Department snapshot: Civil and Environmental Engineering
From bacteria to bridges, CEE researchers tackle natural and built environments.
At MIT, Dalai Lama calls for better stewardship of Earth’s resources
Tibetan Buddhist leader urges a more enlightened view of self-interest in remarks at MIT conference.
The mathematics of leaf decay
A mathematical model reveals commonality within the diversity of leaf decay.
In profile: Chris Zegras
MIT urban planner builds tools that help designers make cities cleaner and greener.
How to clean up oil spills
MIT researchers devise a surprisingly simple but effective method for magnetically separating oil and water.
Study maps pollution’s pathway to the Arctic, sets path for future research
MIT researchers have built a model that will be further developed as part of an NSF-funded project to track how chemicals get to remote Arctic environments.
Lead from gasoline discovered in Indian Ocean
Levels began to climb in the 1970s, peaking a decade ago — a timeline consistent with the region’s pattern of leaded gasoline use.
Seeing Green: Saving Forests or Food Prices?
A growing population and rapid development will put a strain on land used to grow food over the next century. But if reforestation is used to avoid climate change it will create further strain, says a new MIT study.
From yeast, researchers learn how populations collapse
Findings could help fishery and wildlife managers monitor their stocks before disaster strikes.
Oxygen-separation membranes could aid in CO2 reduction
Ceramic membranes may reduce carbon dioxide emissions from gas and coal-fired powerplants.