The hidden structure behind a widely used class of materials
Relaxor ferroelectrics have been used in electronics and sensors for decades, but the source of their unique properties was a mystery until now.
An engineer’s guide to birds
In her new book, “Birds Up Close,” MIT materials engineer Lorna Gibson explores feathers, bones, bills, eggs, and flight, and the mechanics behind birds’ extraordinary abilities.
With a swipe of a magnet, microscopic “magno-bots” perform complex maneuvers
MIT researchers’ new fabrication technique can produce soft, microscopic structures with magnetically activated moving parts.
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.
Geothermal energy turns red hot
MIT Energy Initiative symposium maps a path to tap the planet’s heat-rich rocks for clean power at scale.
Sixteen new START.nano companies are developing hard-tech solutions with the support of MIT.nano
Startup accelerator program grows to over 30 companies, almost half of them with MIT pedigrees.
Researchers develop molecular editing tool to relocate alcohol groups
This new technique will allow chemists to efficiently fine-tune the chemical structure of an organic molecule.
MIT graduate engineering and business programs ranked highly by U.S. News for 2026-27
Graduate engineering program is No. 1 in the nation; MIT Sloan is No. 6.
Electrons in moiré crystals explore higher-dimensional quantum worlds
MIT physicists have discovered 3D “moiré crystals” that simulate four-dimensional quantum materials to a T.
Toward cheaper, cleaner hydrogen production
Co-founded by Dan Sobek ’88, SM ’92, PhD ’97, 1s1 Energy has developed electrochemical cell materials for hydrogen electrolyzers that it says reduces energy use by 30 percent.
MIT researchers use AI to uncover atomic defects in materials
A new model measures defects that can be leveraged to improve materials’ mechanical strength, heat transfer, and energy-conversion efficiency.
MIT engineers design proteins by their motion, not just their shape
An AI model generates novel proteins based on how they vibrate and move, opening new possibilities for dynamic biomaterials and adaptive therapeutics.
Why solid-state batteries keep short-circuiting
New insights into metallic cracks that harm battery performance could advance the longstanding quest to develop energy-dense solid-state batteries.
Lasers, robots, action: MIT workshop explores Raman spectroscopy
Participants learn how laser “fingerprinting” can help identify materials in fields ranging from law enforcement to art restoration.
Turning extreme heat into large-scale energy storage
Fourth Power, founded by Professor Asegun Henry, is developing thermal batteries for efficiently storing excess electricity from utility grids and power producers.