Research

Dark Energy Survey image of the region surrounding the faint dwarf galaxy Reticulum II. The nine brightest known stars in the galaxy are marked with red circles. Spectra showing the unique chemical content of three stars are shown.

3 Questions: The origin of the cosmos’ heaviest elements

Unique galaxy offers clues to the extreme conditions that yield the heavies of the periodic table.

March 21, 2016

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

“This is a rethinking of the Web infrastructure,” Frank Wang says. “Maybe it’s better that one person manages all their data. There’s one type of security and not 10 types of security. We’re trying to present an alternative model that would be beneficial to both users and applications.”

Secure, user-controlled data

Cryptographic system would allow users to decide which applications access which aspects of their data.

March 18, 2016

A presentation during the 2016 CEE Research Speed Dating Day event

Joining efforts to build a more sustainable future

Sixth Annual CEE Research Speed Dating showcases research to promote collaboration

March 17, 2016

Pictured is an artist’s interpretation of neurons firing in sporadic, coordinated bursts. “By having these different bursts coming at different moments in time, you can keep different items in memory separate from one another,” Earl Miller says.

A new glimpse into working memory

Study finds bursts of neural activity as the brain holds information in mind, overturns a long-held model.

March 17, 2016

“An intersection is a difficult place, because you have two flows competing for the same piece of real estate,” Carlo Ratti says.

When slower is faster

Study: Communicating vehicles could ease through intersections more efficiently.

March 17, 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

Researchers say the findings raise the possibility of developing future treatments that might reverse some of the memory loss seen in early-stage Alzheimer’s.

“Lost” memories can be found

Neuroscientists retrieve missing memories in mice with early Alzheimer’s symptoms.

March 16, 2016

(Left to right) Miles Miller, Frank Gertler, Douglas Lauffenburger, and Madeleine Oudin in the Gertler Lab at MIT.

Why some tumors withstand treatment

Researchers uncover a mechanism that allows cancer cells to evade targeted therapies.

March 16, 2016

Transforming the U.S. transportation system by 2050 to address climate challenges

MIT Energy Initiative report provides recommendations for reductions in light-duty vehicle energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

March 15, 2016

“We propose that you use the carbon tax in moderation and use research subsidies for clean technology in order to make that transition [to clean technology] faster,” Daron Acemoglu says.

Power play

Study shows how more R&D funding can accelerate the world energy revolution.

March 15, 2016

(Left to right): Daryl Morey SM '00, general manager of the Houston Rockets, speaks with statistician Nate Silver.

The games within the games

The world’s biggest sports analytics conference shows how theorists have changed sports.

March 15, 2016

This image depicts the process of metastasis in a mouse tumor, where tumor cells (green) have helped to reorganize the collagen into aligned fibers (blue) that provide the structural support for motility. This helps the tumor cells to enter blood vessels (red), ultimately leading to the formation of metastases in other organs.

Paving the way for metastasis

Cancer cells remodel their environment to make it easier to reach nearby blood vessels.

March 15, 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

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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3 Questions: The origin of the cosmos’ heaviest elements

Physicists prove energy input predicts molecular behavior

New way to control particle motions on 2-D materials

Secure, user-controlled data

Joining efforts to build a more sustainable future

A new glimpse into working memory

When slower is faster

Faculty highlight: Joseph Checkelsky

“Lost” memories can be found

Why some tumors withstand treatment

Transforming the U.S. transportation system by 2050 to address climate challenges

Power play

The games within the games

Paving the way for metastasis

MIT develops nontoxic way of generating portable power

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Departments

Centers, Labs, & Programs

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