School of Engineering

MIT researchers have discovered a phenomenon that could be harnessed to control the movement of tiny particles floating in suspension. This approach, which requires simply applying an external electrical field, may ultimately lead to new ways of performing certain industrial or medical processes that require separation of tiny suspended materials.

Study finds electrical fields can throw a curveball

Particle-scale phenomenon akin to the swerving of a curveball could allow selective separation of suspended nanomaterials.

May 26, 2020

2020 MIT Fulbright scholars include Sandra Walter, Srimayi Tenali, William Pinney, Talia Khan, Anshula Gandhi, Booker Schelhaas, Christien Williams, Ivy Li, Kedi Hu, and Max Kessler.

Eleven from MIT awarded 2020 Fulbright Fellowships

Graduating seniors and recent alumni will spend upcoming year abroad on Fulbright grants.

May 22, 2020

An MIT study shows that electrical vehicle batteries could have a useful and profitable second life as backup storage for grid-scale solar photovoltaic installations, where they could perform for more than a decade in this less demanding role. This image shows a ‘cut-away’ view of a lithium-ion battery over a background of cars and solar panels.

Solar energy farms could offer second life for electric vehicle batteries

Modeling study shows battery reuse systems could be profitable for both electric vehicle companies and grid-scale solar operations.

May 22, 2020

For generations, dissertation defenses have been crowning moments for PhD candidates. Now, with the pandemic limiting activity on the MIT campus from mid-March onward, moving dissertation defenses to Zoom has been a necessary adjustment.

Inside the new world of online dissertation defenses

Emojis, grandmas logging in, and kudos from strangers: How MIT students have finished their PhDs during the pandemic.

May 22, 2020

"I really like the way the project teams are designed to be fluid. Everyone knows who’s working on what, and you can sit in on meetings if you want to. We all have a limited amount of time, but the resources are there,”. says Erica Salazar.

The quest for practical fusion energy sources

Graduate student Erica Salazar tackles a magnetic engineering challenge.

May 21, 2020

Microsoft President Brad Smith’s conversation with MIT Professor Daniela Rus on May 14 spanned a wide range of topics, from the challenges of Covid-19 to the security of online voting. The event was held as part of MIT’s “Hot Topics in Computing” series.

Microsoft President Brad Smith talks data, Covid-19, and a potential “digital 9/11”

Smith spoke with CSAIL Director Daniela Rus as part of a special series co-presented by the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

May 21, 2020

Oxygen evolution reactions are important in a variety of industrial processes. A new study provides a detailed analysis of the process at a molecular level. As illustrated here, the researchers analyzed how molecules of water (H2O, left) are catalyzed by specific locations on a surface of ruthenium dioxide (center) to form molecules of oxygen (O2, right).

Study unveils details of how a widely used catalyst splits water

“Gold standard” material for generating oxygen from water divulges its molecular mechanisms.

May 21, 2020

A new technology called ELAST transforms tissues, such as this slab of human brain, to make them reversibly stretchable or compressible, as well as much more durable. This allows them to be repeatedly stretched out or squished down thin for much faster infusion of labeling probes, which labs use to highlight cells or molecules under the microscope.

Making tissue stretchable, compressible, and nearly indestructible

Chemical process called ELAST allows labeling probes to infuse more quickly, and makes samples tough enough for repeated handling.

May 20, 2020

The researchers ran hundreds of atom-by-atom simulations of the propagation of cracks through different kinds of layered material, to see which ones were most effective at stopping the cracks from making it all the way through the material. Shown here are a variety of simulation runs showing different outcomes.

Machine-learning tool could help develop tougher materials

Engineers develop a rapid screening system to test fracture resistance in billions of potential materials.

May 20, 2020

“My goal is to address climate change as an innovator and creator, whether by pushing the boundaries of science” through research or pursuing a zero-carbon future as an entrepreneur, says MIT PhD candidate Pablo Ducru.

A scientist turns to entrepreneurship

After delivering novel computational methods for nuclear problems, nuclear science and engineering PhD candidate Pablo Ducru plunges into startup life.

May 20, 2020

Clockwise from upper left: Angela Belcher, Bruce Walker, Jianzhu Chen, Feng Zhang, Siqi Zheng, and Lee Gehrke

Six from MIT awarded research funding to address Covid-19

Multi-institutional MassCPR initiative announces more than $16.5 million to support 62 Boston-area projects.

May 19, 2020

A SMART Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group scientist optimizes a prototype assay.

SMART researchers receive grant to develop rapid tests for Covid-19

Using engineered binder proteins to detect viral proteins or antibodies rather than RNA, new tests may overcome current challenges in testing for SARS-CoV-2 virus.

May 19, 2020

“The goal is to make sure that the masks and respirators being distributed are actually protecting our frontline responders. Ineffective masks could put them in danger,” says MIT PhD student Junli Hao.

MIT student applies her doctoral research to the Covid-19 emergency

Junli Hao's efforts aid procurement of face masks and respirators for first responders.

May 19, 2020

White blood cells are among the first to mount an attack against sepsis, a deadly complication of Covid-19. In a project led by MIT Professor Daniela Rus, researchers are developing a machine learning system to detect an activated immune response to sepsis which could lead to earlier, more aggressive treatment. Here, a white blood cell attacks malaria.

Marshaling artificial intelligence in the fight against Covid-19

The MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab is funding 10 research projects aimed at addressing the health and economic consequences of the pandemic.

May 19, 2020

Hadley Sikes, who recently earned tenure in MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, devotes much of her lab’s effort to devising inexpensive, highly sensitive tests for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and cancer.

Making an impact through chemical engineering

Hadley Sikes designs simple-to-use diagnostic devices that could benefit patients around the world.

May 18, 2020

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Browse By

Topics

Departments

Centers, Labs, & Programs

Schools

School

Study finds electrical fields can throw a curveball

Eleven from MIT awarded 2020 Fulbright Fellowships

Solar energy farms could offer second life for electric vehicle batteries

Inside the new world of online dissertation defenses

The quest for practical fusion energy sources

Microsoft President Brad Smith talks data, Covid-19, and a potential “digital 9/11”

Study unveils details of how a widely used catalyst splits water

Making tissue stretchable, compressible, and nearly indestructible

Machine-learning tool could help develop tougher materials

A scientist turns to entrepreneurship

Six from MIT awarded research funding to address Covid-19

SMART researchers receive grant to develop rapid tests for Covid-19

MIT student applies her doctoral research to the Covid-19 emergency

Marshaling artificial intelligence in the fight against Covid-19

Making an impact through chemical engineering

Browse By

Topics

Departments

Centers, Labs, & Programs

Schools

Breadcrumb

School

School of Engineering