Chemical engineering

This diagram depicts the essential functioning of the lithium-air battery.Ions of lithium combine with oxygen from the air to form particles of lithium oxides, which attach themselves to carbon fibers on the electrode as the battery is being used. During recharging, the lithium oxides separate again into lithium and oxygen and the process can begin again.

Research update: Improving batteries’ energy storage

New method allows a dramatic boost in capacity for a given weight.

July 25, 2011

Researchers at MIT and MGH have developed a polymer gel that mimics the vibrations of human vocal cords.

New material could offer hope to those with no voice

MIT and Harvard researchers are developing a synthetic material to revitalize damaged vocal cords.

July 14, 2011

Research update: New way to store sun’s heat

Modified carbon nanotubes can store solar energy indefinitely, then be recharged by exposure to the sun.

July 13, 2011

Barr holds a sheet of paper that has had one of the layers of the solar cell printed on its surface

While you’re up, print me a solar cell

New MIT-developed materials make it possible to produce photovoltaic cells on paper or fabric, nearly as simply as printing a document.

July 11, 2011

When compounds of bromine or chlorine (represented in blue) are introduced into a block of graphite (shown in green), the atoms find their way into the structure in between every third sheet, thus increasing the spacing between those sheets and making it easier to split them apart.

Layer upon layer

Method holds promise for making two- or three-tier graphene films that could be used for new electronic devices.

June 28, 2011

David H. Koch Institute Professor Robert S. Langer

Robert Langer wins top chemistry award

Institute Professor receives the ACS's Priestley Medal.

June 21, 2011

Ragon Institute researchers identified potential HIV vaccine targets in a subunit of the Gag protein. Six of those subunits come together to form the hexagonal proteins that make up the viral capsid.

Scientists reveal HIV weakness

Vaccines that target newly identified viral protein sequences could be more effective than previous efforts.

June 21, 2011

This diagram illustrates the way the electronic configuration of metal ions can control the activity of metal oxides for oxygen reduction, varying it by a factor of at least 10,000 times. This can serve as a design principle (symbolized as a “volcano plot”) to screen metal oxide candidates and accelerate the development of efficient fuel cells, metal-air batteries and other energy storage tech...

How to choose a catalyst

MIT researchers provide a simple principle to predict which materials will perform best in fuel cells and metal air batteries.

June 13, 2011

‘Artificial leaf’ moves closer to reality

MIT researchers develop a device that combines a solar cell with a catalyst to split water molecules and generate energy.

June 9, 2011

Two from MIT named Goldwater Scholars

Undergraduates receive top honor in collegiate math, science and engineering education

May 16, 2011

The MIT researchers' sensor uses carbon nanotubes (in yellow) covered in protein fragments to detect even a single molecule of an explosive, such as the TNT molecule shown here.

Finding a needle in a haystack

New sensor developed by MIT chemical engineers can detect tiny traces of explosives.

May 10, 2011

Paula Hammond, Bayer Professor of Chemical Engineering and a member of the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT.

Removable ‘cloak’ for nanoparticles helps them target tumors

New MIT particles could be used to deliver cancer drugs to nearly any type of tumor.

April 29, 2011