Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E)

2011–2012 Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams selected from national pool of applicantsHigh school teams awarded $10,000 grants to bring inspirational invention ideas to life.

Bristly particles could be boon for powerplantsMulti-scale material may have applications in heat transfer, potentially helping powerplants be more efficient.

When ‘consumer-innovators’ outspend firms on R&D

Everybody’s a winnerAutomatic window-shading invention tops a strong field of entries in materials competition.

Classes and academic research help launch companiesA variety of course offerings are devoted to spurring new ventures.

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

Outside the classroom, students create future businessesMembers of MIT’s ‘entrepreneurial ecosystem’ say it abounds in resources to help the would-be business founder.

Language of the artsMIT Concert Office unveils fall programming

Columbus Leonard makes another big saveMIT water polo goalkeeper recalls an eye-opening experience on a trip to Nicaragua last spring.

Said and Done for September 2011The humanities, arts and social sciences monthly digest

Printing off the paperMIT research continues to push the boundaries of the burgeoning technology of 3-D printing.

Fresh faces on campusMeet some of MIT’s talented, diverse Class of 2015.

In the World: Design summit’s inventions find willing buyersDevices to improve lives in developing countries are so appealing that even the initial prototypes attract buyers.

Said and DoneHumanities, arts and social sciences digest for July/August 2011.

In Profile: Kenneth OyeA political scientist aims to help governments assess the potential risks of new technologies.

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.

A new way to build nanostructuresCombining top-down and bottom-up approaches, new low-cost method could be a boon to research with a variety of applications.

Said and DoneHumanities, arts and social sciences digest for June 2011

‘Radar for the human eye’Inexpensive hand-held device developed at MIT could detect cataracts even at the earliest stages.

‘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.

Making materials to orderNew method of forming composites allows fine-tuning of mechanical, electrical, thermal and other properties.

Tracking the flow of knowledgeStudy shows scientists’ location influences how widely their work is read and used for innovations.

Waste-conversion startup Sanergy bowls over competitionWild-card entry takes top prize in $100K Business Plan Competition

Institute teams dominate Clean Energy PrizeInstitute ideas win $200K top prize and all five finalist prizes, with variety of energy solutions.

In the World: Cultivating creativityFor some of the world’s poorest people, the biggest impact can come from fostering creative problem-solving.