Turning heat into power
A new kind of high-temperature photonic crystal could someday power everything from smartphones to spacecraft.
Solving energy problems, one molecule at a time
Materials scientist explores new possibilities in topics from molecules to rooftop solar panels.
Astronomers find a dark matter galaxy far, far away
Discovery could offer clues on the nature of dark matter.
Watching a gas turn superfluid
New work on ultracold gases may also help scientists understand high-temperature superconductors and neutron stars.
Two new Earth-sized exoplanets discovered
Some 950 light-years away, team finds smallest exoplanets yet detected.
Electronics takes on a new spin
Researchers at MIT find a way to observe and control the way electrons spin on the surface of exotic new materials.
A novel way to concentrate sun’s heat
MIT researchers find a way to generate power without the usual mirror arrays.
The new NSE strategy
Strengthens core, opens boundaries; seeks better integration of technical and societal issues.
Seeing cancer in three dimensions
Scientists find that the 3-D structure of a cancer cell’s chromosomes plays a big role in which genes get deleted or copied.
Shining brightly
Vast amounts of solar energy radiate to the Earth constantly, but tapping that energy cost-effectively remains a challenge.
Where the wind blows
How far can wind power go toward reducing global carbon emissions from electricity production?
What can make a dent?
Given the enormous scale of worldwide energy use, there are limited options for achieving significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Graphene shows unusual thermoelectric response to light
Finding could lead to new photodetectors or energy-harvesting devices.