School of Engineering

To help students gain a better grasp of biological concepts, MIT and Northwestern University researchers have designed new educational kits that can be used to perform experiments that produce glowing proteins, scents, or other easily observed phenomena, through the engineering of DNA.

Inexpensive biology kits offer hands-on experience with DNA

Using freeze-dried, shelf-stable cellular components, students can learn about key biological concepts.

August 1, 2018

MIT researchers have designed an optical filter on a chip that can process optical signals from across an extremely wide spectrum of light at once, something never before available to integrated optics systems that process data using light.

On-chip optical filter processes wide range of light wavelengths

Silicon-based system offers smaller, cheaper alternative to other “broadband” filters; could improve a variety of photonic devices.

August 1, 2018

Featured video: If the spacesuit fits

PhD student Richard Fineman is using wearable sensors to understand coordination and walking — and next-generation spacesuit design.

July 31, 2018

“This spot is just going to be the hottest spot for deadly heat waves in the future, especially under climate change,” says Professor Elfatih Eltahir.

China could face deadly heat waves due to climate change

One of the world’s most densely populated regions may push the boundaries of habitability by the end of this century, study finds.

July 31, 2018

Pierre Lermusiaux (left), professor of mechanical engineering and ocean science and engineering, will serve as MechE's associate department head for operations. Rohit Karnik (right), associate professor of mechanical engineering, will serve as MechE's associate department head for education.

Department of Mechanical Engineering announces new leadership team

Newly appointed department head Evelyn Wang names Pierre Lermusiaux and Rohit Karnik as associate department heads.

July 27, 2018

An MIT report finds that pre-crisis supply chain mapping and post-crisis visibility may enable better management of resources when hurricanes hit. Seen here is Hurricane Katrina from 2005.

How to improve critical hurricane-related supply chains

MIT Humanitarian Supply Chain Lab reports on supply chains in effect after hurricanes hit, and how they might be better managed.

July 26, 2018

MIT professor Silvio Micali, one of the leaders of the new FinTech@CSAIL initiative, speaks to industry leaders at the Stata Center.

CSAIL launches new initiative for financial technology

FinTech@CSAIL industry collaboration will work to improve business models, access to data, and security in the finance sector.

July 26, 2018

Cell-sized robots can sense their environment

Made of electronic circuits coupled to minute particles, the devices could flow through intestines or pipelines to detect problems.

July 23, 2018

A proof-of-concept MIT prototype of a sun-powered device extracts drinking water from the desert air in Tempe, Arizona.

Featured video: Pulling drinking water out of thin air

Powered only by solar energy, a new device developed at MIT could provide relief to regions where water is scare.

July 23, 2018

A new study from MIT computer scientists suggests that human doctors provide a dimension that, as yet, artificial intelligence does not.

Doctors rely on more than just data for medical decision making

Computer scientists find that physicians’ “gut feelings” influence how many tests they order for patients.

July 20, 2018

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics head Jaime Peraire calls Rebecca Masterson “an outstanding researcher with an impressive record of accomplishment in space systems engineering and design.”

Rebecca Masterson appointed AeroAstro principal research scientist

Mechanical engineer and instrument scientist on NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission is the first female principal research scientist in the department's history.

July 19, 2018