Materials science and engineering

Diagram shows a gold surface (in yellow) with carbene anchors (green) attaching polymer molecules (purple ribbons) to the surface. MIT researchers found that such carbene anchors can be used to attach many different kinds of materials to a variety of surfaces.

A new kind of chemical ‘glue’

Method for attaching molecules to metal surfaces could find applications in medicine, electronics and other fields.

May 30, 2013

Pixelanted image of the MIT Dome in red on a blue background with the left-hand portion of the image also in red

An electrical switch for magnetism

MIT researchers develop a new approach to controlling the motion of magnetic domains; work could lead to low-power computer memory.

May 29, 2013

This illustration shows a lead sulfide quantum dot array. Each quantum dot (the colored clusters) is 'passivated' by molecules that bind to its surface. Dots that are made up of unequal amounts of lead and sulfur tend to cause electrons (shown in red) to become highly localized, which can substantially lower the electrical transport of the device.

Balance is key to making quantum-dot solar cells work

MIT team finds that the ratio of component atoms is vital to performance.

May 24, 2013

Image of hexagonal portion of two slices of graphene, with red and blue dots representing carbon atoms, that are superimposed at a slightly odd angle to create a moire pattern

Stacking 2-D materials produces surprising results

New experiments reveal previously unseen effects, could lead to new kinds of electronics and optical devices.

May 16, 2013

(From left): Donald Sadoway and Antoine Allanore

One order of steel; hold the greenhouse gases

Steelmaking, a major emitter of climate-altering gases, could be transformed by a new process developed at MIT.

May 8, 2013

The MIT team used a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to study the electrical activity of a superlattice material composed of two different compounds of the elements strontium, lanthanum and cobalt. At bottom, a diagram of how they "sliced" the material on an angle to expose wider bands of the thin layers of material. The center two images show the resulting measurements of the surface topograph...

Unleashing oxygen

‘Superlattice’ structure could give a huge boost to oxygen reaction in fuel cells, increasing their power potential.

April 30, 2013

Special deal on photon-to-electron conversion: Two for one!

New technique developed at MIT could enable a major boost in solar-cell efficiency.

April 18, 2013

This diagram shows a molecular view of the structure of bone. The image shows the interface between a collagen protein molecule (top) and a hydroxyapatite mineral crystal (bottom). In bone, a complex combination of collagen and mineral forms into a nano composite that creates a very tough, strong and reliable material.

Decoding the structure of bone

MIT researchers decipher the molecular basis of bone’s remarkable strength and resiliency; work could lead to new treatments and materials.

April 16, 2013

Graphic of a carbon nanotube, colored in rainbow colors on a black background

Explained: Nanowires and nanotubes

Tiny filaments and cylinders are studied for possible uses in energy, electronics, optics and other fields.

April 11, 2013

In a 50/50 mix of copper and niobium, regions that are richer in copper separate from regions that are richer in niobium. The interface between these two kinds of regions forms an irregular sponge-like surface, shown in this visualization in green. While most of the material is disordered (making it a glass), small collections of atoms at the boundary zone (shown in gray) form a stiff interconnect...

A new understanding of metallic glass

Simulations reveal that the formation of some glassy materials is like the setting of a bowl of gelatin.

April 2, 2013

Three by three grid with various blue and gray abstract-looking images

Watching fluid flow at nanometer scales

Researchers find that tiny nanowires can lift liquids as effectively as tubes.

March 31, 2013

Scanning Electron Microscope images show an array of zinc-oxide nanowires (top) and a cross-section of a photovoltaic cell made from the nano wires, interspersed with quantum dots made of lead sulfide (dark areas). A layer of gold at the top (light band) and a layer of indium-tin-oxide at the bottom (lighter area) form the two electrodes of the solar cell.

New solar-cell design based on dots and wires

MIT researchers improve efficiency of quantum-dot photovoltaic system by adding a forest of nanowires.

March 25, 2013

Scanning tunneling microscope image shows an artificial atomic nucleus on graphene, consisting of five pairs of calcium atoms (slightly darker circles at center), in an electron cloud that is on the verge of collapse.

Predicted state of atomic collapse seen for first time

Researchers observe a basic quantum-mechanical phenomenon theorized decades ago by pioneers of atomic theory.

March 14, 2013

Human breast cancer cells (purple) are targeted by nanoparticles (green) developed by MIT professor Paula Hammond. The particles bind to receptors overexpressed by cancer cells.

Practicing medicine at the nanoscale

New approaches to drug delivery offer hope for new, more targeted treatments.

March 11, 2013

Cutting through the fog

New surface coating for glass could eliminate image distortion caused by condensation and also prevent frost buildup.

March 5, 2013

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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