MIT slows light to absorb and generate energy


Ubiquitous energy: A solar game-changer? 

Anyone who knew Miles C. Barr as a kid no doubt realized he'd go far one day.

This battery is powered by molten metals

Researchers at MIT say they have developed a new type of low-cost battery that could be the future of affordable energy storage systems.

Aurora mystery explained

Mysterious aurora-causing high-speed electrons detected by space probes have finally been explained, thanks to a massive computer simulation.

Engineers find new way to target cancer

For ten years, it's been known that RNA interference could potentially kill cancer by shutting off malfunctioning genes - but there's been no  efficient way to deliver the RNA.

The 3D algorithms of artificial intelligence

Robots could soon be capable of real-time autonomous navigation by creating and continuously updating an internal three-dimensional map.

MIT announces free online courses

MIT's announced plans for a fully-online electronics course open to anyone in the world - and completely free.

Major storms set to increase

So-called 'storms of the century' like last August's Hurricane Irene could become almost commonplace, thanks to climate change.

Quarter of tweets 'not worth reading'

A quarter? Seriously, only a quarter? But that's the proportion of tweets that Twitter users say are a waste of time.

US set to be hit hardest by tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclones will cause $109 billion in damages by the end of the century, according to Yale and MIT researchers, because of economic growth as well as climate change.

The art of spider web design

Although researchers are well aware of the incredible strength of spider silk, the hardy nature of the tiny filaments cannot explain how webs routinely survive multiple tears and winds exceeding hurricane strength.  

MIT calculates UAV 'speed limit'

Many birds can zip at high speed through a forest without crashing into trees. But, say MIT researchers, there's a top speed at which this is possible, and it's an important factor in designing drones.

Sunflower inspires more efficient solar layout

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that the fast-growing, brilliantly bright sunflower offers guidance on how best to gather solar energy.

Yes, MIT economists can be wrong about cars

MIT economist Christopher Knittel recently published a report analyzing the fuel economy of vehicles on the streets in 2006.  

Why you're not getting more miles per gallon

If you're an average motorist, you're driving a car that's vastly more fuel efficient than the one you had in 1980 - and an MIT economist has explained why it almost certainly doesn't feel like it.

Twitter use spread through face-to-face 'contagion'


Trillon fps camera fast enough to film photons

MIT's created a camera that can capture a trillion frames a second - the ultimate in slow motion, say its developers.

Should the DHS assume control of the electric grid?

A new report published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recommends that a federal agency such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assume control over the US electric grid.

MIT takes big step towards optical computing


MIT chip 'mimics brain'
