New Scientist reporter Chelsea Whyte writes that MIT researchers have built a microprocessor out of carbon nanotubes, which are more energy efficient than traditional silicon chips. “The team have so far used the chip to run a simple program called “Hello, World” which outputs that message, and is commonly the first program written by people learning to code,” Whyte explains.
MIT researchers have crafted a 16-bit microprocessor out of carbon nanotubes using the same industry-standard processes used to design silicon chips, reports Ryan Mandelbaum for Gizmodo. “This work is particularly exciting because carbon nanotubes are one of the most promising supplements in the future of beyond-silicon computers,” explains Prof. Max Shulaker.
MIT researchers have developed a new magnetically-controlled robotic worm that could one day help make brain surgeries less invasive, reports Chris Stokel-Walker for New Scientist. When tested on a silicon model of the human brain, “the robot could worm its way through hard-to-reach blood vessels.”
Nature reporter Elizabeth Gibney writes that MIT researchers have created the biggest computer chip yet from carbon nanotubes using the same fabrication processes used for silicon chips. “The most important thing is that all of these techniques are compatible with existing design tools and manufacturing facilities,” says Prof. Max Shulaker.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that climate change could make participating in the Hajj pilgrimage during the summertime extremely dangerous, reports Paola Rosa-Aquino for Salon. The researchers found that “climate change could lead to an increase in temperatures and humidity along the heart of the route, putting many devotees in “extreme danger” of developing heat-related illnesses.”
Boston Globe reporter Maria Lovato writes that MIT researchers have developed a new experiment aimed at identifying the rate at which stars produce oxygen. Prof. Richard Milner explains that the new approach uses “advanced accelerator technology that has great potential to measure reaction rates in stars with higher precision.”
The Engine has announced that it plans to expand into a new location at 750 Main Street to better accommodate the early-stage tough-tech startups that the MIT subsidiary serves. “Renovations to create offices, labs, and fabrication space are scheduled to start at the end of the year; they are expected to open by early 2022,” reports John Chesto for The Boston Globe.
WBUR reporter Pamela Reynolds spotlights the Alicja Kwade exhibit that will be on display at the MIT List Visual Arts Center starting in October in a preview of the top art exhibits to see this autumn. Reynolds writes that Kwade’s “alchemical treatment of familiar things may leave viewers questioning distinctions between past and present, fact and fiction.”
MIT researchers have developed a skin patch that could be used to fight melanoma, reports Berkeley Lovelace Jr. for CNBC. “Our patch technology could be used to deliver vaccines to combat different infectious diseases,” explains Prof. Paula Hammond. “But we are excited by the possibility that the patch is another tool in the oncologists’ arsenal against cancer, specifically melanoma.”
Reuters reporter Ann Saphir writes that Prof. Athanasios Orphanides recommended the Federal Reserve adopt a new monetary policy rule to help guide decisions concerning interest rates. “Monetary policy is most effective when it is formulated in a systematic manner, following a clearly communicated monetary policy rule,” Orphanides explains.
Research by Prof. Athanasios Orphanides examines the Federal Reserve’s efforts to improve communications, reports Nick Timiraos for The Wall Street Journal. Orphanides found “the quarterly summary of economic projections from Fed officials and its accompanying interest-rate projections, sometimes referred to as a ‘dot plot,’ would be more valuable if it expressed changes in officials’ uncertainty or confidence in their projections.”
MIT alumnus and philanthropist David Koch has died, reports Steve Peoples and Jennifer Peltz for the Associated Press. Koch was an ardent supporter of cancer research and “donated $100 million in 2007 to create a cancer research institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.”
David Koch, an MIT alumnus known for his philanthropic work, has died at age 79, reports Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson and Lindsay Fortado for the Financial Times. Koch, who was a basketball star at MIT, “donated or pledged more than $1.3bn in total to causes including cancer research, hospitals and education."
Prof. Kristin Forbes discusses monetary policy, currency wars and what she considers the biggest risk to the global economy with Daybreak Asia on Bloomberg TV. “For me, the biggest concern is what happens next on trade wars and especially the uncertainty around trade wars,” says Forbes.
Profs. Thomas Malone and Erik Brynjolfsson discuss the future impact of humanoid robots on society with Jason Margolis of PRI’s The World. “The next 10 years could be the best 10 years we've ever seen or the worst decade, and that depends less on the technology and more on the choices we make,” Brynjolfsson says.