Sustainability

Researchers at MIT have found that climate change may drastically increase the variability in Nile’s annual output.

Nile faces greater variability

Climate change could lead to overall increase in river flow, but more droughts and floods, study shows.

April 24, 2017

Clean power planning

A new study details why it’s prudent to invest in carbon-free electricity now.

April 20, 2017

Engineers at MIT have found a way to cut the cost of solar-powered drip systems by half, by optimizing the drippers. Furthermore, these new drippers can halve the pumping power required to irrigate, lowering energy bills for farmers. Pictured is an example of a current drip system.

Watering the world

New design cuts costs, energy needs for drip irrigation, bringing the systems within reach for more farmers.

April 19, 2017

A new surface coating developed by Kripa Varanasi and his team causes water to bead up on the inner surface of a pipe rather than spreading out. This prevents the formation of ices that could lead to a clog in an oil pipeline or well.

Researchers design coatings to prevent pipeline clogging

Solution developed at MIT could stop buildup of hydrate ices that slow or block oil and gas flow.

April 14, 2017

Zhu Zhenqi (left), president of ENN Energy Research Institute, and Robert Armstrong, director of the MIT Energy Initiative, sign the agreement for ENN's membership in MITEI's Center for Energy Storage Research.

ENN Group becomes MIT Energy Initiative member to advance energy storage technologies

ENN Group, one of China’s largest private energy companies, will join MITEI’s Center for Energy Storage Research.

April 13, 2017

A major study — “Mobility of the Future” — will explore how consumers and markets will respond to potentially disruptive technologies, business models, and government policies. The scope of the study is ground transportation, with an emphasis on the movement of people.

Study from MIT Energy Initiative will explore the future of transportation

“Mobility of the Future” study examines how developments in technology, fuel, infrastructure, policy, and consumer preference will drive transportation changes.

April 11, 2017

MIT Vice President for Research Maria Zuber takes part in a panel on post-Paris Agreement climate and energy strategies at CERAWeek 2017 in Houston, Texas.

Setting the pace for change in the energy sector

MIT energy and climate thought leaders play integral part in discussions at CERAWeek 2017.

March 24, 2017

MIT’s solar plant is delivering on its promises

North Carolina solar farm is up and running, significantly offsetting Institute’s carbon emissions.

March 23, 2017

3 Questions: Lourdes Melgar on Mexico’s energy reform

MIT alumna, Robert Wilhelm Fellow, and former Mexican government official discusses opportunities and challenges of recent reforms.

March 22, 2017

Bevi is a smart beverage-dispensing machine — made with high-quality components inspired by medical devices — that filters and adds carbonation and customizable flavors to tap water in offices, gyms, and hotels.

The next-generation water cooler

Smart flavored-beverage machines are persuading consumers nationwide to ditch their plastic bottles.

March 8, 2017

3Q: Maria Zuber, daughter of coal country

MIT’s vice president for research describes how growing up in eastern Pennsylvania shaped her views on climate policy.

February 27, 2017

Left to right: Ashley Morishige, Tonio Buonassisi, and Mallory Jensen of the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering have identified defects that may be causing a promising type of high-efficiency silicon solar cell to generate decreasing amounts of electricity in sunlight and have made recommendations to manufacturers that may help prevent the problem. Here, the researchers display a silicon bri...

Advanced silicon solar cells

MIT mechanical engineers are leading an effort to detect defects that reduce efficiency.

February 17, 2017

An MIT-led study finds that technological advances alone will not bring about dematerialization, or the reduction of the amount of materials needed to produce goods and services.

Study: Technological progress alone won’t stem resource use

Researchers find no evidence of an overall reduction in the world’s consumption of materials.

January 19, 2017

Since 2014, total campus emissions have dropped by 7 percent. Ninety-seven percent of the Institute’s emissions are associated with the operation of labs, offices, residences, and other building facilities across campus.

Campus greenhouse gas emissions down 7 percent since 2014

MIT releases results of its second campus-wide inventory.

January 11, 2017

C. Adam Schlosser, MIT research scientist and Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change deputy director

Modeling plausible futures

MIT research scientist C. Adam Schlosser assesses long-term risks to regional water and energy systems.

January 10, 2017

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