Materials science

MIT researchers discover a new kind of magnetismExperiments demonstrate ‘quantum spin liquid,’ which could have applications in new computer memory storage.

Yue Fan awarded Argonne postdoctoral fellowship

Inspiration from a porcupine’s quillsUnderstanding the mechanisms behind quill penetration and extraction could help engineers design better medical devices.

Building a better worldFrom fuel cells to bamboo, and from Tanzania to Brazil, MIT senior Arfa Aijazi crosses borders and disciplines to make an impact.

How ‘transparent’ is graphene?MIT researchers find that adding a coating of graphene has little effect on how a surface interacts with liquids — except in extreme cases.

Varanasi selected as outstanding young manufacturing engineer by SMEMIT professor of mechanical engineering is one of just seven recipients of the award this year.

The music of the silksResearchers synthesize a new kind of silk fiber — and find that music can help fine-tune the material’s properties.

All that is solid melts into air: Tomás Saraceno visits MITCAST visiting artist creates inflatable and airborne biospheres: speculative models for alternate ways of living.

Chiang honored for achievements in energy and environmentWins Innovation Award from The Economist

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

Controlling heat flow through a nanostructureMIT researchers find that heat moving in materials called superlattices behaves like waves; finding could enable better thermoelectrics.

Michael Short spans classroom, forge, reactor

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

Stronger than a speeding bulletNew tests of nanostructured material could lead to better armor against everything from gunfire to micrometeorites.

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

Taking the sting out of medical tapeNew adhesive comes off quickly, sparing infants’ delicate skin from damage.

How to communicate science visuallyIn a new book, MIT’s Felice Frankel aims to help scientists and engineers improve the way they portray their research through photos, diagrams and graphs.

Jaenisch, Suresh named Franklin Institute laureates

A better way to shed waterMIT researchers find that lubricated, nanotextured surfaces improved performance of condensers in power and desalination plants.

Profile: Ju Li explores new nanomaterialsWorking from the scale of atoms on up, he designs materials for future energy applications.

New technique reveals lithium in actionFundamental reactions behind advanced battery technology, revealed in detail by advanced imaging method, could lead to improved materials.

Probing the mysteries of cracks and stressesAnalysis of molecular-level fracture and stress mechanisms could have broad implications for understanding materials’ behavior.

Understanding and predicting materials behaviorDepartment of Nuclear Science and Engineering takes an interdisciplinary approach

Oscillating microscopic beads could be key to biolab on a chipMIT team finds way to manipulate and measure magnetic particles without contact, potentially enabling multiple medical tests on a tiny device.

World-class musician Mark Stewart comes to the Glass LabIn a yearlong residency, the musician and instrument designer will build a glass orchestra with MIT students.

Protein impedes microcirculation of malaria-infected red blood cellsMIT-led research team finds that protein significantly reduces infected cells’ ability to squeeze through tiny channels compared to healthy cells.

Engineers achieve longstanding goal of stable nanocrystalline metalsMethod developed by MIT researchers could produce materials with exceptional strength and other properties.

One-molecule-thick material has big advantagesMIT researchers produce complex electronic circuits from molybdenum disulfide, a material that could have many more applications.