Research

Ozdaglar selected as the inaugural Steven and Renee Finn Innovation FellowThe fellowship provides tenured, mid-career faculty in the Department of Electrical Engineer and Computer Science with resources for up to three years to pursue new research and development paths.

Maria Zuber appointed vice president for researchClaude Canizares will take a new role as a vice president with responsibility for international partnerships.

Proving quantum computers feasibleWith a new contribution to probability theory, researchers show that relatively simple physical systems could yield powerful quantum computers.

Scientists image brain structures that deteriorate in Parkinson’sNew MRI technique could help doctors track how patients respond to treatment.

Sibling powerSiblings Andrew and Jennifer Barry have not only managed to maintain a close friendship into their adult years, but are also both studying robotics at CSAIL

Funneling the sun’s energyMIT engineers propose a new way of harnessing photons for electricity, with the potential for capturing a wider spectrum of solar energy.

Brain waves encode rules for behaviorFluctuations in electrical activity may also allow the brain to form thoughts and memories.

Ocean currents play a role in predicting extent of Arctic sea iceDiscovery of feedback between sea ice and ocean improves Arctic ice extent forecast.

A different operating procedureMIT Sloan’s Katherine Kellogg goes inside hospitals to study medical practices.

New injectable gels toughen up after entering the bodyThese more durable gels could find applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.

Department snapshot: Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceEECS places renewed emphasis on interdisciplinary research, partnerships with alumni and industry, and experiential learning.

From the water to WashingtonMIT senior Noam Angrist works to reform education and health care through youth mentorship and economics.

Vehicle efficiency standards vs. a carbon tax: the costs and politicsMIT researchers show merits of a carbon tax.

Driving drones can be a dragStudy shows distractions may alleviate boredom and improve drone operators’ performance.

Speeding algorithms by shrinking dataA new approach to processing ‘big data’ creates succinct representations of huge data sets, so that existing algorithms can handle them efficiently.

It pays to cooperateYeast cells that share food have a survival edge over their freeloading neighbors — particularly when there is bacterial competition.

Michael Short spans classroom, forge, reactor

On the hunt for rare cancer cellsJellyfish-inspired device that rapidly and efficiently captures cancer cells from blood samples could enable better patient monitoring.

Three awards for MIT research in anthropology, economics and political scienceMikusheva receives Elaine Bennett Research Prize; Petersen wins Distinguished Book Award; Helmreich wins Rachel Carson Prize.

MIT a linchpin of major new USAID programInstitute researchers aim to spur development and evaluation of useful technologies to help the world’s poor.

Fighting bacteria with mucusStudy shows that key proteins in mucus prevent bacterial adhesion to surfaces, could help prevent growth of biofilms.

Size diversity in cement nanoparticles optimizes packing density to give concrete its strength

Medical devices powered by the ear itselfFor the first time, researchers power an implantable electronic device using an electrical potential — a natural battery — deep in the inner ear.

New method could help communities plan for climate riskMIT researchers develop tool to assess regional risks of climate change, potential impacts on local infrastructure and planning.

Undergraduate Winters presents winning poster at APS annual meetingDepartment of Nuclear Science and Engineering junior wins one of three poster awards.

A step toward stronger polymersCounting loops that weaken materials could help researchers eliminate structural flaws.