Materials science and engineering

The visual and thermal properties of polyethylene can be tweaked to produce colorful films with a wide range of heat-radiating capabilities.

Researchers tune material’s color and thermal properties separately

Polymers could be designed to reflect or trap heat, regardless of hue.

April 2, 2019

Molecular diagram shows the structure of molybdenum sulfide, one of the materials used to create the new kind of cathode for lithium-sulfur batteries.

New approach could boost energy capacity of lithium batteries

“Hybrid” cathodes could provide more power for a given weight and volume.

March 25, 2019

“One.MIT,” a new art installation at MIT.nano, displays a 6-inch silicon wafer depicting an image of MIT’s Great Dome. The image was formed by etching the names of the more than 270,000 people associated with the Institute from 1861 to spring 2018.

“One.MIT” creates a monument — at the smallest scale

MIT.nano etches more than 270,000 names from the MIT community on a 6-inch wafer.

March 18, 2019

Researchers find evidence that heat moves through graphite similar to the way sound moves through air.

Exotic “second sound” phenomenon observed in pencil lead

At relatively balmy temperatures, heat behaves like sound when moving through graphite, study reports.

March 14, 2019

MIT graduate engineering, business programs earn top rankings from U.S. News for 2020

Graduate engineering program is No. 1 in the nation; MIT Sloan is No. 3.

March 12, 2019

Each January, the Microsystems Annual Research Conference (MARC) brings together MIT faculty and students with industry partners to highlight cutting-edge research in research in microsystems, nanotechnology, and more. MARC is led and organized by a student committee (pictured here), with support from the staff of the Microsystems Technology Laboratories.

MARC 2019 shines a light on research in microsystems, nanotechnology, and more

Annual student-led conference connects MIT researchers and industry partners.

March 8, 2019

MIT researchers have devised a way to simultaneously image in multiple wavelengths of near-infrared light, allowing them to determine the depth of particles emitting different wavelengths.

New optical imaging system could be deployed to find tiny tumors

Near-infrared technology pinpoints fluorescent probes deep within living tissue; may be used to detect cancer earlier.

March 7, 2019

The image on the right shows a graphene sheet coated with wax during the substrate-transfer step. This method drastically reduced wrinkles on the graphene’s surface compared to a traditional polymer coating (left).

Smoothing out the wrinkles in graphene

Coating graphene with wax makes for a less contaminated surface during device manufacturing.

March 6, 2019

MIT researchers have developed a technique to grow 2-D materials directly onto patterned substrates (shown here) and then recycle the patterns for faster, simpler chip manufacturing.

Technique streamlines fabrication of 2-D circuits

Growing material directly onto substrates and recycling chip patterns should enable faster, simpler manufacturing.

March 4, 2019

The experimental setup used to study the behavior of spider dragline silk. The cylindrical chamber at center allowed for precise control of humidity while testing the contraction and twisting of the fiber.

Spider silk could be used as robotic muscle

Unusual property of the ultrastrong material could be harnessed for twisting or pulling motions.

March 1, 2019

Photo of MIT Building 10 lit up at night

QS World University Rankings rates MIT No. 1 in 11 subjects for 2019

Institute ranks within the top 2 in 17 of 48 subject areas.

February 26, 2019

Angela Belcher, the James Mason Crafts Professor of Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, has been named the new head of the Department of Biological Engineering, effective July 1, 2019.

Angela Belcher named head of the Department of Biological Engineering

Biomedical engineering and energy expert to succeed Doug Lauffenburger; with her appointment, half of MIT engineering departments will be headed by women.

February 25, 2019

Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope image (STEM) of single perovskite quantum dots. New study shows that single perovskite quantum dots could be a fundamental building block for quantum-photonic technologies for computing or communications.

Quantum dots can spit out clone-like photons

System that generates coherent single particles of light could help pave the way for quantum information processors or communications.

February 21, 2019

A deceptively tough film protects the lobster’s belly as the animal scuttles across the rocky seafloor.

Lobster’s underbelly is as tough as industrial rubber

Membrane material’s properties could guide design of flexible body armor, new study suggests.

February 18, 2019

MIT Professor Lionel Kimerling, speaking at Stonehill College, leads the AIM Academy program for AIM Photonics.

Training technicians in developing technologies

MIT leads AIM Photonics Academy’s development of a technician-training apprenticeship program.

February 15, 2019

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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