Environment

In the World: Drinking water, from sunshineMIT team designs solar-powered portable desalination system to use in disaster zones and remote regions.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory named a bicycle-friendly businessDesignation recognizes commitment to employees, environment

In Profile: James WescoatFrom India to California, an MIT landscape architect and geographer has charted a new course in the study of water.

MIT’s SAP Enterprise Learning Environment will improve access to training opportunitiesNew training site provides a clearer view into the catalog of MIT courses offered by central offices.

Stefan Helmreich wins Gregory Bateson Book Prize for Alien OceanResearch examines the world of deep sea marine microbiologists

MIT-led team’s eco-aircraft receives Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Innovator AwardUnique plane offers significant reduction in emissions, noise and fuel use.

A link between air travel and deaths on the groundStudy suggests pollution from airplanes flying at ‘cruise’ altitudes contributes to 8,000 deaths per year globally.

The energy challenge calls on humanities and social-science researchCourses on energy include economics, political science, history, literature and more.

More hurricanes in greener seas?Research suggests ocean color is linked to formation, movement of tropical cyclones

Financial impacts of ‘cap and trade’Analysis shows that, contrary to some claims, proposed legislation to limit carbon emissions would not disadvantage those with lower incomes.

CEHS calls for pilot project proposalsDeadline for submissions is Monday, Aug. 2.

The aerosols conundrumResearch shows that aerosols not only cool, but also heat the planet — a finding that may cloud the validity of climate-change models.

Lunch with a Laureate: Eric ChivianPresented by the MIT Museum and the Cambridge Science Festival

Moavenzadeh named president of Masdar InstituteLongtime MIT engineering professor takes on role in Abu Dhabi, effective July 1.

Thin films show surprising reactivityMIT findings of high oxygen activity in thin-film materials might someday lead to greatly increased power production from future fuel cells

Enhancing the power of batteriesMIT team finds that using carbon nanotubes in a lithium battery can dramatically improve its energy capacity.

3 Questions: Noelle Selin on curbing mercuryAs U.N. negotiations begin this week on a global mercury treaty, an MIT atmospheric scientist explains the challenges ahead.

3 Questions: John Marshall on the Gulf of Mexico oil spillAn MIT oceanographer discusses why ‘we have never had a spill like this’ — and what that means for cleanup efforts.

‘Efficiency Forward'Ambitious collaboration between MIT and NSTAR aims to cut campus electricity use by 15 percent over 3 years.

Pooling MIT’s resources to ‘rethink’ waterWorkshop assesses scope of water research currently underway at Institute, eyes work that lies ahead.

Environmental Research Council issues reportCouncil is asked to develop plan to establish MIT Environmental Initiative

Fly the eco-friendly skiesMIT-led team designs airplanes that would use 70 percent less fuel than current models.

Slideshow: Mapping the oil spillMIT student leads project using balloons and kites to provide aerial documentation of the Gulf oil slick’s extent and effects

3 Questions: Stephen Connors on offshore wind farmsWhat the federal approval of the Cape Wind project will mean for Massachusetts and the nation

In the World: Clean Water for GhanaMIT students help a researcher build a factory that could provide water filters for 1 million people in northern Ghana

New phenomenon found in internal wavesMIT team shows that waves inside oceans, air and stars are filtered and reflected by layers.

Fund helps energy efficiency bloom across campusAlumni gifts support the greening of MIT, and the resulting savings are being reinvested in similar projects.

Four decades of Earth DaysMIT plans a week of events and activities to mark Earth Day’s 40th anniversary.