nanoscience and nanotechnology archive

MIT reports finer lines for microchips - MIT researchers have achieved a significant advance in nanoscale lithographic technology, used in the manufacture of computer chips and electronic devices, to make finer patterns of lines over larger areas than have been possible with other methods. July 8, 2008

Experts describe promise of nanotech for cancer - Speakers from MIT and other institutions described the promise of nanotechnology to help diagnose, treat and monitor cancer at the annual symposium hosted by the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT on Friday, June 27. June 30, 2008

Cancer symposium to focus on nanotechnology - Institute Professor Robert Langer and other top cancer researchers will speak at the 2008 symposium hosted by MIT's David H. Koch Center for Integrative Cancer Research on Friday, June 27, at Kresge Auditorium. June 24, 2008

Stripes key to nanoparticle drug delivery - In work that could at the same time impact the delivery of drugs and explain a biological mystery, MIT engineers have created the first synthetic nanoparticles that can penetrate a cell without poking a hole in its protective membrane and killing it. June 9, 2008

MIT team develops better X-ray nanomirrors - A new way of bending X-ray beams developed by MIT researchers could lead to greatly improved space telescopes, as well as new tools for biology and for the manufacture of semiconductor chips. June 9, 2008

MIT detector uses nanotubes to sense deadly gases - Using carbon nanotubes, MIT chemical engineers have built the most sensitive electronic detector yet for sensing deadly gases, a low-cost, low-energy portable device that could be carried in a pocket and used to monitor hazardous chemicals. June 5, 2008

MIT develops a 'paper towel' for oil spills - A mat of nanowires with the touch and feel of paper, that can absorb up to 20 times its weight in oil, could be an important new tool in the cleanup of oil and other organic pollutants, MIT researchers and colleagues report. May 30, 2008

Hope on the horizon: Biosolar Cells - Shuguang Zhang on biosolar cells. May 21, 2008

Hope on the horizon: Electrochemical Energy - Paula Hammond on electrochemical energy. May 21, 2008

Hope on the horizon: Life Extension - Mehmet Fatih Yanik on extension of the human lifespan. May 21, 2008

Researchers boost thermoelectric efficiency - Researchers at Boston College and MIT have used nanotechnology to achieve a major increase in thermoelectric efficiency, a milestone that paves the way for a new generation of products that run cleaner. March 20, 2008

MIT creates gecko-inspired bandage - MIT researchers and colleagues have created a waterproof adhesive bandage inspired by gecko lizards that may soon join sutures and staples as a basic operating room tool for patching up surgical wounds or internal injuries. February 18, 2008

Fantastic voyage: Drug delivery by a nanoparticle - An image portrays targeted nanoparticles delivering high doses of chemotherapy to cancer cells. A team including MIT Institute Professor Robert Langer has demonstrated the precision required to engineer a nanoparticle that is effective in targeted drug delivery. February 13, 2008

Suresh to receive 2008 Eringen Medal - The Society of Engineering Science has chosen Subra Suresh, Dean of the School of Engineering and Ford Professor of Engineering, to receive the A.C. Eringen Medal for 2008, in recognition of "sustained outstanding achievements in engineering science." February 11, 2008

Sculpted 3-D particles could aid diagnostics - MIT engineers have used ultraviolet light to sculpt 3-D microparticles that could be used in medical diagnostics and tissue engineering. The particles might be designed to act as probes to detect certain molecules or to release drugs or nutrients. December 4, 2007

Cancer study affirms interdisciplinary approach - A UCLA cancer study reported this month validates earlier work by MIT engineers, and is emblematic of an explosion in research at the intersections of engineering, the life sciences and medicine, according to MIT Dean of Engineering Subra Suresh. December 3, 2007

Nanoparticles deliver drugs directly into tumors - MIT scientists have devised remotely controlled nanoparticles that, when pulsed with an electromagnetic field, release drugs to attack tumors. The innovation could lead to the improved diagnosis and targeted treatment of cancer. November 20, 2007

Thermoelectric materials are key to energy savings - Breathing new life into an old idea, MIT Institute Professor Mildred S. Dresselhaus and co-workers are developing innovative materials for controlling temperatures that could lead to substantial energy savings. November 20, 2007

MIT works toward 'smart' optical microchips - A new theory developed at MIT could lead to "smart" optical microchips that adapt to different wavelengths of light, potentially advancing telecommunications, spectroscopy and remote sensing. November 1, 2007

A light beam for manipulation of cells on chips - In a feat that seems like something out of a microscopic version of Star Trek, MIT researchers have found a way to use a "tractor beam" of light to pick up, hold and move around individual cells and other objects on the surface of a microchip. October 31, 2007

Grant pits nanotechnology against prostate cancer - A $5 million grant from alumnus David H. Koch will help researchers from several institutions, including MIT, develop nanotechnology to treat metastatic prostate cancer, for which there is no effective treatment. October 17, 2007

Professors disagree with article - The Tech Talk article "Not so super-cool after all" did not accurately convey the conclusions reached by the lead researchers, Jacopo Buongiorno and Lin-Wen Hu. September 19, 2007

Polymers hold promise for safer gene delivery - In work that could lead to safe and effective techniques for gene therapy, MIT scientists have found a way to fine-tune the ability of biodegradable polymers to deliver genes, which could be a safer technique than using viruses to carry genes. September 7, 2007

Nanofluids not so super-cool after all - MIT engineers have shown that nanofluids, which once held promise as a super-coolant, do not have the theoretical cooling capabilities many scientists believed they had. August 29, 2007

Goodbye wires… - Imagine a future in which wireless power transfer is feasible: cell phones, mp3 players, laptops, and household robots could charge themselves, free from wires. An MIT team led by Professor Marin Soljacic is now one step closer to this vision. June 7, 2007

Nanotech gives thermoelectricity a new glow - Gang Chen's research with nano-scale materials gave him a head start in the field of nanotechnology when it was still brand new. Today, nano-materials are the foundation for a fast-growing approach to energy saving. May 9, 2007

New MIT technique weighs single living cells - For the first time, MIT researchers have found a way to measure the mass of single cells with high accuracy. The technique could allow researchers to develop inexpensive diagnostic devices and offer a unique glimpse into cell division. April 25, 2007

Model helps students visualize nanoscale problems - An educational experiment during IAP demonstrated that students can learn to apply sophisticated atomistic modeling techniques to traditional materials research in just a few classes, an advance that could dramatically change the way civil engineers learn to model the mechanical properties of materials. April 2, 2007

Model simulates atomic processes in nanomaterials - A research team that includes members from MIT has developed a modeling approach to study how materials behave under stress at the atomic level, which could help engineers design materials with an ideal balance between strength and resistance to failure. March 1, 2007

Flow of tiny bubbles mimics computer circuitry - In work that could dramatically boost the capabilities of "lab on a chip" devices, MIT researchers have created a way to use tiny bubbles to mimic the capabilities of a computer while also performing chemical reactions. February 8, 2007

MIT 'optics on a chip' may revolutionize electronics - In work that could lead to completely new devices, systems and applications in computing and telecommunications, MIT researchers are bringing the long-sought goal of "optics on a chip" one step closer to market. February 6, 2007

MIT improves protein sorting with a new microchip - A new MIT microchip system promises to speed up the separation and sorting of biomolecules such as proteins. The work could help scientists better detect certain molecules associated with diseases, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses. February 5, 2007

Team develops nanoparticles to battle cancer - On a quest to modernize cancer treatment and diagnosis, an MIT professor and her colleagues have created new nanoparticles that mimic blood platelets. Their goal? To send these to carry out different medical missions inside the body. February 1, 2007

Engineered concrete could cut harmful emissions - An MIT team reports that the source of concrete's strength and durability lies in the organization of its nanoparticles--similar to that of stacks of oranges. The discovery could lead to reductions in carbon dioxide emissions during manufacturing. January 30, 2007

Nanocomposites yield strong and stretchy fibers - Creating artificial substances that are both stretchy and strong has long been an elusive engineering goal. Inspired by spider silk, MIT researchers have now devised a way to produce a material that begins to mimic this combination of desirable properties. January 18, 2007

MIT creates 3D scaffold for growing stem cells - An MIT engineer and colleagues report that stem cells grew, multiplied and differentiated into brain cells on their new three-dimensional scaffold of tiny protein fragments designed to be more like a living body than any other cell culture system. December 27, 2006

MIT implant measures tumor growth, treatment - A tiny implant containing specially designed nanoparticles now being developed at MIT could one day help doctors rapidly monitor the growth of tumors and the progress of chemotherapy in cancer patients. December 4, 2006

Work may aid study of collagen ailments - An MIT researcher's mathematical model explains for the first time the distinctive structure of collagen, a material key to healthy human bone, muscles and other tissues. The new model shows collagen's structure from the atomic to the tissue scale. November 14, 2006

Scientific American names Belcher top researcher - Professor Angela Belcher has been named Research Leader of the Year by Scientific American. Three other MIT researchers are also among the magazine's annual list of the nation's top 50 technology leaders. November 6, 2006

Portable 'lab on a chip' could speed blood tests - Testing soldiers to see if they have been exposed to biological or chemical weapons could soon be much faster and easier, thanks to MIT researchers who are helping to develop a tiny diagnostic device that could be carried into battle. October 16, 2006

MIT technique reveals inner lives of red blood cells - For the first time, researchers at MIT can see every vibration of a cell membrane, using a technique that could one day allow scientists to create three-dimensional images of the inner workings of living cells. October 16, 2006

MIT material stops bleeding in seconds - MIT and Hong Kong University researchers have shown that some simple biodegradable liquids can stop bleeding in wounded rodents within seconds, a development that could significantly impact medicine. October 10, 2006

Method unveils ultrafast photochemical reactions - MIT researchers have made a fundamental advance in understanding how different environments affect chemical reactions by devising a novel way to observe ultrafast photochemical reactions--reactions induced by a pulse of laser light--in crystals. September 27, 2006

Nanoparticles to aid brain imaging, team reports - If you want to see precisely what the 100 billion neurons in a person's brain are doing, a good way to start is to track calcium as it flows into neurons when they fire. Using a nano-sized tracking agent, an MIT researcher has developed a way to do just that. September 27, 2006

Projects aim to lift safety, efficiency of nuclear power - With U.S. electricity demand projected to increase by nearly 50 percent over the next 25 years, the Bush administration and others see nuclear power as an increasingly attractive energy option. September 20, 2006

Materials scientists tame tricky carbon nanotubes - Based on a new theory, MIT scientists may be able to manipulate carbon nanotubes -- one of the strongest known materials and one of the trickiest to work with -- without destroying their extraordinary electrical properties. September 15, 2006

MIT's molecular sieve advances protein research - New MIT technology promises to speed up the separation of proteins from complex biological fluids. This action is becoming increasingly important for understanding diseases and developing new treatments September 11, 2006

Three at MIT conceive cell-shaped building - An innovative cell-shaped building will house a new biomedical research institute in Chengdu, China, thanks to an unusual crossdisciplinary collaboration between a world-renowned scientist at MIT and two former MIT students. July 28, 2006

Nanotechnology 'fertile' for energy breakthrough - Thinking small may help solve one of the world's biggest problems -- the need for alternative energy sources -- according to scientists attending the first Energy Nanotechnology International Conference held June 26-28 at MIT. June 30, 2006

New material puts its own spin on electronics - Researchers at MIT's Francis Bitter Magnet Lab have developed a novel magnetic semiconductor that may greatly increase the computing power and flexibility of future electronic devices while dramatically reducing their power consumption. May 24, 2006

MIT nanoparticles may help detect tumors - MIT engineers have devised a new technique that allows nanoparticles to group together inside cancerous tumors, creating masses with enough of a magnetic signal to be detectable by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. May 1, 2006

Cancer research funding called key - Funding young researchers remains an important focus for the National Cancer Institute, even though the federal group's budget has remained flat the past few years, the acting head of the NCI told MIT students and faculty on Friday, April 21. April 25, 2006

Nanoscience rising up to meet energy challenge - Tiny materials may bring about large-scale advances in a future hydrogen economy, Institute Professor Mildred S. Dresselhaus told audiences Wednesday, April 5, at MIT and at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. April 11, 2006

Nanoparticles armed to combat cancer - Ultra-small particles loaded with medicine -- and aimed with the precision of a rifle -- are offering a promising new way to strike at cancer, according to researchers working at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital. April 10, 2006

Researchers build tiny batteries with viruses - MIT scientists have harnessed the construction talents of tiny viruses to build ultra-small "nanowire" structures for use in very thin lithium-ion batteries. April 7, 2006

MIT device may speed up space communications - MIT researchers have developed a tiny light detector that may allow for super-fast broadband communications over interplanetary distances. Currently, even still images from other planets are difficult to retrieve. March 20, 2006

Brain researchers restore sight in rodents - Rodents blinded by a severed tract in their brains' visual system had their sight partially restored within weeks, thanks to a tiny biodegradable scaffold invented by MIT bioengineers and neuroscientists. March 13, 2006

Water purifier wins soldier design prize - Keeping soldiers healthy and safe was the theme of the day for competitors from MIT and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, who vied for the top prize in the third annual Soldier Design Competition. March 8, 2006

Researchers fired up over new battery - Work at MIT's Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems holds out the promise of the first technologically significant and economically viable alternative to conventional batteries in more than 200 years. February 8, 2006

Researchers test power of cellular engine - Researchers have known for some time that a coil grown by a single-cell protozoan is, gram for gram, more powerful than a car engine. Now, researchers led by a team at MIT and the Whitehead Institute have found that this coil is far stronger than previously thought. December 9, 2005

MIT sleuths discover quick way to new materials - MIT researchers have developed a way to test the mechanical properties of almost 600 different materials in a matter of days -- a task that would have taken weeks using conventional techniques. November 28, 2005

MIT cancer program granted $3.2 million - An MIT program designed to identify early signs of cancer using nanotechnologies has been named one of 12 national Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships through the National Cancer Institute. October 21, 2005

GEM4 shines in launch event - In a launch Oct. 12 worthy of its sparkling acronym, the Global Enterprise for Micro-Mechanics and Molecular Medicine, or GEM4, brought to MIT people from 12 time zones away, many university presidents, leaders of government, and Thai royalty. October 13, 2005

Initiative will address global medical challenges - A pioneering international collaboration among premier researchers and world-class institutions designed to bring the advances of engineering, science and nanotechnology to bear on major medical and public health issues launches Oct. 12 at MIT. October 12, 2005

MIT chosen for national role fighting cancer - The National Cancer Institute announced Monday it has chosen MIT and Harvard University to share one of seven national, multi-institutional hubs it is establishing to rapidly advance the application of nanotechnologies to cancer research. October 4, 2005

Nature gives a lesson in armor design - Understanding the fundamental design principles of natural armor systems like shells may help engineers design improved body armor systems for humans in perilous situations, like soldiers and police officers. September 20, 2005

MIT research could clear up foggy problem - Foggy windows and lenses are a nuisance, and in the case of automobile windows, can pose a driving hazard. Now, MIT scientists may have found a permanent solution to the problem. September 8, 2005

MIT engineers an anti-cancer smart bomb - Imagine a cancer drug that can burrow into a tumor, seal the exits and detonate a lethal dose of anti-cancer toxins, all while leaving healthy cells unscathed. MIT researchers have designed a nanoparticle to do just that. July 27, 2005

New technique may speed DNA analysis - Just as the printing press revolutionized the creation of reading matter, a "nano-printing" technique developed at MIT could enable the mass production of nano-devices currently built one at a time. May 18, 2005

Power scavenger wins soldier prize - Power, cooling and casualty evacuation were recurrent themes at the final judging of the second annual MIT Soldier Design Competition--a reflection of the harsh realities of soldiers' lives in combat. March 8, 2005

Belcher is a 'woman to watch' - Professor Angela Belcher is one of 10 New England innovators in fields from biotechnology to software to be honored in Mass High Tech's 2005 Women to Watch program. February 23, 2005

Tiny technology carries big promise - Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize materials, manufacturing, energy, security and healthcare. At a conference last night, MIT Professor Edwin L. Thomas discussed the promises and challenges of the field. January 21, 2005

Magnet Lab joins spintronics program - The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and MIT's Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory have launched a 10-year program in spintronics. November 23, 2004

Spinach may soon power mobile devices - For the first time, MIT researchers have incorporated a plant's ability to convert sunlight to energy into a solid-state electronic "spinach sandwich" device that may one day power laptops and cell phones. September 15, 2004

The things they carry - An MIT alumnus and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army who serves as liaison to MIT's Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies is conducting the first-ever battlefield analysis of the loads soldiers actually carry into combat. August 19, 2004

Biotech and nanotech deals - Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation announces at IdeaStream symposium a startup focused on drug delivery and biomaterials and the licensing of memory cell nanotechnology. April 14, 2004

Nanoruler could have wide impact - An MIT device that makes the world's most precise rulers -- with "ticks" only a few hundred billionths of a meter apart -- could impact many scientific fields. February 2, 2004

Nanoruler could have wide impact - An MIT device that makes the world's most precise rulers -- with "ticks" only a few hundred billionths of a meter apart -- could impact many scientific fields. January 28, 2004

HexFlex manipulates cables - HexFlex, developed by MIT inventors led by Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Martin Culpepper, has won a 2003 R&D 100 Award. October 1, 2003

MIT's HexFlex manipulates the nanoscopic - Using a fundamentally new design, an MIT team has invented the HexFlex Nanomanipulator that's not only inexpensive but performs better in many ways than its competitors. September 30, 2003

ISN projects include waterproof, antibacterial fabric - At the beginning of an Institute for Soldier Nanaotechnologies four-day annual review, MIT scientists gave highlights of ISN research in three key areas: protection, injury intervention and cure, and performance improvement. September 24, 2003

ISN projects include waterproof, antibacterial fabric - At the beginning of an Institute for Soldier Nanaotechnologies four-day annual review, MIT scientists gave highlights of ISN research in three key areas: protection, injury intervention and cure, and performance improvement. September 23, 2003

MIT, others receive $50M grant for Army research - Angela Belcher will head MIT efforts in the new Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, a partnership among MIT, UCSB and CalTech, to develop new materials and devices for the soldier of the 21st century. September 10, 2003

MIT, others receive $50M grant for Army research - Angela Belcher will head MIT efforts in the new Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, a partnership among MIT, UCSB and CalTech, to develop new materials and devices for the soldier of the 21st century. August 27, 2003

At ease - Dan Harshman, the Army's Objective Force Warrior, and Sgt. Raul Lopez model their gear at opening ceremonies for the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. June 4, 2003

World record for tiniest book - Professor Pawan Sinha is recognized in the 2003 Guinness Book of World Records for creating the smallest printed book reproduction. May 14, 2003

ISN troops take basic training at Ft. Polk - Professor Thomas and ISN faculty and staff spent four days on an army base in rural Louisiana in late January to observe training exercises at JRTC. February 12, 2003

Nano-process for waterproofing - Researchers working with Professor Karen Gleason have used a process called hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) to deposit nanolayers of Teflon for waterproofing materials. February 5, 2003

Opportunities in nanotech touted - Nanotechnology will give researchers at MIT "lots of new opportunities and phenomena" to tackle, said Professor Edwin L. Thomas at an Oct. 5 seminar. October 9, 2002

Model predicts material defects - MIT engineers have developed a model to predict a defect's birthplace, its initial features and how it begins to advance through the material. October 2, 2002

Defects in a material can be predicted - MIT engineers have developed a model to predict a defect's birthplace, its initial features and how it begins to advance through the material. October 2, 2002

Professor writes apology for use of image - Professor Thomas wrote comic book artist Raymond Lai to apologize publicly for Thomas's unknowing use of a Lai image in a research proposal. August 30, 2002

'Nano-machines' are focus of grant - Scientists have received $15 million to study three bacteria to understand the natural roles they play and for their potential as "nano-machines" to clean the environment and produce energy. July 23, 2002

MIT probes cartilage on nanoscale - The molecular "bristles" that are key to cartilage function are revealing new secrets, thanks to novel nanoscale mechanical measurements by MIT researchers. June 12, 2002

MIT probes cartilage on nanoscale - MIT researchers to do new studies of molecular "bristles" of cartilage thanks to novel nanoscale mechanical measuremets. June 11, 2002

Making viruses go to work - MIT professor Angela Belcher is using genetically engineered viruses that are noninfectious to humans to mass produce tiny materials for optical, electronic and magnetic devices. May 8, 2002

Nanomaterial could slide into future soap - A new designer nanomaterial, created by MIT researchers, acts like the main ingredient in soaps, shampoos and detergents. April 3, 2002

New nanomaterial could slide into soap - A new designer nanomaterial, created by MIT researchers, acts like the main ingredient in soaps, shampoos and detergents. April 1, 2002

NanoMechanical lab tests tiny devices - A new NanoMechanical Technology Laboratory at MIT will allow Institute researchers to probe the mechanical properties of surfaces and devices at the atomic and molecular scale. March 20, 2002

MIT to use nanomaterials for Army - The United States Army has selected MIT to create lightweight molecular materials to equip the foot soldiers of the future with uniforms and gear. March 20, 2002

New NanoMechanical Lab at MIT - A new NanoMechanical Technology Laboratory at MIT will allow Institute researchers to probe the mechanical properties of surfaces and devices at the atomic and molecular scale. March 15, 2002

Nanotechnology to help army - The United States Army has selected MIT to create lightweight molecular materials to equip foot soldiers of the future. March 14, 2002

ISN Q & A - Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) -questions and answers. March 13, 2002

Pirelli, Microphotonics Center alliance - Pirelli Labs and MIT's Microphotonics Center have announced a five-year-long framework agreement for advanced research in the field of photonics. January 16, 2002

Pirelli signs research alliance with MIT - Pirelli Labs and the Microphotonics Center of MIT have announced a five-year-long framework agreement for advanced research in the field of photonics. January 14, 2002

Spotlighting nanotechnology - Tiny materials only one to a few nanometers long will be the building blocks of future electronic and optical nanoscale devices. October 31, 2001

Bubbles simulate atoms - The performance of microscopic and nanoscale devices can now be better predicted and improved, thanks to MIT work with a substance familiar to any kid: bubbles. June 13, 2001

Bubbles key to understanding surfaces - Researchers explain how they used soap bubbles to simulate behavior of atoms on and near the surface of material when surface comes in contact with another surface or object. June 11, 2001