DMSE researcher identifies first known Maya scientist

The Maya are renowned for their sophisticated knowledge of astronomy and math, but no individual scientist had ever been identified—until now. Franco Rossi, an archaeology researcher in MIT’s…

From optical lenses and infrared vision to at-home diagnostics

Faster ways to manufacture custom lenses. At-home tests that could help parents determine whether a child has strep throat. Infrared cameras that operate without bulky cooling systems.  These…

Mike Coniglione receives a 2026 Infinite Mile Award

Mike Coniglione, senior human resources representative in MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE), was recognized with a 2026 Infinite Mile Award for his exceptional service and…

DMSE Class of 2026 urged to keep pushing limits after MIT

Undergraduate and graduate students who mastered rigorous subjects, advanced research in fields ranging from semiconductors to medical devices, and even founded companies were urged during MIT’s commencement festivities…

New ideas for preventing complications during pregnancy

At some point during pregnancy, an expectant mother might sense that her fetus is moving less than it had been—a warning sign that something could be amiss.Concerned, she…

Learning to teach, learning to discover

Nik Sandu points to a graph on the whiteboard in a seventh-grade science class. “According to the graph, what is the energy of the ball?” she asks, gently waving…

Researchers “reprogram” materials by quickly rearranging their atoms

It’s been 37 years since scientists first demonstrated the ability to move single atoms, suggesting the possibility of designing materials atom by atom to customize their properties. Today there…

Solving hard problems in soft electronics

A crepe cake.That’s how Camille Cunin describes the polymer-metal “sandwiches” that became a highlight of her doctoral thesis at MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE). Over…

Lasers, robots, action: MIT workshop explores Raman spectroscopy

Could a three-hour workshop on an advanced materials analysis technique turn someone into a detective—or perhaps an art restorer?At MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA) in late…

Recreating the forms and sounds of historical musical instruments

What if there were a way to create accurate replicas of ancient and historical instruments that could be played and heard? In late 2024, senior MIT postdoc Benjamin Sabatini…