Materials science

How to choose a catalystMIT researchers provide a simple principle to predict which materials will perform best in fuel cells and metal air batteries.

‘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.

New battery design could give electric vehicles a joltSignificant advance in battery architecture could be breakthrough for electric vehicles and grid storage.

MIT’s Ronald Ballinger investigates Boston area water-main break

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

Teaching algae to make fuelNew process could lead to production of hydrogen using bioengineered microorganisms.

Spinning new materials in a threadNew technique could enable creation of a variety of fiber-based electronic and photonic devices.

When is it worth remanufacturing?MIT study shows sometimes it saves energy, sometimes it doesn’t — and sometimes it makes things worse.

New method found for controlling conductivityReversible control of electrical and thermal properties could find uses in storage systems.

Out of thick airMIT graduate student is working to make water available for the world’s poor by refining the tools and techniques of fog harvesting.

A new spin on superconductivity?Scientists produce a crystal that could help unlock the mystery of high-temperature superconductors.

New report details status of women in science and engineering at MITFollow-up to previous reports shows improvement, but that still more can be done.

Oscillating gels could find many usesMIT researchers analyze behavior of materials that change by themselves; could lead to practical applications.

Four professors named MacVicar fellowsSanyal, Schuh, Verghese and Winston honored for undergraduate teaching excellence

Nano-sized vaccinesNew MIT nanoparticles could lead to powerful vaccines for HIV and other diseases.

Research update: Continuous medical monitoringTiny 'microworms' could be implanted under the skin to give readout of blood sugar levels or other biomedical information.

Detecting whether a heart attack has occurredNew implantable sensor finds telltale signs; technology could also be adapted to monitor cancer and other diseases.

Three MIT engineers named to the National Academy of EngineeringSeveral alumni also elected among 68 new members announced today

New way to grow microwiresResearchers find simple, inexpensive method to produce silicon wires for sensors, batteries and solar cells.

Anne Mayes, former materials science professor, dies at 46'Fiercely dedicated to MIT students,' she established fellowship prior to leaving the Institute.

Hidden in plain sightA new approach to invisibility cloaking gets much closer to the science-fiction version, using simple and inexpensive materials.

Electrifying transportation: Devil is in the detailsMIT symposium finds electric vehicle technology capabilities are way ahead of policy and infrastructure needs.

Research update: How to tame hammering dropletsMIT research uncovers new process relating to the way drops of water spread after striking a surface.

How liquids behaveResearchers identify a fundamental property of how water and other liquids move at different temperatures.

Selection by size and substanceTechnique could produce filters that select molecules according to their chemical properties and dimensions.

Graphene electrodes for organic solar cellsResearchers identify technique that could make a new kind of solar photovoltaic panel practical.

A new approach to bladder-disease treatmentImplanted device can release slow, steady dose of medicine over extended period, removing the need for repeated procedures.

Frost-free planes: back to the drawing boardResearch from MIT and GE demonstrates that a proposed passive solution for preventing ice on wings won’t work — but suggests an alternative.

A decade of OCW benefits: Resources for real world solutionsMegan Brewster used OCW to design a small-scale plastics recycling program in Guatemala.

Understanding shape-shifting polymersMIT analysis should enable easier design for biomedical uses of plastic materials that have a shape memory.