Electrons become fractions of themselves in graphene, study finds
An exotic electronic state observed by MIT physicists could enable more robust forms of quantum computing.
Technique could improve the sensitivity of quantum sensing devices
The method lets researchers identify and control larger numbers of atomic-scale defects, to build a bigger system of qubits.
Benchtop test quickly identifies extremely impact-resistant materials
High-speed experiments can help identify lightweight, protective “metamaterials” for spacecraft, vehicles, helmets, or other objects.
A carbon-lite atmosphere could be a sign of water and life on other terrestrial planets, MIT study finds
A low carbon abundance in planetary atmospheres, which the James Webb Space Telescope can detect, could be a signature of habitability.
A mineral produced by plate tectonics has a global cooling effect, study finds
An accordion-textured clay called smectite efficiently traps organic carbon and could help buffer global warming over millions of years.
MIT physicists turn pencil lead into “gold”
Thin flakes of graphite can be tuned to exhibit three important properties.
Bringing the environment to the forefront of engineering
Desirée Plata is on a lifelong mission to make sustainability a bigger factor in design decisions.
From a five-layer graphene sandwich, a rare electronic state emerges
A newly discovered type of electronic behavior could help with packing more data into magnetic memory devices.
Physicists coax superconductivity and more from quasicrystals
Flexible platform could produce enigmatic materials, lead to new studies of exotic phenomena.
Study suggests energy-efficient route to capturing and converting CO2
The findings, based on a single electrochemical process, could help cut emissions from the hardest-to-decarbonize industries, such as steel and cement.
Sensing and controlling microscopic spin density in materials
By fine-tuning the spin density in some materials, researchers may be able to develop new quantum sensors or quantum simulations.
MIT engineers create an energy-storing supercapacitor from ancient materials
Made of cement, carbon black, and water, the device could provide cheap and scalable energy storage for renewable energy sources.
New sensor mimics cell membrane functions
The device detects the same molecules that cell receptors do, and may enable routine early screening for cancers and other diseases.
MIT physicists predict exotic new phenomena and give “recipe” for realizing them
Work with skyrmions could have applications in future computers and more.
Resilient bug-sized robots keep flying even after wing damage
New repair techniques enable microscale robots to recover flight performance after suffering severe damage to the artificial muscles that power their wings.