Materials Science and Engineering

Diagrams illustrate the self-healing properties of the new material. At top, a crack is created in the material, which is composed of a hydrogel (dark green) with plant-derived chloroplasts (light green) embedded in it. At bottom, in the presence of light, the material reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to expand and fill the gap, repairing the damage.

Self-healing material can build itself from carbon in the air

Taking a page from green plants, new polymer “grows” through a chemical reaction with carbon dioxide.

October 11, 2018

MIT researchers have developed a technique to fabricate large squares of graphemes that can filter out small molecules and salts.

Stamp-sized graphene sheets riddled with holes could be boon for molecular separation

Fabrication technique could be integrated into manufacturing to make large-scale membranes.

October 9, 2018

MIT researchers have devised a way to grow a single crystalline compound semiconductor on its substrate through two-dimensional materials. The compound semiconductor thin film is then exfoliated by a flexible substrate, showing the rainbow color that comes from thin film interference.

Study opens route to flexible electronics made from exotic materials

Cost-effective method produces semiconducting films from materials that outperform silicon.

October 8, 2018

Desktop Metal's Studio System is designed to make the production of metal parts an office-friendly experience.

Startup uses 3-D printing to reinvent the production of metal parts

With an MIT alumnus and four professors among its co-founders, Desktop Metal is pushing the boundaries of metal 3-D printing.

October 5, 2018

Takian Fakhrul, a fourth-year PhD student in MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Takian Fakhrul: Paving “one-way streets” for light inside photonic devices

PhD student designs materials that help guide light within silicon chips, and seeks to advance materials science in her home country of Bangladesh.

October 2, 2018

A sample of nearly pure copper is deposited on an iron electrode after extraction through an electrochemical process developed by researchers in the lab of MIT Associate Professor Antoine Allanore.

Developing new ways to advance copper production

U.S. Department of Energy grant will support the Allanore lab's advancement of copper production from sulfur-based minerals.

September 25, 2018

The MIT.nano building, at the center of campus adjacent to the Great Dome, has expansive glass facades that allow natural light into the labs while giving visitors a clear view of the research in action.

A big new home for the ultrasmall

MIT.nano building, the largest of its kind, will usher in a new age of nanoscale advancements.

September 23, 2018

“If you have a problem, and you look into the problem in nature and see how animals or plants deal with these kinds of problems and extract those design principles, you can try to replicate [them] using engineering approaches,” saysZijay Tang, a PhD candidate in MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering.

Inspired by nature, reaching across disciplines

PhD student Zijay Tang is developing a living material that can sense and filter water contaminants.

September 17, 2018

MIT neuroscientists have devised a way to measure dopamine in the brain for more than a year, using microfabricated sensors that are so tiny they don’t lead to the formation of scar tissue.

New sensors track dopamine in the brain for more than a year

Tiny probes could be useful for monitoring patients with Parkinson’s and other diseases.

September 12, 2018

2018 MIT Materials Research Laboratory Summer Scholars, are: (front l-r) Michael Molinski, Fernando Nieves Muñoz, Danielle Beatty, Sabrina Shen, Julianna La Lane, Simon Egner; (back l-r) Elizabeth Hallett, Alvin Chang, Sarai Patterson, Ekaterina Tsotsos, Ryan Tollefsen, and Abigail Nason.

Interns at the forefront of new technology

Materials Research Laboratory summer interns tackle materials science challenges, contribute to faculty research labs, and gain new skills.

September 10, 2018

“I pride myself on attempting nontraditional things and pulling in tons of stakeholders. I am the person trying something first and clearing out the hurdles and blazing new trails,” says Will Dickson '14.

MIT alumnus and GM engineer returns to campus to inspire student innovation

Will Dickson ’14 is trailblazing new ways to spark collaborations and scout talent.

September 9, 2018

For the first time, the researchers from MIT and AFFOA have produced fibers with embedded electronics that are so flexible they can be woven into soft fabrics and made into wearable clothing.

Introducing the latest in textiles: Soft hardware

Researchers incorporate optoelectronic diodes into fibers and weave them into washable fabrics.

August 8, 2018

Advanced Fiber workshop participants compare the differences between weft knit and warp knit for sweater construction at FIT in New York City. Pictured (clockwise from left) are Veronica Apsan, Melanie Wong, Jesse Doherty, Erika Anderson, Sebastian Pattinson, David Merchan, and Calvin Zhong.

Inventing future fabrics

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America workshop challenges pioneering MIT and FIT students to conceive new ideas.

July 31, 2018

School of Engineering second quarter 2018 awards

Faculty members recognized for excellence via a diverse array of honors, grants, and prizes over the last quarter.

July 17, 2018

MIT engineers have designed nanoparticles that can be attached to T cells and release T-cell-stimulating molecules called cytokines (yellow spheres). These cytokines activate T cells (blue) to attack nearby tumor cells.

Nanoparticles give immune cells a boost

Drugs carried in cellular “backpacks” help T cells to destroy tumors.

July 9, 2018

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