Harnessing nature’s solar cells
Photovoltaic panels made from plant material could become a cheap, easy alternative to traditional solar cells.
Search Stories
How spider webs achieve their strength
It’s not just the strength of the silk itself, a new study finds; the silk’s way of stretching and the structure of the whole web help it resist damage.
For businesses, going green brings in greenbacks
Study finds manufacturers leading the drive to make sustainability a mainstream — and profitable — business practice.
Solving energy problems, one molecule at a time
Materials scientist explores new possibilities in topics from molecules to rooftop solar panels.
How to kick-start new energy technologies
Three-year study produces proposals for boosting energy innovation to meet growing demand, curb global warming.
Need a new material? New tool can help
Exhaustive reference system and interactive toolkit could revolutionize materials research, potentially enabling new types of manufacturing.
Research update: Sharpening the lines
New advance could lead to even smaller features in the constant quest for more compact, faster microchips.
A glow of recognition
New detectors developed at MIT could provide easy visual identification of toxins or pathogens.
Carbon capture? Go for the source
New analysis shows pulling CO2 from the air would not be cost-effective in the foreseeable future.
With changes, the grid can take it
MIT report shows that with new policies, U.S. electric grid could handle expected influx of electric cars and wind and solar generation.
Electronics takes on a new spin
Researchers at MIT find a way to observe and control the way electrons spin on the surface of exotic new materials.
A novel way to concentrate sun’s heat
MIT researchers find a way to generate power without the usual mirror arrays.
Chu: New materials could be transformative
Citing historical examples, U.S. secretary of energy argues that the nation can still regain its manufacturing leadership.
Important step toward computing with light
Research at MIT produces long-sought component to allow complete optical circuits on silicon chips.
Living cells say: Can you hear me now?
Researchers find that cells’ chemical signaling includes a way to tell whether signals are being received or not.