Chemists create organic molecules in a rainbow of colors
The molecules, known as acenes, could be useful as organic light-emitting diodes or solar cells, among other possible applications.
AI accelerates problem-solving in complex scenarios
A new, data-driven approach could lead to better solutions for tricky optimization problems like global package routing or power grid operation.
How a mutation in microglia elevates Alzheimer’s risk
A new study finds that microglia with mutant TREM2 protein reduce brain circuit connections, promote inflammation, and contribute to Alzheimer’s pathology in other ways.
A mineral produced by plate tectonics has a global cooling effect, study finds
An accordion-textured clay called smectite efficiently traps organic carbon and could help buffer global warming over millions of years.
A new optimization framework for robot motion planning
MIT CSAIL researchers established new connections between combinatorial and continuous optimization, which can find global solutions for complex motion-planning puzzles.
Immune action at a distance
MIT and MGH researchers design a local, gel-based drug-delivery platform that may provoke a system-wide immune response to metastatic tumors.
New study shows how universities are critical to emerging fusion industry
Fusion’s success as a renewable energy depends on the creation of an industry to support it, and academia is vital to that industry’s development.
With a quantum “squeeze,” clocks could keep even more precise time, MIT researchers propose
More stable clocks could measure quantum phenomena, including the presence of dark matter.
Q&A: Phillip Sharp and Amy Brand on the future of open-access publishing
An MIT-based white paper identifies leading questions in the quest to make open-access publications sustainable.
Elly Nedivi receives 2023 Kreig Cortical Kudos Discoverer Award
The neuroscientist is recognized for her ongoing work to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms that enable the brain to adapt to experience.
A new way to see the activity inside a living cell
Using fluorescent labels that switch on and off, MIT engineers can study how molecules in a cell interact to control the cell’s behavior.
A new way to deliver drugs more efficiently
Core-shell structures made of hydrogel could enable more efficient uptake in the body.
Boosting rocket reliability at the material level
Zack Cordero’s research focuses on extending the lifespan of reusable rockets, while simultaneously reducing the risk of catastrophic failure.
Team engineers nanoparticles using ion irradiation to advance clean energy and fuel conversion
The work demonstrates control over key properties leading to better performance.
New method uses crowdsourced feedback to help train robots
Human Guided Exploration (HuGE) enables AI agents to learn quickly with some help from humans, even if the humans make mistakes.