Energy

Dr. Andrew Cook: The Engineer as Executive

Power to the peopleEntrepreneurs at MIT’s Legatum Center are trying to bring clean-energy solutions to developing countries.

Holdren sees opportunities in energy challengesPresidential science adviser calls for increased energy R&D to create jobs and boost business; supports conclusions of MIT nuclear study.

Catching the sun’s heatStoring thermal energy in chemical form has the potential to make it indefinitely storable and transportable.

Study sees changing intensity of storms from warmingHemispheres will respond to climate change differently, with weaker summer storms in the North, study suggests.

MIT teams dominate national energy contestThree MIT-connected teams were among five finalists and won top two prizes in ConocoPhillips award program

3 Questions: Walt HenryFacilities engineer discusses how MIT is leading the way for universities to practice what they preach on energy efficiency.

In the World: Drinking water, from sunshineMIT team designs solar-powered portable desalination system to use in disaster zones and remote regions.

3 Questions: ARPA-E chief on the energy challengeDuring MIT visit, Arun Majumdar issues a wake-up call but says his agency alone cannot solve the energy problem.

Emilio Frazzoli on autonomous vehicles and urban mobilityPresented by Transportation@MIT

‘Express lanes’ for ionsBy aligning carbon nanotubes in electrodes, researchers boost performance.

Construction begins on high-performance computing centerPresident Hockfield joins Gov. Patrick and others at groundbreaking ceremony.

The clean-energy revolutionPanel presented by the MIT Enterprise Forum

Stately Killian Court serves as testing ground for new geotech toolCivil engineers develop new probe for determining soil characteristics.

Better prepared next timeLessons learned from the BP oil spill could help both companies and regulators to be more ready for the next emergency.

MIT-led team’s eco-aircraft receives Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Innovator AwardUnique plane offers significant reduction in emissions, noise and fuel use.

A link between air travel and deaths on the groundStudy suggests pollution from airplanes flying at ‘cruise’ altitudes contributes to 8,000 deaths per year globally.

International prize for solar cookerLow-cost portable device developed at MIT wins major prize in Netherlands competition.

The energy challenge calls on humanities and social-science researchCourses on energy include economics, political science, history, literature and more.

Frank talk on U.S. energy innovationMIT alumnus Steven E. Koonin, DoE under secretary for science, says economics, not technology, is the driver.

Said and DoneHumanities, arts, and social sciences digest for September 2010

Nuclear-fuel report challenges key assumptionsMIT study finds no shortage of uranium for nuclear energy for decades, but more research is needed to develop improved fuel-cycle options.

Silicon carbide cladding proves its mettle

Solar cell, heal thyselfNew self-assembling photovoltaic technology can keep repairing itself to avoid any loss in performance.

All charged upAbility to recharge rapidly could make electric cars more acceptable to consumers, says MIT student team

New design-build class weaves nature into rural Cambodian schoolStudents take part in “Design for a Sustainable Future”

Financial impacts of ‘cap and trade’Analysis shows that, contrary to some claims, proposed legislation to limit carbon emissions would not disadvantage those with lower incomes.

Silicon can be made to melt in reverseMaterial that shows melting while cooling might someday lead to applications in solar cells and other devices

Explained: BandgapUnderstanding how electrons get excited is crucial to creating solar cells and light-emitting diodes