Materials science and engineering

Graduate student Linda Zhong works in Professor Anthony Sinskey’s biology lab on an answer for plastic pollution.

Unlocking the secrets of a plastic-eater

Graduate student Linda Zhong and professor of biology Anthony Sinskey are studying the plastic-devouring enzyme PETase as a way to improve recycling.

June 8, 2020

A close-up view of a new neuromorphic “brain-on-a-chip” that includes tens of thousands of memristors, or memory transistors.

Engineers put tens of thousands of artificial brain synapses on a single chip

The design could advance the development of small, portable AI devices.

June 8, 2020

MIT researchers demonstrated a method to manufacture carbon nanotube transistors in commercial facilities that fabricate silicon-based transistors. This photograph shows Anthony Ratkovich, left, and Mindy D. Bishop, who is holding an example of a silicon wafer.

Carbon nanotube transistors make the leap from lab to factory floor

Technique paves the way for more energy efficient, 3D microprocessors.

June 1, 2020

“When I was looking for a university," says MIT senior Talia Khan, "I wanted one with access to top-quality music teachers and top-quality science. Here, we have the same quality of music education as conservatories, and you also have the rest of the MIT education.”

Meet the MIT bilinguals: Dual materials science and music major Talia Khan

Fulbright Fellowship recipient encourages more musicologists and scientists to do interdisciplinary work with one another.

May 26, 2020

2020 MIT Fulbright scholars include Sandra Walter, Srimayi Tenali, William Pinney, Talia Khan, Anshula Gandhi, Booker Schelhaas, Christien Williams, Ivy Li, Kedi Hu, and Max Kessler.

Eleven from MIT awarded 2020 Fulbright Fellowships

Graduating seniors and recent alumni will spend upcoming year abroad on Fulbright grants.

May 22, 2020

Oxygen evolution reactions are important in a variety of industrial processes. A new study provides a detailed analysis of the process at a molecular level. As illustrated here, the researchers analyzed how molecules of water (H2O, left) are catalyzed by specific locations on a surface of ruthenium dioxide (center) to form molecules of oxygen (O2, right).

Study unveils details of how a widely used catalyst splits water

“Gold standard” material for generating oxygen from water divulges its molecular mechanisms.

May 21, 2020

The researchers ran hundreds of atom-by-atom simulations of the propagation of cracks through different kinds of layered material, to see which ones were most effective at stopping the cracks from making it all the way through the material. Shown here are a variety of simulation runs showing different outcomes.

Machine-learning tool could help develop tougher materials

Engineers develop a rapid screening system to test fracture resistance in billions of potential materials.

May 20, 2020

White blood cells are among the first to mount an attack against sepsis, a deadly complication of Covid-19. In a project led by MIT Professor Daniela Rus, researchers are developing a machine learning system to detect an activated immune response to sepsis which could lead to earlier, more aggressive treatment. Here, a white blood cell attacks malaria.

Marshaling artificial intelligence in the fight against Covid-19

The MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab is funding 10 research projects aimed at addressing the health and economic consequences of the pandemic.

May 19, 2020

MIT Senior Research Scientist Jagadeesh Moodera and his group use a molecular beam epitaxy system to precisely control the fabrication of ultrathin quantum material combination layer structures. Studying the interfaces between such materials could lead to novel interface phenomena and new energy-efficient quantum devices.

Exploring new paths to future quantum electronics

Jagadeesh Moodera and colleagues to investigate interface-driven phenomena in quantum materials in the quest for energy-efficient quantum electronics.

May 11, 2020

In this photograph of fabric, you can see the green light of functional fibers. “No human-made objects are more ubiquitous or exposed to more vital data than the clothes we all wear,” says doctoral student Gabriel Locke. “Wouldn’t it be great if we could somehow teach our fabrics to sense, store, analyze, extract and communicate this potentially useful information?”

3 Questions: The rapidly unfolding future of smart fabrics

Soon, your clothes may be able to monitor your vital signs, analyze the results, and warn you of health risks.

May 8, 2020

In this illustration, two sheets of graphene are stacked together at a slightly offset “magic” angle, which can become either an insulator or superconductor. “We placed one sheet of graphene on top of another, similar to placing plastic wrap on top of plastic wrap,” MIT professor Pablo Jarillo-Herrero says. “You would expect there would be wrinkles, and regions where the two sheets would...

Researchers map tiny twists in “magic-angle” graphene

Results could help designers engineer high-temperature superconductors and quantum computing devices.

May 7, 2020

Dirty carbon reveals a sophisticated side

Coal could someday be used to make a variety of useful devices, researchers suggest.

April 27, 2020

While superior battery technology is still in our future, MIT Vice President for Research Maria Zuber is already encouraged by the increased use of renewable energy.

Maria Zuber on climate change: “Breakthroughs will happen”

MIT’s vice president for research identifies three areas that show particular promise for climate action.

April 22, 2020

Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito tours a lab at Bridgewater State University.

Professional societies fund future photonics technicians

IEEE, SPIE, and OSA will support students within a new program launched in collaboration with MIT’s Initiative for Knowledge and Innovation in Manufacturing.

April 21, 2020

The MIT Press and Candlewick Press to collaborate on new imprints for children, teens

First-ever collaboration between a university press and a children’s publisher will offer young readers fascinating insights into STEAM topics.

April 17, 2020

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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