Energy

A drawing illustrates the unusual topological landscape around a pair of features known as exceptional points (red dots), showing the emergence of a Fermi arc (pink line at center), and exotic polarization contours that form a Mobius-strip-like texture (top and bottom strips).

New exotic phenomena seen in photonic crystals

Researchers observe, for the first time, topological effects unique to an “open” system.

January 11, 2018

Evelyn Wang (left) and Heena Mutha have developed a nondestructive method of quantifying the detailed characteristics of carbon nanotube samples — a valuable tool for optimizing these materials for use as electrodes in a variety of practical devices.

Optimizing carbon nanotube electrodes

New model measures characteristics of carbon nanotube structures for energy storage and water desalination applications.

January 5, 2018

“The kind of engineering that I want to do is the kind that can change people’s lives for the better,” says MIT senior Nick Schwartz.

Changing lives with heart, humor, and engineering

MIT senior and Marshall Scholar Nick Schwartz wants to solve the energy problem — and make people smile along the way.

January 3, 2018

This experimental setup was used by the team to measure the electrical output of a sample of solar cell material, under controlled conditions of varying temperature and illumination. The data from those tests was then used as the basis for computer modeling using statistical methods to predict the overall performance of the material in real-world operating conditions.

New technique allows rapid screening for new types of solar cells

Approach could bypass the time-consuming steps currently needed to test new photovoltaic materials.

December 20, 2017

At the MIT Conference for the Resilient Reconstruction of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló ’01 (left), described the devastation of recent hurricanes and discussed opportunities for collaboration on resilient rebuilding. He spoke with Robert Stoner, deputy director of the MIT Energy Initiative and director of the Tata Center for Technology and Design.

MIT conference seeks solutions for reconstruction in devastated Caribbean

Two-day workshop featuring island leaders explores ways to rebuild better, more resilient infrastructure.

December 15, 2017

In a panel discussion during the Dec. 7-8 climate summit at MIT, one of the liveliest discussions also featured some of the most diverse perspectives, as speakers delved into the complex issues surrounding decarbonization of the transportation sector. From left to right: Vicki Arroyo (moderator), Georgetown Climate Center; Jessika Trancik, MIT; Stephanie Pollack, Massachusetts Department of Transp...

MIT convenes researchers and policymakers for regional climate action

Two-day summit on climate leadership in northeastern North America draws almost 200 to MIT.

December 12, 2017

MIT Vice President for Research Maria Zuber and former U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems emeritus at MIT, engaged in a fireside chat at the C3E Women in Clean Energy Symposium, discussing technology, policy, and the importance of women's leadership in STEM fields.

A bipartisan message of clean energy progress

In the face of global challenges, leading women in energy and climate convene at the C3E 2017 Clean Energy Symposium.

December 7, 2017

MIT postdoc Yuhao Zhang, handles a wafer with hundreds of vertical gallium nitride power devices fabricated from the Microsystems Technology Laboratories production line.

Device makes power conversion more efficient

New design could dramatically cut energy waste in electric vehicles, data centers, and the power grid.

December 6, 2017

Lihong "Wendy" Duan, manager of the Asia Pacific Energy Partnership Program at the MIT Energy Initiative, and Singh Intrachooto, chief advisor of MQDC’s Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center, shake hands during a signing ceremony to launch the collaboration.

Collaborating to cut emissions in the property sector

Bangkok-based property developer MQDC is joining the MIT Energy Initiative’s Low-Carbon Energy Center for Electric Power Systems Research.

December 5, 2017

A slight mismatch between the hexagonal structures of molybdenum disulfide and tungsten diselenide creates a strain that can be released by the formation of a "5|7 dislocation," in which two hexagons collapse to form a pentagon and a heptagon. Reactions with molybdenum disulfide in the environment cause the dislocation to move deeper into the tungsten diselenide, drawing a nanowire of molybdenum d...

New nanowires are just a few atoms thick

Subnanometer-scale channels in 2-D materials could point toward future electronics, solar cells.

December 4, 2017

XiaoYu Wu pictured with the reactor his team used for the research. MIT researchers have developed a new system that could potentially be used for converting power plant emissions of carbon dioxide into useful fuels. The method may not only cut greenhouse emissions; it could also produce another potential revenue stream to help defray its costs.

Turning emissions into fuel

MIT-developed method converts carbon dioxide into useful compounds.

November 28, 2017

MIT is on the path to achieve at least a 32 percent reduction in campus emissions of greenhouse gases by the year 2030.

Institute on track to meet campus climate action goals

Plans are in place to meet or exceed greenhouse gas reduction targets.

November 21, 2017

“I care a lot about the staff who work here and their safety,” MIT Nuclear Reactor Superintendent Sarah Don says, “so I have to make sure we do things the right way — the safe way — 100 percent of the time."

Sarah Don: Building nuclear connections

MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory's superintendent works to give more students the opportunity to work with and learn from the reactor.

November 20, 2017

The Terzo Millenio, or Third Millennium, concept car from Lamborghini marks an ambitious collaboration between the Italian automaker and researchers at MIT.

MIT researchers collaborate with Lamborghini to develop an electric car of the future

Research from the Dinca and Hart labs, paired with Lamborghini’s “hypercar” concept, will result in the Terzo Millenio, an electric sports car for the third millennium.

November 17, 2017

MIT Energy Hackathon leaders handed out stickers at this year's registration tables.

A year of many firsts for the MIT Energy Hackathon

With its best showing yet in a three-year history, the MIT Energy Hackathon fostered innovation with technological advancement from students around the world.