A one-way street for spinning atoms
Work correlating ultracold atoms’ spin with their direction of motion may help physicists model new circuit devices and unusual phases of matter.
Researchers engineer light-activated skeletal muscle
Technique may enable robotic animals that move with the strength and flexibility of their living counterparts.
Connoisseur of chaos
Where other roboticists try to suppress the complex dynamics of mechanical systems, Russ Tedrake exploits them, to make control more efficient and versatile.
Turning on key enzyme blocks tumor formation
Drug-like molecule restores normal cell metabolism, preventing cancer cells from growing.
Making crowdsourcing easier
A new system for crowdsourcing database operations spares the user from worrying about the computational details but improves cost effectiveness.
Engineers achieve longstanding goal of stable nanocrystalline metals
Method developed by MIT researchers could produce materials with exceptional strength and other properties.
Teaching a microbe to make fuel
Genetically modified organism could turn carbon dioxide or waste products into a gasoline-compatible transportation fuel.
Stroke disrupts how brain controls muscle synergies
Distinctive patterns could allow doctors to develop better rehab programs for stroke patients.
Patterning defect-free nanocrystal films with nanometer resolution
New process developed at MIT could enable better LED displays, solar cells and biosensors — and foster basic physics research.
Success of engineered tissue depends on where it’s grown
Cells grown on different types of scaffolds vary in their ability to help repair damaged blood vessels.
The wisdom of crowds
A recent paper out of Manolis Kellis' group shows the wisdom of crowds when it comes to selecting methods for analyzing gene regulatory networks.
Soft autonomous robot inches along like an earthworm
Flexible design enables body-morphing capability.
New router enhances the precision of woodworking
Handheld device precisely follows a digital plan with minimal guidance from a user.
Protein that boosts longevity may protect against diabetes
Sirtuins help fight off disorders linked to obesity, new MIT study shows.