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A safer way to vaccinate

Polymer film that gradually releases DNA coding for viral proteins could offer a better alternative to traditional vaccines.

January 27, 2013

As cells squeeze through a narrow channel, tiny holes open in their membranes, allowing large molecules such as RNA to pass through.

Putting the squeeze on cells

By deforming cells, researchers can deliver RNA, proteins and nanoparticles for many applications.

January 23, 2013

MIT postdoc Gisele Azimi, left, displays three of the 13 different ceramic disks made from oxides of the rare earth elements, with associate professor Kripa Varanasi. Behind them is the furnace used to convert the powdered oxides into solid ceramic form.

Rare earth oxides make water-repellent surfaces that last

Ceramic forms of hydrophobic materials could be far more durable than existing coatings or surface treatments.

January 20, 2013

In their class project, Tshiamo Lechina ’13 (right) and Melissa Showers ’13 worked with Professor of Chemical Engineering Clark Colton to develop flow visualization techniques that will permit analysis of fluid dynamics in a process to create new materials for more energy-efficient tires.

Undergrads take the lead in 10.27

Class offers students a unique opportunity to contribute to the field of energy.

January 15, 2013

Susan Solomon, the Ellen Swallow Richards Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Science

Susan Solomon wins international climate award

MIT professor honored by BBVA for discovering links between atmosphere, climate and human activity.

January 14, 2013

Chia-Chiao Lin, an Institute Professor Emeritus, has died at 96.

Pioneering applied mathematician Chia-Chiao Lin dies at 96

An Institute Professor since 1966, he was an active member of the MIT faculty for 40 years.

January 14, 2013

Watch live video of Zero Robotics

January 11, 2013

Smithsonian recognizes MIT research on water desalination technology

Magazine ranks nanoporous graphene as one of the top five surprising scientific milestones of 2012.

January 9, 2013

Guaranteed delivery — in ad hoc networks

A new algorithm for message dissemination in decentralized networks is faster than its predecessors but, unlike them, guarantees delivery.

January 9, 2013

Undergraduates Marcus Lowe and Victoria Sun developed a vision-based touch screen interpretation system for a blind woman who previously had trouble using her coffee machine’s controls.

Students develop assistive technologies

Undergraduate teams create helpful phone apps and devices for people with disabilities.

January 8, 2013

This image shows multiple microfluidic sites in a single system that can be used to conduct many experiments simultaneously.

Tiny tools help advance medical discoveries

MIT researchers are designing tools to analyze cells at the microscale.

January 8, 2013

In this micrograph of an experimental transistor, blue highlighting indicates areas of "strain," where germanium atoms have been forced closer together than they find comfortable. One of the reasons for the transistor's record-setting performance is that the strain has been relaxed in the lateral direction.

Researchers demonstrate record-setting p-type transistor

New design for a basic component of all computer chips boasts the highest ‘carrier mobility’ yet measured.

January 3, 2013

Illustration shows the layered structure of the new device, starting with a flexible layer of graphene, a one-atom-thick carbon material. A layer of polymer is bonded to that, and then a layer of zinc-oxide nano wires (shown in magenta), and finally a layer of a material that can extract energy from sunlight, such as quantum dots or a polymer-based material.

Flexible, light solar cells could provide new opportunities

MIT researchers develop a new approach using graphene sheets coated with nanowires.

December 21, 2012

From left, Olivia Kyomuhendo, Peris Mwangi, MasterCard Foundation Youth Learning Program Manager Steve Cumming, Eddy Matagala, Rafiatu Lawal and Eyram Adedze during a campus visit.

Young African leaders propose paths to prosperity for the continent

Members of Youth Think Tank meet with Legatum Center staff and fellows at MIT.

December 18, 2012

David Moinina Sengeh is working to improve prosthetic limbs.

Graduate student David Sengeh gives back to Sierra Leone

Media Lab doctoral student created a competition to help youth in his home country create their own solutions.