Researchers improve efficiency of next-generation solar cell material
Reducing internal losses could pave the way to low-cost perovskite-based photovoltaics that match silicon cells’ output.
With Perseverance, MIT teams prepare for Mars rover landing
Following touchdown, MOXIE will brew up oxygen while geologists comb for sediments to sample.
Space for all is this student’s goal
Maya Nasr’s work on the Mars 2020 mission has led her to become an advocate for expanding international cooperation in space.
Nanowire could provide a stable, easy-to-make superconducting transistor
Inspired by decades-old MIT research, the new technology could boost quantum computers and other superconducting electronics.
Reductions in CFC-11 emissions put ozone recovery back on track
Scientists observe reduction in emissions of banned ozone-depleting chemical after unexpected spike.
Geologists produce new timeline of Earth’s Paleozoic climate changes
The record shows ancient temperature variations coinciding with shifts in the planet’s biodiversity.
Astronomers detect extended dark matter halo around ancient dwarf galaxy
Findings suggest the first galaxies in the universe were more massive than previously thought.
Search for axions from nearby star Betelgeuse comes up empty
Results significantly narrow the range of possible places to find the hypothetical dark matter particles.
Biden taps Eric Lander and Maria Zuber for senior science posts
Lander to take a leave of absence to assume Cabinet-level post; Zuber to co-chair presidential advisory council.
Professor and astrophysicist Sara Seager appointed officer to the Order of Canada
Pioneer in exoplanet research helped transform the burgeoning field into one of the fastest-growing and most exciting in space science.
3 Questions: Rona Oran and Benjamin Weiss on the ancient moon’s missing magnetism
Simulations rule out plasmas caused by meteoroid impacts as the source of lunar magnetism, supporting the proposal that the ancient moon generated a core dynamo.
Four astronauts with ties to MIT named to NASA’s Artemis team
Artemis program will focus on returning humans to the moon.
Field geology at a distance
As part of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission, Professor Tanja Bosak helps determine the best samples to bring home for clues about life 4 billion years ago.
3 Questions: Using fabric to “listen” to space dust
Fabric samples are headed to the International Space Station for resiliency testing; possible applications include cosmic dust detectors or spacesuit smart skins.
Versatile building blocks make structures with surprising mechanical properties
The subunits could be robotically assembled to produce large, complex objects, including cars, robots, or wind turbine blades.