Energy

Robert C. Armstrong named director of MIT Energy InitiativeOutgoing director Ernest Moniz confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Energy.

Secret of efficient photosynthesis is decodedMIT researchers find that the key to purple bacteria’s light-harvesting prowess lies in highly symmetrical molecules.

One order of steel; hold the greenhouse gasesSteelmaking, a major emitter of climate-altering gases, could be transformed by a new process developed at MIT.

Funding clean-energy solutionsMIT’s Clean Energy Prize awards more than $300,000 to support green startups and technologies.

Cleaner energy, warmer climate?MIT researchers explore the possible consequences of expanding biofuels.

MIT signs Compact for Sustainable Future with City of Cambridge and HarvardAkamai to join universities and city in new agreement; others encouraged to follow suit.

The case for optimism about a renewable energy futureResearcher Eric Martinot presents findings of two-year project at campus event

NSE-led teams sweep energy innovation contestFuture Energy @ MIT pitch competition focuses on finding solutions to the world’s energy challenges

Unleashing oxygen‘Superlattice’ structure could give a huge boost to oxygen reaction in fuel cells, increasing their power potential.

Understanding the turbulence in plasmasNew experiments in a tokamak fusion reactor reveal details of a cooling process, potentially bringing practical fusion closer.

MIT students win twice in White House competitionContest focused on energy efficiency in buildings

At MIT, Gov. Deval Patrick highlights clean-energy achievementsEarth Day talk details Massachusetts’ accomplishments since the governor’s MIT speech five years ago, and outlines new goals.

Wind power — even without the windInnovative storage system could enable offshore wind farms to deliver power whenever it’s needed.

Special deal on photon-to-electron conversion: Two for one!New technique developed at MIT could enable a major boost in solar-cell efficiency.

Power to the peopleFrom afar, MIT grad student Chidube Ezeozue devotes energy to his fellow Nigerians.

Applying physics, teamwork to fusion energy scienceZach Hartwig combines disciplines to help advance nuclear fusion as a practical energy source.

New solar-cell design based on dots and wiresMIT researchers improve efficiency of quantum-dot photovoltaic system by adding a forest of nanowires.

NSE students in the national spotlightThree from Course 22 named to Forbes '30 under 30' list

Advice for nations pursuing nuclear powerLady Barbara Judge delivers 12th Rose Lecture

Bringing energy innovations from lab to marketAnnual MIT Energy Conference focuses on how innovations can have a real impact on the world’s energy issues.

MIT researchers develop solar-to-fuel roadmap for crystalline siliconNew analysis points the way to optimizing efficiency of an integrated system for harvesting sunlight to make storable fuel.

MIT’s Ernest J. Moniz nominated Secretary of EnergyPresident Obama’s pick is head of the MIT Energy Initiative and a former undersecretary of energy.

Important lessons learned outside the classroomMIT senior Jean Sack describes her experience with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

Sterilizing with the sunSolar concentrating system could replace fuel-powered or electric devices in remote villages.

MIT and Eni renew energy partnershipVisiting campus, Paolo Scaroni, head of the Italian energy company, said ‘cooperation between MIT and Eni can give us phenomenal results.’

A cooler way to protect silicon surfacesNew room-temperature process could lead to less expensive solar cells and other electronic devices.

Reducing wasted energy in commercial buildingsMuch energy is wasted heating and cooling indoor spaces when no one or almost no one is present. Now, MIT researchers have used their own campus to demonstrate a means of measuring that energy/occupancy mismatch.