In the Media

In an article for The Boston Globe, David Abel writes about MIT’s efforts to combat climate change. Abel notes that, “MIT is embarking on an unprecedented program to accelerate progress on low-carbon energy technologies.”

In this video, Prof. Edward Boyden speaks with The Huffington Post about how sleep and meditation impact people on a neurological level.  Boyden says that traditions such as mediation can “help us be more attuned to what our mind really wants.”

Bloomberg Business reporter Rebecca Greenfield writes about a new study co-authored by MIT researchers that finds that when workers have control over their schedules they tend to be more satisfied. Prof. Erin Kelly explains that at present employees "worry about if there are career consequences for working in this different way.”

Dean of Admissions Stuart Schmill speaks with WRKO’s Kim Carrigan about a new set of recommendations for the college admissions process. Schmill explains that, “we want students who are going to come here and try to improve the lives of their classmates,” as well as students interested in having a positive effect on the world.

MIT researchers are collaborating with the Self-Employed Women's Association to identify how women in India use technology, reports The Times of India. "There are lots of innovations in the name of the poor, but nobody knows what works," explains Prof. Bishwapriya Sanyal. 

New York Times columnist Frank Bruni examines “Turning the Tide,” a new report that recommends changes to the college admissions process. Bruni says the report - which Stuart Schmill, dean of admissions, contributed to – “sagely reflects on what’s wrong with admissions and rightly calls for a revolution, including specific suggestions.”

In an article for The Wall Street Journal, Leslie Brody speaks with Stuart Schmill, dean of admissions, about a report that recommends new guidelines for the college admissions process. “We want students to lead balanced lives,” says Schmill of the impetus for updating the admissions process. 

Prof. Paula Hammond speaks with Tom Ashbrook of NPR’s On Point about Vice President Biden’s new cancer initiative.  Hammond likens the challenge to “going to the moon and back, it’s creating a permanent space station out there as well that allows us to continue to learn about some of the new approaches.” 

Prof. Ioannis Yannas was inducted into the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame for his work with Dr. John Burke on regenerating human skin as a treatment for burn victims, writes Robby Berman for Slate.  In a video accompanying the story, Yannas explains that his work was focused on “speeding up the rate of closing up these wounds.” 

Boston Magazine reporter Kyle Clauss reports that researchers from MIT CSAIL have developed a drone that uses algorithms to detect obstacle-free regions in space.  “Using free-space segments is a more ‘glass-half-full’ approach that works far better for drones in small, cluttered spaces,” says MIT alumnus Benoit Landry.

Prof. Ju Li and graduate students Sangtae Kim and Soon Ju Choi have developed a device that harvests human motion for electrical power, reports Krithika Varagur for The Huffington Post.  “This device will make it possible to harvest some of this otherwise-wasted potential into electricity,” explains Kim. 

Stu Schmill, MIT’s Dean of Admissions, speaks with Matt Lauer of The Today Show about a new report that he helped develop, which recommends changes in the college application process. “This report, I hope, will really send a more powerful message around what colleges are really, really interested to see,” says Schmill. 

Straits Times reporter Pang Xue Qiang writes that researchers at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have developed a sensor that can monitor and regulate the fluid flow of an IV drip. The researchers hope that the sensor will reduce the burden on hospital staff. 

Researchers from MIT CSAIL have developed an algorithm that allows drones to navigate obstacle courses, reports Kelsey Atherton for Popular Science. “As drones move away from simple remote-controlled toys and become more autonomous flying tools, programs like these will keep them flying safely through unfamiliar terrain,” explains Atherton. 

BBC News reporter David Gibson writes that MIT researchers have developed a thin, transparent film that can store solar energy for later use. Gibson writes that the polymer could be used to de-ice windshields, “heat seats and steering wheels, or even let you solar charge your socks before a motorcycle ride.”