MIT Materials Research Laboratory Newsletter

February, 2018

About MRL

Predictable patterns

A recolored optical image obtained by MIT researchers showing a carbon nanotube cell shaped like a heart. Image, Ashley L. Kaiser

A recolored optical image shows a heart-shaped carbon nanotube cell. Image, Ashley L. Kaiser and Itai Y. Stein, MIT.

Researchers get to the heart

of carbon nanotube clusters

MIT researchers have developed a systematic method to predict the two-dimensional patterns CNT arrays form after they are packed together, or densified, by evaporating drops of either acetone or ethanol.

Jennifer Rupp's current ceramics research applications range from battery-based storage for renewable energy, to energy-harvesting systems, to devices used to store data during computation. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Rupp.

Jennifer Rupp: Engineering practical ceramics

Polina Anikeeva was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, then known as Leningrad, where two inspiring scientists helped propel her toward a career at MIT. She develops materials to help researchers probe the mysteries of the brain. Image, Bryce Vickmark.

Seeking materials

that match the brain

Quantum Materials boot camp

Now entering its second year, the NSF/DOE Quantum Science Summer School (QS3) will offer approximately 40 graduate students and postdocs a mix of classroom style lectures, technology enabled learning and team challenges to delve deeper into the future of quantum science and technology.

Students participate in a poster session, one of two during Quantum Science Summer School, 2017. Photo courtesy of Prof. Joseph Checkelsky.

Tom Marrapode, Director of Advanced Technology Development at Molex Optical Solutions Group, speaks about work on board-level optical interconnects at the AIM Photonics Academy fall 2017 meeting. Photo, Melissa Renzi, SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

Tom Marrapode, of Molex Optical Solutions, speaks at the AIM Photonics Academy fall 2017 meeting. Photo, Melissa Renzi, SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

Mapping photonic systems needs through 2035

Industry and academic leaders from across the country and around the world will gather at MIT on Monday and Tuesday, March 26-27, 2018, for the spring AIM Photonics Technical Roadmap Meeting.

The topic is “Photonic Integration 2035: Economics, Technology and Manufacturing.”

In Other News

Researchers hope that their work will lead to a new approach to designing and evaluating polymer stents and other types of degradable medical devices. Image, Pei-Jiang Wang

Study reveals why polymer stents failed

Scientists at MIT, Harvard University, and elsewhere have now demonstrated that photons can be made to interact â an accomplishment that could open a path toward using photons in quantum computing, if not in light sabers. Image, Christine Daniloff, MIT

Physicists create new form of light

MIT researchers have developed a special-purpose chip that increases the speed of neural-network computations by three to seven times over its predecessors, while reducing power consumption 93 to 96 percent. Image, Chelsea Turner, MIT

Neural networks everywhere

Event Calendar

• 2018 MIT Energy Conference: Transformational Technologies, Grand Ballroom, Boston Marriott Cambridge Hotel, 8am-9pm, Fri., 8 am-5:30pm, March 2-3, 2018. Registration required.

• MIT ei Seminar: “ Innovating for the clean energy economy,” Prof. Daniel Kammen, University of California-Berkeley, Building 66-110, 5-6pm, Tues., March 6, 2018. Registration requested.

• Vannevar Bush Lecture Series on Science and Technology Innovation: “ The 21st Century’s Technology Story: The Convergence of Biology and Engineering,” Susan Hockfield, Building E51-335, 6-7pm, Tues., March 13, 2018.

• AIM Photonics Spring 2018 Roadmap Meeting, 8am-8:30pm Mon., 8 am-5:30pm, Tues., March 26-27, 2018. Registration required.

• NanoDays 2018, Museum of Science, Boston, 11 am-4pm, Sun., April 8, 2018. Admission fee.

• 12th Annual Cambridge Science Festival Fri.-Sun., April 13-22, 2018.

• Explore more at MIT Events Calendar.

Join the MRL Collegium

We invite your company to become a member of the MRL Industry Collegium. As a member, your company will receive:

premium access to member only briefing materials and information via our website
periodic publications and research activity highlights
invitations to workshops, conferences and symposia
support for research staff visits on-campus
facilitation of corporate meetings and events
customized interactions with MIT students

T o join the collegium contact:

Mark Beals

Associate Director, MRL

617-253-2129

mbeals@mit.edu

77 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02139

617-253-5179

mit-mrl@mit.edu

https://mrl.mit.edu