Physics

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

Mysterious electron acceleration explainedComputer simulation identifies source of aurora-causing high-speed electrons in space

Making droplets drop fasterNew nanopatterned surfaces could improve the efficiency of powerplants and desalination systems.

MIT team promotes prostate cancer prognosis toolGroup is a semifinalist in MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition

My connectome, myselfNeuroscientist Sebastian Seung is on a quest to map brain connections that reveal how our memories and personalities take root.

Turning heat into powerA new kind of high-temperature photonic crystal could someday power everything from smartphones to spacecraft.

Solving energy problems, one molecule at a timeMaterials scientist explores new possibilities in topics from molecules to rooftop solar panels.

Astronomers find a dark matter galaxy far, far awayDiscovery could offer clues on the nature of dark matter.

Watching a gas turn superfluidNew work on ultracold gases may also help scientists understand high-temperature superconductors and neutron stars.

Two new Earth-sized exoplanets discoveredSome 950 light-years away, team finds smallest exoplanets yet detected.

Electronics takes on a new spinResearchers at MIT find a way to observe and control the way electrons spin on the surface of exotic new materials.