Physics

Riding herd on photonsA new ‘metamaterial’ prevents electromagnetic waves from reflecting backward, pointing the way toward computer chips that move data with light.

Alan Guth wins $3 million Fundamental Physics PrizeMIT physicist among nine inaugural winners of prize awarded by Russia’s Milner Foundation.

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.

A far-off solar systemResearchers measure the orientation of a multiplanet system and find it very similar to our own solar system.

Five MIT researchers win presidential early career honorsJarillo-Herrero, Lu, Pathak, Sinha and Thaler among 96 winners.

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.

3 Questions: Physicist Christoph Paus discusses newly discovered particleDozens of MIT physicists were part of the team that found what might be the Higgs boson. What does their discovery mean, and what’s next for particle physics?

CERN announces observation of new particle consistent with long-sought Higgs bosonDozens of MIT researchers contribute to breakthrough in particle physics.

Daniel Casey: Exploring a ‘little star’ on Earth

Better surfaces could help dissipate heatHeat transfer in everything from computer chips to powerplants could be improved through new analysis of surface textures.

New technique allows simulation of noncrystalline materialsMultidisciplinary team develops mathematical approach that could help in simulating materials for solar cells and LEDs.

Fusion program moves beyond plasma, toward practical powerplant issues

From yeast, researchers learn how populations collapseFindings could help fishery and wildlife managers monitor their stocks before disaster strikes.

Dresselhaus, Graybiel, Luu receive 2012 Kavli PrizesBiennial prizes in astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience include a $1 million cash award in each field.

Newfound exoplanet may turn to dustA planet’s dust cloud may explain strange patterns of light from its star.

A physicist and an inventorNew technologies from Marin Soljacic’s lab could have a far-reaching impact on daily life.

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

Clarice Aiello: Finding quantum gold in diamond’s defect

Sara Seager named co-winner of the 2012 Sackler Prize

New nuclear science and engineering faculty drive curriculum expansion into computational science and engineering

MIT students teach hands-on learning abroadMISTI Global Teaching Labs attracts students looking to share the Institute's unique approach to science and engineering education.

Two MIT juniors named Truman ScholarsMcCord, Okuneye awarded $30,000 for graduate study toward careers in government, non-profits.

Predicting how proteins will partnerAmy Keating models critical interactions that underlie most cellular functions.

X-ray monitoring mission comes to an endThe RXTE satellite retires after 16 years.

Louis S. Osborne PhD ’50, longtime MIT physicist, dies at 88Developed many of the experimental techniques that are now standard practice in high-energy physics