National Science Foundation (NSF)

Weapon-wielding marine microbes may protect populations from foesIn some populations, natural antibiotics are produced by a few individuals whose closest relatives carry genes conferring resistance.

A one-way street for spinning atomsWork correlating ultracold atoms’ spin with their direction of motion may help physicists model new circuit devices and unusual phases of matter.

Single-photon transmitter could enable new quantum devicesLong-sought goal for quantum devices — the ability to transmit single photons while blocking multiple photons — is finally achieved.

Research update: Chips with self-assembling rectanglesNew technique allows production of complex microchip structures in one self-assembling step.

Dripping faucets inspire new way of creating structured particlesResearchers find new method for making spherical particles, from nanoscale to pinhead-sized — including complex beach-ball-like shapes.

Researchers explain how dye-based nanotubes can help harvest light’s energyTiny cylinders help reveal how natural-light-harvesting antennae collect light with exceptional efficiency.

All in a day’s work: Design and print your own robotMIT project, funded with $10 million NSF grant, could transform robotic design and production

Scott Aaronson wins NSF’s Alan T. Waterman AwardNational Science Foundation’s most prestigious award will help fuel CSAIL researcher’s work.

Young scientists and babies: White House policy begins with alumna requestA new White House initiative to provide workplace flexibility to young scientists — starting with the National Science Foundation — has MIT fingerprints all over it.

Vest wins NSB's Vannevar Bush awardPresident emeritus honored for public service leadership

Suresh awarded prestigious Padma Shri from government of IndiaNSF director and former MIT engineering dean receives highest civilian honor.

Martin Hackl's Experimental Syntax and Semantics Lab generates knowledge about meaning formationRole of linguistic form stronger than previously realized.

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

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

Suresh discusses the role of engineering in the study of infectious diseaseIn public lecture at MIT, former dean describes progress in understanding malaria.

Can telecom data help redraw political boundaries?By analyzing one of the world’s largest databases of phone data, researchers partition Great Britain into densely interconnected regions.

Harrell convenes thought-leaders to catalyze new research informed by science, humanities and arts disciplines

Suresh sworn in as NSF directorHoldren administers oath of office.

Teaching biology with technologyKlopfer awarded $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to improve high school teaching

Putting heads togetherNew study: groups demonstrate distinctive ‘collective intelligence’ when facing difficult tasks

Stately Killian Court serves as testing ground for new geotech toolCivil engineers develop new probe for determining soil characteristics.

Subra Suresh to head National Science FoundationMIT’s dean of engineering has been confirmed by the United States Senate to direct the largest supporter of non-medical basic-science research in the country.

School of Engineering Dean Search Advisory Committee appointed12-member group will be led by Professor Jeffrey Shapiro.

NSF award funds Media Lab researchers work on Autism spectrum disordersCollaboration is the first large-scale effort of computer and behavioral scientists to jointly address ASD.

Suresh formally nominated to lead NSFPresident Obama sends MIT engineering dean’s nomination to the U.S. Senate

Obama intends to nominate Suresh as next NSF directorThe MIT engineering dean would lead the independent federal agency that supports science and engineering research.