How an influx of salt may affect microbial ecosystems
As sea levels rise and saltwater seeps into freshwater, stressed aquatic populations may retain overall growth even as diversity declines, MIT scientists find.
Department
Physics
3 Questions: Searching for new physics with “beauty” particles
Assistant Professor Eluned Smith describes how new LHC data confirm a previously observed tension with the Standard Model, plus what else will be needed to determine whether new physics is at play.
Many black holes had past lives, new research shows
Physicists have found signs of colliding black holes that are themselves products of previous black hole smash-ups.
Jesse Thaler named director of the Laboratory for Nuclear Science
The professor of physics and inaugural director of the NSF AI Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions will lead LNS and continue his research in particle physics.
Boleslaw Wyslouch steps down as director of Laboratory for Nuclear Science
Wyslouch remains the director of the Bates Research and Engineering Center and will continue research on heavy ion collisions.
Graphene can hold multiple states of superconductivity, a new study finds
What’s more, the superconducting states get stronger under conditions expected to kill them.
Listening for the echoes of black holes
By analyzing X-ray reverberations and other astrophysical data, Erin Kara seeks to understand the most extreme objects in the universe.
MIT in the media: Exploring how curiosity-driven science is an essential ingredient in America’s success
“Scientific American” showcases the history and future of America’s scientific engine, highlighting promising young scientists and icons at MIT and beyond.
QS ranks MIT the world’s No. 1 university for 2026-27
Ranking at the top for the 15th year in a row, the Institute also places first in 12 subject areas.
Pablo Jarillo-Herrero wins Kavli Prize in Nanoscience
The MIT physicist shares the honor with two others for foundational research establishing the field of twistronics.
MIT affiliates win 2026 Breakthrough, New Horizons prizes
Faculty member Shu-Heng Shao, in addition to four MIT alumni, are honored by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation.
MIT astronomers discover the earliest known flickering quasar
When the universe was just 850 million years old, this voracious black hole was already surprisingly mature, a new study finds.
NSF renews support for MIT-led AI and physics institute, expanding a new model for discovery
IAIFI enters its second phase with increased funding, broader ambitions, and a growing community at the frontier of AI and fundamental physics.
Eleven from MIT accept 2026 Fulbright awards
This year, over half of MIT’s Fulbright applicants won awards. The current students and alumni will embark on research projects and teaching abroad in 2026-27.
MIT students study plasma physics beneath Alaska’s aurora
Student-led expeditions use distributed instruments to observe auroral structures and probe space plasma in real-world conditions.