Nanoscience and nanotechnology

An artist’s interpretation of a nanomachine on a molecule. Knowing how energy and microscopic fluctuations relate will help scientists design more reliable nanomachines for applications ranging from drug delivery to fuel cell technology.

Physicists prove energy input predicts molecular behavior

Theoretical proof could lead to more reliable nanomachines.

March 21, 2016

Researchers used the spin of light to guide the flow of optical information. Shining right-circularly polarized light on nanoribbons made of special 2-D materials enables light to flow forward on one edge and backward on the other edge. Changing the polarization of the light causes the guided modes to reverse directions.

New way to control particle motions on 2-D materials

Study points the way to new photonic devices with one-way traffic lanes.

March 21, 2016

Synthesizing new physics: MIT assistant professor of physics Joseph Checkelsky (center) and graduate students Linda Ye (left) and Aravind Devarakonda are working to uncover new properties linked to collective behavior of electrons. Their work blends materials science and solid state physics and makes extensive use of high-temperature furnaces (behind them in photo) to produce interesting new compo...

Faculty highlight: Joseph Checkelsky

Synthesizing new physics: Assistant professor blends materials science and solid state physics to uncover new properties linked to collective behavior of electrons.

March 16, 2016

In this time-lapse series of photos, progressing from top to bottom, a coating of sucrose (ordinary sugar) over a wire made of carbon nanotubes is lit at the left end, and burns from one end to the other. As it heats the wire, it drives a wave of electrons along with it, thus converting the heat into electricity.

MIT develops nontoxic way of generating portable power

Battery substitutes produce current by burning fuel-coated carbon nanotubes like a fuse.

March 14, 2016

The metal with carbon nanotubes uniformly dispersed inside “is designed to mitigate radiation damage” for long periods without degrading, Kang Pyo So says. Pictured is an example of how the researchers created aluminum with carbon nanotubes inside.

Carbon nanotubes improve metal’s longevity under radiation

Aluminum used in nuclear reactors and other harsh environments may last longer with new treatment.

March 2, 2016

The MIT team has achieved the thinnest and lightest complete solar cells ever made, they say. To demonstrate just how thin and lightweight the cells are, the researchers draped a working cell on top of a soap bubble, without popping the bubble.

Solar cells as light as a soap bubble

Ultrathin, flexible photovoltaic cells from MIT research could find many new uses.

February 25, 2016

In Profile: Pablo Jarillo-Herrero

Experimental physicist explores the wild frontiers of graphene and other ultrathin materials.

February 24, 2016

Left: Lipid nanoparticles (carrying siRNA) are shown as they are transported inside cells using endocytic vesicles. Right: Gehrke's lab is developing a diagnostic for Dengue virus, a relative to Zika. The device shown, which tested for Ebola, has silver nanoparticles of different colors that indicate different diseases. On the left is the unused device, opened to reveal the contents inside. On the...

Confronting Zika

MIT's Institute of Medical Engineering and Science is on the front lines of efforts to diagnose and develop a vaccine against the emerging Zika virus.

February 23, 2016

$This image of a simulated concrete sample shows the "packing fraction" which describes the fraction of the volume that is filled with solid material. In this case, the average packing fraction is 0.52. Colors indicate the variations within the sample, ranging from less than 0.4 to more than 0.64. The size of the cube is 0.6 microns (millionths of a meter).$