Ruth Graham of The Boston Globe writes about Professor Franz-Josef Ulm’s work with “urban physics.” Ulm’s research, “places him among a number of scientists now using the tools of physics to analyze the practically infinite amount of data that cities produce in the 21st century, from population density to the number of patents produced to energy bill charges.”
Liat Clark reports on Jibo, the family friendly robot developed by Professor Cynthia Breazeal, in a piece for Wired. "Jibo is a very different concept of a personal robot where the focus is on human engagement and bringing content, apps, services 'to life' beyond flat screens," Breazeal explains.
Wired reporter Katie Collins writes about how a team of MIT scientists has discovered that the electricity produced by bouncing water droplets could be used to charge smart phones.
"The Knight Science Journalism program, to me, has always been one of the most exciting programs in science journalism," Blum tells Paul Raeburn of the KSJ Tracker. In his post, Raeburn reveals some of Blum's plans for the future, as described in an interview, and explains the significance of the dual appointments of Blum and Roush.
Kadhim Shubber reports on a new glove created by Professor Harry Asada with two extra fingers that responds intelligently to one’s movements. "You do not need to command the robot, but simply move your fingers naturally,” said Asada. “Then the robotic fingers react and assist your fingers."
Bruce Weber of The New York Times reports on the legacy of Professor Emeritus Otto Piene, who died on July 17. “So many of his ideas are relevant today, from project-oriented work, to discussion-led thinking, to the ephemeral; all of that is now commonplace,” says Joachim Jäger, head of the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
Boston Globe reporter Scott Kirsner explores the history of MicrChips, an MIT startup that has made headlines recently with the news that the company is developing a remote-controlled, implantable contraceptive chip.
“Researchers at MIT have created a robotic hand device that, rather than simply replacing one's grip, enhances its reach with two extra fingers,” reports NBC on a new device developed by Professor Harry Asada’s team.
The BBC reports on a new technology from Professor Harry Asada’s team that provides a robotic extension to the human hand responsive to movement. The extension—essentially two extra fingers—can be used to grasp, leaving the hand free for other tasks.
Jena McGregor reports for The Washington Post on a paper coauthored by MIT graduate student Jason Sheltzer that indicates that women are under represented in life sciences laboratories run by elite male scientists. The numbers were significantly less than those in labs headed by females.
Steve Annear of Boston Magazine writes about ‘Sesame Rings’ first developed by a group including MIT undergraduates. The ring acts as a stored-value MBTA pass for using public transportation in and around Boston.
“Three MIT students designed and built a 3D printer that extrudes 3D ice-cream treats in custom shapes,” reports Boston.com. The design was part of a class project on additive manufacturing.
“The main reason we feel an ice cream 3D printer is an important addition to current additive manufacturing technology is that it interests children,” said MIT students who designed a 3D ice cream printer, reports Samuel Gibbs for The Guardian.
Penelope Green writes for The New York Times about “Enchanted Objects: Design, Human Desire and the Internet of Things” by David Rose of the MIT Media Lab. Rose proposes that new technologies in the home actually mimic the qualities found in magical tools in fantasy and folklore.
Peter Coy reports for Bloomberg Businessweek on a new partnership between Saudi Arabia and edX, the online education platform founded by MIT and Harvard. The venture aims to educate Saudi women, youth, disabled, and rural poor, all of whom suffer from high unemployment in the gulf kingdom.