Robotic lab sets up and runs optics experiments on demand
The autonomous system could speed up testing of high-tech materials for applications such as solar cells, sensors, video displays, and quantum technologies.
Fabrication platform could enable flexible, transparent next-generation photonic chips
This scalable process produces high-performance chips for applications like discreet wearables or pliable augmented-reality displays.
Tiny infrared chip could improve detection of gases and heat
The tunable device controls mid-infrared light for more precise thermal imaging, chemical sensing, or pollution monitoring.
Discovery could lead to brighter, more energy-efficient digital displays
Researchers found a simple solution for extending the lifespans of LEDs made from glowing microscopic particles called quantum dots.
Photonics advance could enable compact, high-performance lidar sensors
With a novel design, MIT researchers overcame a stubborn problem that has limited the effectiveness of chip-based systems for lidar.
Self-organizing “pencil beam” laser could help scientists design brain-targeted therapies
MIT researchers leveraged a surprise discovery to devise a faster and more precise biomedical imaging technique.
Light-activated gel could impact wearables, soft robotics, and more
New MIT work advances the growing field of ionotronics, in which data are transferred through ions, potentially providing a bridge between electronics and biological tissue.
Stamping high-res imagery onto everyday items to “reprogram” their appearance
The portable “ChromoLCD” device combines LCD and LED lighting to customize high-quality designs onto things like shirts and whiteboards.
Efficient cooling method could enable chip-based trapped-ion quantum computers
New technique could improve the scalability of trapped-ion quantum computers, an essential step toward making them practically useful.
Checking the quality of materials just got easier with a new AI tool
Acting as a “virtual spectrometer,” SpectroGen generates spectroscopic data in any modality, such as X-ray or infrared, to quickly assess a material’s quality.
Ultrasmall optical devices rewrite the rules of light manipulation
Nanophotonic devices developed at MIT are compact, efficient, reprogrammable, adaptive, and able to dynamically respond to external inputs.
MIT scientists engineer starfish cells to shape-shift in response to light
The research may enable the design of synthetic, light-activated cells for wound healing or drug delivery.
Tiny, wireless antennas use light to monitor cellular communication
As part of a high-resolution biosensing device without wires, the antennas could help researchers decode intricate electrical signals sent by cells.
Physicists magnetize a material with light
The technique provides researchers with a powerful tool for controlling magnetism, and could help in designing faster, smaller, more energy-efficient memory chips.
Noninvasive imaging method can penetrate deeper into living tissue
Using high-powered lasers, this new method could help biologists study the body’s immune responses and develop new medicines.