Nanoscience and nanotechnology

MIT researchers believe they have finally captured the process of quantum melting — a phase transition in quantum mechanics, in which electrons that have formed a crystalline structure purely through their quantum interactions melt into a more disordered fluid, in response to quantum fluctuations to their density.

Scientists detect a quantum crystal of electrons and “watch” it melt

New observations confirm an 80-year-old quantum theory.

December 20, 2016

MIT researchers have fabricated a stamp made from forests of carbon nanotubes that is able to print electronic inks onto rigid and flexible surfaces.

Printable electronics

New stamping technique creates functional features at nanoscale dimensions.

December 7, 2016

Henry Smith awarded IEEE Noyce Medal

Professor emeritus of electrical engineering recognized for contributions to field of nanofabrication.

December 7, 2016

A team at MIT has found an unexpected discovery about water: Inside the tiniest of spaces — in carbon nanotubes whose inner dimensions are not much bigger than a few water molecules — water can freeze solid even at high temperatures that would normally set it boiling. The finding might lead to new applications such as ice-filled wires.

Inside tiny tubes, water turns solid when it should be boiling

MIT researchers discover astonishing behavior of water confined in carbon nanotubes.

November 28, 2016

This image shows simulated iso-frequency contours of a photonic crystal slab superimposed on each other and tiled.

New method for analyzing crystal structure

Exotic materials called photonic crystals reveal their internal characteristics with new method.

November 25, 2016

Institute Professor Millie Dresselhaus accepts the UNESCO Medal from UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova at the awards ceremony on Oct. 11 in Paris, France.

MIT awarded UNESCO Medal for contributions to nanoscience and nanotechnologies

Nanoscience pioneer and Institute Professor Millie Dresselhaus accepted the medal in Paris on behalf of the Institute.

November 7, 2016

By embedding spinach leaves with carbon nanotubes, MIT engineers have transformed spinach plants into sensors that can detect explosives and wirelessly relay that information to a handheld device similar to a smartphone.

Nanobionic spinach plants can detect explosives

After sensing dangerous chemicals, the carbon-nanotube-enhanced plants send an alert.

October 31, 2016

“It’s not enough to have an original idea. You have to make that idea work for the world,” says Karen Gleason, MIT associate provost and professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Karen Gleason: Inventing at the nanoscale and growing an innovation ecosystem

MIT professor and associate provost modifies surfaces at the nanoscale while enhancing innovation around the Institute.

October 17, 2016

Paula Hammond, the David H. Koch Professor in Engineering and head of MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine in recognition of her distinguished contributions to medicine and health.

Paula Hammond elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Chemical engineer recognized for her contributions to medicine and health.

October 17, 2016

Robert Macfarlane, the AMAX Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, holds vials of gold nanoparticles. Macfarlane designs nanoscale crystal structures whose assembly is activated by mutually attractive “sticky ends.”

Faculty highlight: Robert Macfarlane

MIT chemist constructs nanoparticle-based crystals by programming interactions of synthetic polymers and biopolymers at the molecular level.

October 14, 2016

In a time-lapse sequence, infrared imaging shows the temperature changes within a droplet of water as it moves across a treated silicon surface in response to temperature differences on that surface.

Temperature difference propels droplets

Method for moving fluids on a surface may find uses in condensers, microfluidics, and de-icing.

October 14, 2016

To demonstrate the supercapacitor's ability to store power, the researchers modified an off-the-shelf hand-crank flashlight (the red parts at each side) by cutting it in half and installing a small supercapacitor in the center, in a conventional button battery case, seen at top. When the crank is turned to provide power to the flashlight, the light continues to glow long after the cranking stops, ...

New kind of supercapacitor made without carbon

Energy storage device could deliver more power than current versions of this technology.

October 10, 2016

“We are particularly interested in wetsuits for surfing, where the athlete moves frequently between air and water environments,” says Anette (Peko) Hosoi, a professor of mechanical engineering and associate head of the department at MIT. “We can control the length, spacing, and arrangement of hairs, which allows us to design textures to match certain dive speeds and maximize the wetsuit's dr...

Beaver-inspired wetsuits in the works

Rubbery hair-lined wetsuits may help keep surfers warm.

October 5, 2016

These images, taken from a transmission electron microscope, show a perovskite material oscillating as it is exposed to water vapor and a beam of electrons.

Water vapor sets some oxides aflutter

Newly discovered phenomenon could affect materials in batteries and water-splitting devices.

October 3, 2016

Nanosensors could help determine tumors’ ability to remodel tissue

Measuring enzyme levels could help doctors select appropriate treatments.

September 29, 2016

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