3 Questions: ARPA-E chief on the energy challenge
During MIT visit, Arun Majumdar issues a wake-up call but says his agency alone cannot solve the energy problem.
Search Stories
Why telecom regulation needs to change
Research suggests that the approach that worked with a few large companies with aligned interests needs revisiting in the Internet age.
Multicore may not be so scary
Research suggests that the free operating system Linux will keep up with the addition of more ‘cores,’ or processing units, to computer chips.
First improvement of fundamental algorithm in 10 years
The max-flow problem, which is ubiquitous in network analysis, scheduling, and logistics, can now be solved more efficiently than ever.
The energy challenge calls on humanities and social-science research
Courses on energy include economics, political science, history, literature and more.
MIT OpenCourseWare teams up with OpenStudy to help OCW users connect
Thousands of OCW visitors interact on pilot OCW OpenStudy groups; program expanded.
Supercomputing on a cell phone
For complex problems whose form can be anticipated but whose particulars can’t, new software can offer approximate solutions in seconds.
A better way to grow stem cells
New synthetic surfaces overcome challenges posed by existing methods for cultivating stem cells.
3 questions: P vs. NP
After glancing over a 100-page proof that claimed to solve the biggest problem in computer science, Scott Aaronson bet his house that it was wrong. Why?
Shining a light — literally — on diabetes
Device from MIT lab could help diabetic patients monitor their blood glucose levels without finger pricks.
The science of baseball
MIT outreach program uses America’s pastime to hook boys on math and physics
When a little knowledge really is dangerous
MIT Sloan professor on the ‘arms race’ between investors trying to understand financial products, and the firms trying to confuse them.