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In a demonstration of the basic chemical reactions used in the new process, electrolysis takes place in neutral water. Dyes show how acid (pink) and base (purple) are produced at the positive and negative electrodes. A variation of this process can be used to convert calcium carbonate (CaCO3) into calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), which can then be used to make Portland cement without producing any gre...

New approach suggests path to emissions-free cement

MIT researchers find a way to eliminate carbon emissions from cement production — a major global source of greenhouse gases.

September 16, 2019

Using the 3D printing method developed by the MIT researchers, a structure such as this model airplane wing could have both light emitters and light detectors embedded in the material, so that it could continuously detect any micro-cracks as they begin to form.

Engineers develop multimaterial fiber “ink” for 3-D-printed devices

Filaments with embedded circuitry can be used to print complex shapes for biomedical and robotic devices.

September 11, 2019

High-resolution mapping of the distribution of elements in a sample from the 2,000-year-old Temple Scroll, as shown by the colors at the right of this image, is providing insight into the scroll's ancient fabrication methods.

How to make a book last for millennia

Study of Dead Sea Scroll sheds light on a lost ancient parchment-making technology.

September 6, 2019

Professor John Sterman displays maps showing the consequences of sea-level rise on various coastal cities, as part of the “SimPlanet” event at MIT.

Reaching climate solutions through negotiation

At “SimPlanet” event, students test-drive new computer simulation to reveal outcomes of different policy decisions.

September 6, 2019

Images showing interference patterns (top) and a Wilson loop (bottom) were produced by the researchers to confirm the presence of non-Abelian gauge fields created in the research.

Exotic physics phenomenon is observed for first time

Observation of the predicted non-Abelian Aharonov-Bohm Effect may offer step toward fault-tolerant quantum computers.

September 5, 2019

Members of the incoming Class of 2023 and their families listen to remarks by President Reif and three professors who are also MIT alums.

A warm reception for the Class of 2023

“I’m here to welcome you to your new home!” President L. Rafael Reif tells first-year students.

August 27, 2019

A new study finds that depending on the location, in some cases an equivalent or even bigger reduction in emissions could be achieved by switching to lightweight conventional (gas-powered) vehicles instead of electric power vehicles.

What’s the best way to cut vehicle greenhouse-gas emissions?

Study finds that in some locations, lightweight gas-powered cars could have a bigger emissions-reducing impact than electric ones.

August 26, 2019

Muslim pilgrims gathered to perform Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Study: Climate change could pose danger for Muslim pilgrimage

When the Hajj comes in summertime, in some years it may not be safe for participants to remain outdoors.

August 22, 2019

Diagram illustrates the structure of the tiny bubbles, called liposomes, used to deliver drugs. The blue spheres represent lipids, a kind of fat molecule, surrounding a central cavity containing magnetic nanoparticles (black) and the drug to be delivered (red). When the nanoparticles are heated, the drug can escape into the body.

A new way to deliver drugs with pinpoint targeting

Magnetic particles allow drugs to be released at precise times and in specific areas.

August 19, 2019

Large anions with long tails (blue) in ionic liquids can make them self-assemble into sandwich-like bilayer structures on electrode surfaces. Ionic liquids with such structures have much improved energy storage capabilities.

New type of electrolyte could enhance supercapacitor performance

Novel class of “ionic liquids” may store more energy than conventional electrolytes — with less risk of catching fire.

August 12, 2019

An example of an interstellar collisionless shock is seen in this photo of a bow shock in the Orion Nebula.

Astrophysical shock phenomena reproduced in the laboratory

Lab-scale experiment could help scientists understand interstellar and galactic-scale smashups.

August 6, 2019

The computer system and software that controlled the Apollo 11 spacecraft — called the Apollo Guidance Computer and designed by the MIT Instrumentation Lab team — helped push technology forward in many ways. The computer itself was the first significant use of silicon integrated circuit chips.

Behind the scenes of the Apollo mission at MIT

From making the lunar landings possible to interpreting the meaning of the moon rocks, the Institute was a vital part of history.

July 18, 2019

The tiny coils in the fiber developed by MIT researchers curl even tighter when warmed up. This causes the fiber to contract, much like a muscle fiber.

Artificial “muscles” achieve powerful pulling force

New MIT system of contracting fibers could be a boon for biomedical devices and robotics.

July 11, 2019

Scanning electron microscope images of the crystal structure of the block copolymer material, illustrating their unusual quasicrystal symmetries. Regions with different symmetry properties are highlighted in different colors, and examples of the different patterns, which resemble some ancient tiling patterns, are shown in the accompanying diagrams.

A new way of making complex structures in thin films

Self-assembling materials can form patterns that might be useful in optical devices.

July 5, 2019

Diagram depicts the process of “singlet fission,” which is the first step toward producing two electrons from a single incoming photon of light.

Experiments show dramatic increase in solar cell output

Method for collecting two electrons from each photon could break through theoretical solar-cell efficiency limit.

July 3, 2019

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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