Mechanical engineering

‘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.

Doroski wins 2011 Dean A. Horn AwardGiven for undergraduate study in marine research

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

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

How to control complex networksNew algorithm offers ability to influence systems such as living cells or social networks.

A competition full of hacksAnnual 2.007 finale pits robots against MIT history.

Tess Saxton-Fox claims Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor

Solar power, with a side of hot running waterNew system for flat-panel solar power could be combined with hot water systems for greater performance.

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.

Energy Initiative announces new seed grant awardsMore than $2 million awarded to 14 projects

Two current students, three alumni win Soros fellowships

MechE's Kripa Varanasi chosen for Doherty ProfessorshipFunding to support research on nanoengineered surfaces for hydrate mitigation in subsea oil and gas operations

Seeing below the surfaceEngineers devise a new way to inspect advanced materials used to build airplanes

The big picture on energy lossMIT system, tested in Cambridge, gives comprehensive view of energy inefficiency across large areas.

Frank McClintock, professor emeritus, alumnus, dies at 90

In the World: Turning old oil into new mileageBrazilian waste pickers gain an inexpensive way to fuel their vehicles using leftover cooking oil.

Going head to headMechanical-engineering competition set the stage for a variety of competitive classes and events at MIT and elsewhere.

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.

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.

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.

Emeritus: John HeywoodHe literally wrote the book on the internal combustion engine — and says rumors of its death are greatly exaggerated.

Five from MIT elected fellows of the American Physical Society

Undergrads bring energy education to GhanaGhanaian high school students share alternative energy ideas with rural village.

Test kitchen, MIT-styleStudents in this year’s product-engineering class serve up food-related innovations.