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An MIT team has discovered that the small molecule ppGpp (red) binds to the PurF enzyme (subunits shown in green and purple).

Engineering "capture compounds" to probe cell growth

Researchers develop a method to investigate how bacteria respond to starvation and to identify which proteins bind to the “magic spot” — ppGpp.

December 17, 2018

The toughness of Sporopollenin, a polymer within the shells of pollen grains (seen here magnified 500X using a scanning electron microscope), has made it possible for plant life to survive on land — but has also frustrated attempts to study its fundamental composition, until now.

Cracking a tough case

Whitehead Institute and MIT researchers uncover the detailed molecular structure of the sporopollenin polymer, an inert material key for the emergence of land plants.

December 17, 2018

Team Solaris won the EnergyHack's first prize for their development on an innovative approach to green and energy efficient buildings.

Hacking away and solving global energy problems

Students from around the world put themselves to the test at this year’s MIT EnergyHack, tackling sustainability issues facing the global energy industry.

December 12, 2018

At the conclusion of Monday’s final presentations for the mechanical design class 2.009, teaching assistants for the class showered the capacity crowd at Kresge Auditorium with confetti, celebrating successful demonstrations of their inventions by eight teams of students.

Student teams design in the face of danger

With water-rescue devices, injury-preventing knives, and more, students launch products that make the world a little safer.

December 11, 2018

While exploring the campus, participants in a Legatum Leadership Forum have a surprise encounter and photo-op with Megan Smith (center), a member of the MIT Corporation and the former U.S. Chief Technology Office under President Obama.

African entrepreneurs visit MIT for leadership boot camp

The Legatum Center joined Zambezi entrepreneurs with MIT faculty, students, and stakeholders for a leadership forum around African prosperity.

December 11, 2018

In this experiment, the new steam-generating device was mounted over a basin of water, placed on a small table, and partially surrounded by a simple, transparent solar concentrator. The researchers measured the temperature of the steam produced over the course of the test day, Oct. 21, 2017.

Sun-soaking device turns water into superheated steam

High-temperature steam might be used in remote regions to cook, clean, or sterilize medical equipment.

December 11, 2018

Building a more inclusive future, worldwide

An avid traveler, organizer, and educator, senior Kathleen Schwind helps others develop skills in negotiation and leadership.

December 10, 2018

MIT employee Pauline Dowell (center) and her seeing eye dog, Dora, hang out near the Charles River with MIT students from Team Pauline: (l-r) Sandy Yang, Tiffany Xi, Rebecca Agustin, and Temitope Olabinjo.

Student group helps blind boater sail independently

Four seniors in the Principles and Practices of Assistive Technology program designed an audible device to help an MIT employee navigate on the water.

December 9, 2018

Elizabeth Bianchini ’18 (center) accepts gold in the Undergraduate Category at the Collegiate Inventors Competition last month for Rhino, a product first developed in 2.009 (Product Engineering Processes). Bianchini was joined on stage by Tony Scardino (left), chief financial officer of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and Drew Hirshfeld, commissioner for patents for the U.S. Patent and Tra...

Alumni team tops Collegiate Inventors Competition

Mechanical engineering alumni of 2.009 (Product Engineering Processes) win with Rhino, a product that makes brick repointing faster, safer, and more accurate.

December 7, 2018