Energy

Funneling the sun’s energyMIT engineers propose a new way of harnessing photons for electricity, with the potential for capturing a wider spectrum of solar energy.

Making ‘nanospinning’ practicalNanofibers have a dizzying range of possible applications, but they’ve been prohibitively expensive to make. MIT researchers hope to change that.

Chiang honored for achievements in energy and environmentWins Innovation Award from The Economist

Michael Short spans classroom, forge, reactor

BP renews commitment to MIT with second $25 million pledgeCompany to provide $5 million a year to support continued energy-related research activities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Programs for green citiesFinding out what works

A better way to shed waterMIT researchers find that lubricated, nanotextured surfaces improved performance of condensers in power and desalination plants.

Department snapshot: Mechanical EngineeringMore MechE students choose to design their own education.

Reaching underground resourcesVaporize the rock — no drilling required

At MIT, Dalai Lama calls for better stewardship of Earth’s resourcesTibetan Buddhist leader urges a more enlightened view of self-interest in remarks at MIT conference.

In profile: Seeing the lightArchitect Christoph Reinhart studies how buildings — and whole communities — can use daylight to become more energy-efficient.

A novel ultracapacitorEnergy when and where you need it.

Presidential campaigns offer energetic energy debate at MITRepresentatives of Obama, Romney camps lay out differences in crucial policy domains of energy and the environment.

New technique reveals lithium in actionFundamental reactions behind advanced battery technology, revealed in detail by advanced imaging method, could lead to improved materials.

New interactive map assesses solar power potential of CambridgePublic launch for project taking place Oct. 3

Women’s impact in clean energy is growing worldwideMIT symposium highlights women’s increasing leadership in energy research, industry and government.

Understanding and predicting materials behaviorDepartment of Nuclear Science and Engineering takes an interdisciplinary approach

Inauguration festivities off to a stimulating startInnovation symposium touches on a dizzying array of topics, with themes of interdisciplinary collaboration, energy and innovation for the developing world.

R. Scott Kemp brings new perspectives on nuclear technology and society

Converting plant waste into biofuelsPromising advances using yeast and fungi.

Teaching a microbe to make fuelGenetically modified organism could turn carbon dioxide or waste products into a gasoline-compatible transportation fuel.

Patterning defect-free nanocrystal films with nanometer resolutionNew process developed at MIT could enable better LED displays, solar cells and biosensors — and foster basic physics research.

Bringing power to the people — and heat as wellSun-powered system developed by MIT students could provide electricity, heat and cooling to rural schools and clinics.

Yildiz wins 2012 Charles W. Tobias Young Investigator Award

New chip captures power from multiple sourcesSystem developed at MIT could combine power harvested from light, heat and vibrations to run monitoring systems.

Researchers explain how dye-based nanotubes can help harvest light’s energyTiny cylinders help reveal how natural-light-harvesting antennae collect light with exceptional efficiency.

Matthew Orosz awarded Echoing Green Fellowship to further off-grid energy workNewly minted MIT PhD selected for two-year social entrepreneurship fellowship.

Daniel Casey: Exploring a ‘little star’ on Earth