Light-controlled polymers can switch between sturdy and soft
New material reversibly changes its structure in response to different wavelengths of light.
New study again proves Einstein right
Most thorough test to date finds no Lorentz violation in high-energy neutrinos.
Sound waves reveal diamond cache deep in Earth’s interior
Study finds 1–2 percent of Earth’s oldest mantle rocks are made from diamond.
Molecular clock could greatly improve smartphone navigation
Novel chip keeps time using the constant, measurable rotation of molecules as a timing reference.
Could gravitational waves reveal how fast our universe is expanding?
Signals from rare black hole-neutron star pairs could pinpoint rate at which universe is growing, researchers say.
Study finds potential in brackish groundwater desalination
Water-starved areas could find new sources by desalinating water that’s much less salty than seawater.
Summer projects in motion
Lab assignments for MIT Materials Research Laboratory undergraduate researchers and teachers cut across disciplines.
Study shows where brain transforms seeing into doing
MIT neuroscientists find posterior parietal cortex region is crucial to connecting perception to action.
Researchers decode molecule that gives living tissues their flexibility
Study reveals atomic structure of tropoelastin, showing what goes wrong in some diseases.
Nearly 80 exoplanet candidates identified in record time
Search considered successful “dress rehearsal” for exoplanet hunter TESS.
Chip upgrade helps miniature drones navigate
Low-power design will allow devices as small as a honeybee to determine their location while flying.
Magnetic 3-D-printed structures crawl, roll, jump, and play catch
New printing technique could be used to develop remotely controlled biomedical devices.
Novel transmitter protects wireless data from hackers
Device uses ultrafast “frequency hopping” and data encryption to protect signals from being intercepted and jammed.
Keeping data fresh for wireless networks
Algorithm provides networks with the most current information available while avoiding data congestion.
AI-based method could speed development of specialized nanoparticles
Neural network could expedite complex physics simulations.