Rise of the compliant machines
MIT spinout Meka Robotics, recently acquired by Google, creates ‘sociable’ humanoids that could help advance human-robot interaction.
The surprising value of waste
MIT spinout Sanergy is impacting the entire ‘sanitation value chain’ — from franchised toilets to waste collection and conversion — in Nairobi’s Mukuru slum.
Growing a business, from the lab
MIT researcher Shuguang Zhang’s nanofiber-scaffold technology became the foundation for a biotech company.
Marrying tissue engineering with systems biology
Linda Griffith combines in vitro models with deep molecular analysis to accelerate drug discovery.
3-D scanning, with your smartphone
Startup Viztu Technologies developed commercial software that generated 3-D models from 2-D photos, before selling to a tech giant.
Bringing the world reboot-less updates
Ksplice software, which allows for updates without rebooting, became a profitable venture for the MIT alumni who developed it.
Robert Langer wins 2014 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Langer honored for his discoveries in controlled drug-release systems and new biomaterials; awards ceremony hosted by Kevin Spacey to be broadcast Jan. 27
Power (of electronics) to the people
Alumna Ayah Bdeir’s fast-growing startup littleBits, which sells connectable electronic modules, is helping people understand and build creatively with electronics.
Climbing the ‘power ascension’ market
Alumni startup Atlas Devices commercializes motorized rope-climbing technology for military use.
App Inventor launches second iteration
Since its 2009 creation, more than a million people have registered to use App Inventor, which is now based out of the MIT Media Lab.
Catching (radio) waves
ThingMagic, founded by five MIT alumni, helped bring radio-frequency identification technology to the supply chain.
Engineering students demonstrate product prototypes
Final 2.009 presentations provide new ideas for athletes, patients, hobbyists, and even horses.