massachusetts institute of technology today's spotlight about
Close
Spotlight image Spotlight image
The iconic MIT home page Spotlight features a daily-changing image and design that focuses on advances in research, technology and education taking place at the Institute. Though some Spotlights do run multiple days - for example Friday's spot usually runs through the weekend, we work very hard to maintain the daily-changing tradition. We've combed our servers and have compiled a digital archive of the Institute home page through the years - well over 2000 images. Enjoy!
Close
Where art meets scienceToday’s Spotlight features photographs, taken by Melanie Gonick/MIT, of items made in the MIT Glass Lab.

The MIT Glass Lab is located in the basement of the infinite corridor, in room 4‑003. Extracurricular classes are offered to the MIT community throughout the school year. The lab also hosts several sales during the year, as well as a lectureship and residency. The lab is also involved with special projects. Please explore our site for more information.

Watch video.
The MIT home page Spotlight showcases the research, technology and education advances taking place at the Institute every day.

What makes it as a Spotlight image is an editorial decision by the MIT News Office based on factors that include timeliness, promotion of MIT's mission, the balance of interest to both internal and external audiences, and appropriateness.

We do welcome ideas and submissions for spotlights from community members, but please note we are not able to accommodate all requests. We are unable to run event previews or promotions as spotlights; for those looking to promote an event, we are happy to include your listing as an event headline on the homepage (when space is available) and you are free to submit an Of Note to the MIT News office. For more information, e-mail the spotlight team.

Request a Spotlight, Of Note or Event Headline, here.
Aircraft designed to degrade may last longer

Aircraft designed to degrade may last longer

Today’s Spotlight features a photograph by Dominick Reuter of Olivier de Weck, an associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics and engineering systems at MIT.

Complex systems inhabit a “gray world” of partial failures, MIT’s Olivier de Weck says: While a system may continue to operate as a whole, bits and pieces inevitably degrade. Over time, these small failures can add up to a single catastrophic failure, incapacitating the system.

“Think about your car,” says de Weck, an associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics and engineering systems. “Most of the things are working, but maybe your right rearview mirror is cracked, and maybe one of the cylinders in your engine isn’t working well, and your left taillight is out. The reality is that many, many real‑world systems have partial failures.” Read more.