Science and Engineering

Members of the the PSFC's High-Energy-Density Physics division gather in their Accelerator Facility, part of the new Center of Excellence.

Plasma Science and Fusion Center leads new Center of Excellence

Award will support educational and research efforts in high-energy-density physics at MIT and four academic research partners.

February 25, 2019

MIT researchers have designed an MRI contrast agent that can detect calcium within neurons, allowing them to closely track brain activity.

New MRI sensor can image activity deep within the brain

Noninvasive measurements of calcium could reveal neurons’ roles in different types of behavior.

February 22, 2019

MIT physicists find quarks move slower in atoms with more pairs of protons and neutrons.

Study of quark speeds finds a solution for a 35-year physics mystery

Number of proton-neutron pairs determine how fast the particles move, results suggest.

February 20, 2019

“Having representation from women, especially black women, in the [nuclear science and engineering] department was a huge factor in me wanting to come back,” says PhD candidate Raspberry Simpson.

From summer research program to PhD dissertation

Graduate student Raspberry Simpson’s scientific journey approaches fruition.

February 15, 2019

Introducing a small amount of strain into crystalline materials, such as diamond or silicon, can produce significant changes in their properties, researchers have found. The mechanical strain is represented here as a deformation in the diamond's shape.

Using artificial intelligence to engineer materials’ properties

New system of “strain engineering” can change a material’s optical, electrical, and thermal properties.

February 11, 2019

The 2018 Bose Research Fellows (standing) pose for a photo with (seated, l-r) President L. Rafael Reif, Judy Bose, and Provost Martin Schmidt.

Bose grants for 2018 fund research at the frontier of discovery

The prestigious awards are supporting five innovative projects that challenge established norms and have the potential to be world-changing.

February 11, 2019

Team Asteroid Atomics is developing a nuclear reactor tailored for unpiloted space missions.

Pitching transformative design

Undergraduates put their ideas on the line in a competition showcasing novel, consequential applications of nuclear science and engineering.

February 5, 2019

“It's useful to peek over someone’s shoulder," says Kevin Woller of the students he mentors. "The accelerator is a large machine. It’s not easy to put someone in front of it and say ‘OK, operate it!’"

Kevin Woller: From student to mentor

Research scientist gives back by passing along the nuts and bolts of plasma research.

January 25, 2019

Dennis Whyte, director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center.

MIT continues progress toward practical fusion energy

In series of talks, researchers describe major effort to address climate change through carbon-free power.

January 24, 2019

MIT graduate student Caroline Sorensen earned a master’s degree at MIT in a MechE lab but is based at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center for doctorate work. “People are super excited about the future of fusion, and there is this vibe of positivity and hopefulness that what we’re doing is really going to make a difference," she says.

Tapping the MIT talent pool for the future of fusion

Excitement is rising in the push to get zero-carbon energy on the grid.

January 11, 2019

"When we stimulate theoretically inclined minds by framing plasma physics and fusion challenges as beautiful theoretical physics problems, we bring into the game incredibly brilliant students," says associate professor of nuclear science and engineering Nuno Loureiro.

Nuno Loureiro: Understanding turbulence in plasmas

Theoretical physicist's focus on the complexity of plasma turbulence could pay dividends in fusion energy.

January 3, 2019

“I want to make choices, even difficult ones, that don't leave me wondering later why I hadn't taken a risk,” says MIT junior Eva Lisowski.

Eva Lisowski: Pushing the limits

Nuclear science and engineering major and ROTC cadet studies and trains hard for a future of national service.

December 19, 2018

The ion beamline at Sandia National Labs where the new radiation damage measurement system has been installed and tested. The radiation damage process is observed in a target chamber located behind the black-box laser enclosure on the right of the image.

System monitors radiation damage to materials in real-time

Facility could rapidly provide data on how material properties change in a nuclear reactor.

December 18, 2018

Left to right: Pablo Ducru and Michael Shum

Two from MIT named Schwarzman Scholars for 2020

Pablo Ducru and Michael Shum ’17, MEng ’18 will study at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

December 3, 2018

Left to right: MIT professors Emilio Baglietto, Rebecca Saxe, and Matthew Shoulders were nominated by their graduate students and are now honored by the Committed to Caring program as model mentors.

Baglietto, Saxe, and Shoulders ensure grad students thrive

For three Committed to Caring honorees, mentorship is demonstrated through generosity and making connections.

November 14, 2018

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