Materials Science and Engineering

New experiments, new insights into stress corrosion crackingMIT researchers now have new insights into how 'stress corrosion cracking' may be affected by nanoscale disruptions in the crystalline structure of metallic materials.

Inspiration from a porcupine’s quillsUnderstanding the mechanisms behind quill penetration and extraction could help engineers design better medical devices.

Building a better worldFrom fuel cells to bamboo, and from Tanzania to Brazil, MIT senior Arfa Aijazi crosses borders and disciplines to make an impact.

Varanasi selected as outstanding young manufacturing engineer by SMEMIT professor of mechanical engineering is one of just seven recipients of the award this year.

The music of the silksResearchers synthesize a new kind of silk fiber — and find that music can help fine-tune the material’s properties.

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.

The mysteries in materialsMIT senior Shannon Taylor researches 500-year-old artifacts and art to understand and restore materials.

New material shares many of graphene’s unusual propertiesThin films of bismuth-antimony have potential for new semiconductor chips, thermoelectric devices.

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

Clarice Aiello: Finding quantum gold in diamond’s defect