Speedy robo-gripper reflexively organizes cluttered spaces Rather than start from scratch after a failed attempt, the pick-and-place robot adapts in the moment to get a better hold. April 27, 2023 Read full story →
New black hole images reveal a glowing, fluffy ring and a high-speed jet The observations will help astronomers pin down the physics of the plasma around black holes. April 26, 2023 Read full story →
A message to meteorite hunters: Put down your magnets! A new study shows that simple hand magnets erase a meteorite’s magnetic memory. April 20, 2023 Read full story →
Even as temperatures rise, this hydrogel material keeps absorbing moisture MIT engineers identified an unusually absorbent material that could be used for passive cooling or water harvesting in warm climates. April 18, 2023 Read full story →
Study: Shutting down nuclear power could increase air pollution If reactors are retired, polluting energy sources that fill the gap could cause more than 5,000 premature deaths, researchers estimate. April 10, 2023 Read full story →
Scientists map gusty winds in a far-off neutron star system The 2D map of this “disk wind” may reveal clues to galaxy formation. April 10, 2023 Read full story →
How cell mechanics influences everything Ming Guo seeks connections between a cell’s physical form and its biological function, which could illuminate ways to halt abnormal cell growth. March 26, 2023 Read full story →
Mix-and-match kit could enable astronauts to build a menagerie of lunar exploration bots Robotic parts could be assembled into nimble spider bots for exploring lava tubes or heavy-duty elephant bots for transporting solar panels. March 14, 2023 Read full story →
New “traffic cop” algorithm helps a drone swarm stay on task By keeping data fresh, the system could help robots inspect buildings or search disaster zones. March 13, 2023 Read full story →
It’s a weird, weird quantum world In MIT’s 2023 Killian Lecture, Peter Shor shares a brief history of quantum computing from a personal viewpoint. March 10, 2023 Read full story →
Study: Smoke particles from wildfires can erode the ozone layer MIT chemists show the Australian wildfires widened the ozone hole by 10 percent in 2020. March 8, 2023 Read full story →
3Q: What we learned from the asteroid-smashing DART mission Saverio Cambioni discusses new results revealing the redirected asteroid Dimorphos to be a dust-trailing rubble-pile. March 2, 2023 Read full story →
Phiala Shanahan is seeking fundamental answers about our physical world With supercomputers and machine learning, the physicist aims to illuminate the structure of everyday particles and uncover signs of dark matter. February 28, 2023 Read full story →
Custom, 3D-printed heart replicas look and pump just like the real thing The soft robotic models are patient-specific and could help clinicians zero in on the best implant for an individual. February 22, 2023 Read full story →
Engineers invent vertical, full-color microscopic LEDs Stacking light-emitting diodes instead of placing them side by side could enable fully immersive virtual reality displays and higher-resolution digital screens. February 1, 2023 Read full story →