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Solving a semiconductor riddleNew observations of material disprove leading theory about LED brightness, opening new avenues for research.

Balance is key to making quantum-dot solar cells workMIT team finds that the ratio of component atoms is vital to performance.

The strangely familiar browsing habits of 14th-century readersMIT professor’s book digs into the eclectic, textually linked reading choices of people in medieval London.

Footwear’s (carbon) footprintStudy finds the bulk of shoes’ carbon footprint comes from manufacturing processes.

Striking a balance on taxesResearch by PhD student Stefanie Stantcheva touches on taxation, student loans and education incentives.

Reducing caloric intake delays nerve cell lossStudy points to role of protein in anti-aging benefits of calorie restriction

Evaluating a new way to open clogged arteriesComputational model offers insight into mechanisms of drug-coated balloons.

Making quantum encryption practicalAn MIT team that proposed a new, more-practical scheme for using quantum physics to secure data transmission has now demonstrated it experimentally.

Planes, trains and automobiles: faster, stronger, lighterNew technique advances carbon-fiber composites.

Complex brain function depends on flexibilityNeurons that can multitask greatly enhance the brain’s computational power, study finds.

Using literature to understand violence against blacksMIT professor Sandy Alexandre studies the literary record to shed light on the history of lynching in the United States.

A caring mindRed blood cells, dengue fever and greenhouses have been on MIT senior Paula Trepman’s mind as she tackles problems in global health care.

3dim wins MIT $100K Entrepreneurship CompetitionAnnual business-plan contest awards $257,000 in total.

Stacking 2-D materials produces surprising resultsNew experiments reveal previously unseen effects, could lead to new kinds of electronics and optical devices.

Stephen Lippard wins faculty’s Killian AwardChemist recognized for groundbreaking studies of inorganic molecules.

Nanotechnology could help fight diabetesInjectable nanogel can monitor blood-sugar levels and secrete insulin when needed.

Students with toys: Not just playing aroundIn mechanical engineering department’s toy-design class, teams design creative board games, plush toys and puzzles.

Cells as living calculatorsUsing analog computation circuits, MIT engineers design cells that can compute logarithms, divide and take square roots.

Making frequency-hopping radios practicalNew hardware could lead to wireless devices that identify and exploit unused transmission frequencies, using radio spectrum much more efficiently.