Seeing the music in nature
From spider webs to tangled proteins, Markus Buehler finds the connections between mathematics, molecules and materials.
Self-sculpting sand
New algorithms could enable heaps of ‘smart sand’ that can assume any shape, allowing spontaneous formation of new tools or duplication of broken mechanical parts.
Moving microfluidics from the lab bench to the factory floor
The Center for Polymer Microfabrication designs manufacturing processes for a new generation of diagnostic tools.
Predicting how proteins will partner
Amy Keating models critical interactions that underlie most cellular functions.
Buckle in
Inspired by a toy, the ‘buckliball’ — a collapsible structure fabricated from a single piece of material — represents a new class of 3-D, origami-like structures.
MIT graduate students head to Capitol Hill to deliver research-funding petition
More than 10,000 signed petition in support of science and engineering work.
Faster way to probe proteins
Infrared spectroscopy allows scientists to analyze protein structure on an ultrafast timescale.
Researchers show that memories reside in specific brain cells
Simply activating a tiny number of neurons can conjure an entire memory.
Calculating the cost of advanced manufacturing
The Environmentally Benign Manufacturing group studies the life cycle of new technologies.
A camera that peers around corners
A new imaging system could use opaque walls, doors or floors as 'mirrors' to gather information about scenes outside its line of sight.
Sen. Kerry tours Alcator C-Mod tokamak
Project is at risk of being terminated due to proposed federal budget cuts.
MIT-Germany Seed Fund winners announced
Funds support collaborations between faculty and research scientists at MIT and in Germany.
Big innovations for uncertain times
Seventh annual MIT Energy Conference features bold new technologies in the face of an uncertain economy.