Chemistry and chemical engineering

A glow of recognitionNew detectors developed at MIT could provide easy visual identification of toxins or pathogens.

Professor emeritus Adel Sarofim SM ’57, ScD ’62 dies at 77

Harold Somers Mickley, alumnus and former chair of the MIT faculty, dies at 93

Allen Lin ’11, MEng ’11 named Marshall ScholarRecent alum will hone interests in policy, synthetic biology through study in the United Kingdom.

How cancer cells get by on a starvation dietNew study shows that tumor cells, deprived of glucose, alter their metabolism to use other sources of sustenance.

Living cells say: Can you hear me now?Researchers find that cells’ chemical signaling includes a way to tell whether signals are being received or not.

Gobind Khorana, MIT professor emeritus, dies at 89Nobel-winning biochemist made seminal contributions to genetics, was a loyal teacher and mentor.

Making a Nobel-winning chemistry reaction even betterNew catalyst offers greater control over the synthesis of organic cyclic compounds, including potential cancer drugs.

Highly efficient oxygen catalyst foundNew catalyst, made of inexpensive and abundant materials, could prove useful in rechargeable batteries and hydrogen-fuel production.

Shining brightlyVast amounts of solar energy radiate to the Earth constantly, but tapping that energy cost-effectively remains a challenge.

DOW-MIT Access Program shows reality and rewards of graduate schoolWeekend of activities introduces undergrads to opportunities in chemical engineering, chemistry and materials science.

Monitoring how T cells respond to HIVNew technology could help AIDS researchers develop new vaccines.

Langer honored for achievements in biomedical engineering

‘Artificial leaf’ makes fuel from sunlightSolar cell bonded to recently developed catalyst can harness the sun, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.

A heart of goldNew cardiac patch uses gold nanowires to enhance electrical signaling between cells, a promising step toward better treatment for heart-attack patients.

American made?MIT forum examines the role of manufacturing in rebuilding the economy.

Ultrasensitive particles offer new way to find cancerTiny particles that measure microRNA levels in tissue samples could help diagnose and monitor many diseases.

Mimicking biological complexity, in a tiny particleNew MIT technology could lead to better drug delivery and artificial tissues that imitate natural tissue.

Research update: Improving batteries’ energy storageNew method allows a dramatic boost in capacity for a given weight.

New material could offer hope to those with no voiceMIT and Harvard researchers are developing a synthetic material to revitalize damaged vocal cords.

Research update: New way to store sun’s heatModified carbon nanotubes can store solar energy indefinitely, then be recharged by exposure to the sun.

While you’re up, print me a solar cellNew MIT-developed materials make it possible to produce photovoltaic cells on paper or fabric, nearly as simply as printing a document.

Layer upon layerMethod holds promise for making two- or three-tier graphene films that could be used for new electronic devices.

Robert Langer wins top chemistry awardInstitute Professor receives the ACS's Priestley Medal.

Scientists reveal HIV weaknessVaccines that target newly identified viral protein sequences could be more effective than previous efforts.

How to choose a catalystMIT researchers provide a simple principle to predict which materials will perform best in fuel cells and metal air batteries.

‘Artificial leaf’ moves closer to realityMIT researchers develop a device that combines a solar cell with a catalyst to split water molecules and generate energy.

Emeritus: A better way to see molecular structuresMIT chemist John Waugh made NMR spectroscopy an indispensable tool for studying proteins and other large molecules.