Top MIT research stories of 2020
The year’s popular research stories include astronomical firsts, scientific breakthroughs, and engineering milestones addressing Covid-19 and other global problems.
Controlling drug activity with light
Miniaturized device activates drugs in a small region deep within the brain.
New type of atomic clock keeps time even more precisely
The design, which uses entangled atoms, could help scientists detect dark matter and study gravity’s effect on time.
Ultracold atoms reveal a new type of quantum magnetic behavior
The findings may help researchers design “spintronic” devices and novel magnetic materials.
“My whole heart is in that job”
As a tutor and teaching assistant, senior Jack-Willliam Barotta helps create a welcoming learning environment for students of all backgrounds.
Four astronauts with ties to MIT named to NASA’s Artemis team
Artemis program will focus on returning humans to the moon.
Evelyn Hu delivers 2020 Dresselhaus Lecture on leveraging defects at the nanoscale
Physicist and Harvard University professor discusses silicon vacancies, reflects on inspiration from Mildred Dresselhaus.
MIT oceanographers have an explanation for the Arctic’s puzzling ocean turbulence
New study suggests waters will become more turbulent as Arctic loses summertime ice.
To the brain, reading computer code is not the same as reading language
Neuroscientists find that interpreting code activates a general-purpose brain network, but not language-processing centers.
Building machines that better understand human goals
A new algorithm capable of inferring goals and plans could help machines better adapt to the imperfect nature of human planning.
“SCOUT” helps researchers find, quantify significant differences among organoids
Unbiased, high-throughput analysis pipeline improves utility of “minibrains” for understanding development and diseases such as Zika infection.
Model could help determine quarantine measures needed to reduce Covid-19’s spread
A key finding: Early reopening last spring led to a dramatic drop in “quarantine strength” in southern and west-central U.S. states.
MISTI shifts to fully remote global internships and cultural experiences amid pandemic
MIT students Robert Koirala and Grace Smith intern for a nonprofit promoting educational and health equity in India.
Case studies show climate variation linked to rise and fall of medieval nomadic empires
Recent virtual lecture explores how paleoclimatology provides important context for examining the activities of past human societies.