Energy

Better surfaces could help dissipate heatHeat transfer in everything from computer chips to powerplants could be improved through new analysis of surface textures.

New technique allows simulation of noncrystalline materialsMultidisciplinary team develops mathematical approach that could help in simulating materials for solar cells and LEDs.

All-carbon solar cell harnesses infrared lightNew type of photovoltaic device harnesses heat radiation that most solar cells ignore.

Double the benefits: clean energy also saves waterNREL-MIT study shows an 80 percent renewable energy standard cuts water use in half.

Textured surface may boost power output of thin silicon solar cellsMIT team finds new approach to trapping light efficiently in thin-film silicon solar cells.

Fusion program moves beyond plasma, toward practical powerplant issues

MIT community takes the Earth Day ChallengeTake Action! Earn Points! Win Prizes!

Frank Stanton Chair in Nuclear Security Policy Studies established in Department of Political ScienceEndowed chair established with a gift of $5 million from the Stanton Foundation

Report: China’s actions are crucial on climate changeResearch shows China’s impact on climate change, as well as its potential to shape the path forward.

Mujid Kazimi, of nuclear science and engineering, wins Kuwait PrizeHonored for contributions to nuclear power technology

Civil engineers find savings where the rubber meets the roadStudy shows that pavement deflection under vehicle tires makes for a continuous uphill drive that increases fuel consumption.

No crystal ball for natural gasTraditionally, oil prices have been used to gauge the natural gas market; but new research shows that the future of what is currently a cheap fuel is really anyone's guess.

MIT awarded more than $2 million in NEUP grants, fellowshipsIncludes $1.65 million in Department of Energy Nuclear Energy University Programs grants and $450,000 in graduate student fellowships.

Nuclear science and engineering graduate students win NEUP fellowshipsBlack, Boyd and Shaner among 31 recipients

CloudTop takes top $100K competition prizeA record 215 teams competed in this year’s business plan competition.

A new look at prolonged radiation exposureMIT study suggests that at low dose-rate, radiation poses little risk to DNA.

Karnik, Parra win DOE Early Career Research Program awards

Our gasoline-free future and how to get thereToyota’s Tom Stricker shares his view with the MIT community.

Taking an innovative approach to battery designDonald Sadoway’s radical rethinking of electricity storage could revitalize renewable-power technologies.

Research team wins Somiya Award for International Collaboration

New method to prevent undersea ice clogsSurface coatings developed by MIT researchers could inhibit buildup of methane hydrates that can block deep-sea oil and gas wells.

Hybrid copper-gold nanoparticles convert CO2May reduce greenhouse gas emissions

New nuclear science and engineering faculty drive curriculum expansion into computational science and engineering

Clean energy could lead to scarce materialsRising demand for wind turbines and electric vehicles could strain supplies of some rare earth metals.

The heat is onNew study of MIT buildings suggests additional approaches to energy efficiency.

A new dimension for solar energyInnovative 3-D designs from an MIT team can more than double the solar power generated from a given area.

Powering the Chinese dragonChina Light and Power’s Peter Littlewood talks with MIT researchers and students about the country’s strengths and the United States’s opportunity to embrace them.