The Central Machine Shop builds parts that make MIT research work
A secret to the success of many projects at MIT, the Central Machine Shop helps students, faculty, and staff build just about anything that can be machined.
Department
Physics
How to make electrons behave like a liquid
Analysis predicts exotic behaviors such as “negative resistance,” based on fluid-like effects.
Crunching quantum code
MIT physics graduate student Sagar Vijay co-develops error correction method for quantum computing based on special electronic states called Majorana fermions.
Amelia Trainer: Structuring improved simulations for reactor physics
MIT sophomore is passionate about coding projects that model neutron behavior inside nuclear reactors.
Q&A: Rainer Weiss on LIGO’s origins
MIT physicist developed the concept for LIGO as a teaching exercise.
Scientists make first direct detection of gravitational waves
LIGO signal reveals first observation of two massive black holes colliding, proves Einstein right.
Gravitational waves detected 100 years after Einstein’s prediction
LIGO opens a new window on the universe with the observation of gravitational waves from colliding black holes.
Faculty highlight: Liang Fu
MIT theoretical physicist’s research bridges abstract math and exotic computing materials.
Physicists control electrons at femtosecond timescales
Results may help improve efficiency of solar cells, energy-harvesting devices.
A nanophotonic comeback for incandescent bulbs?
Researchers combine the warm look of traditional light bulbs with 21st-century energy efficiency.
Most distant massive galaxy cluster identified
Formed in the first 4 billion years of the universe, cluster is 1,000 times more massive than the Milky Way.
25 from MIT named to Forbes 30 Under 30 lists in 2016
Students, researchers, and alumni honored in the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 lists showcasing America’s most important young entrepreneurs, thinkers, and leaders.
Clearing the way for Floquet-Bloch states
Team demonstrates pure quantum-mechanical mixture of electrons and photons in the solid topological insulator bismuth selenide.
Pappalardo Fellow Or Hen wins Israel Physical Society graduate research prize
First time prize is awarded in experimental nuclear physics.