David L. Chandler
Articles
Engineers discover way to control nuclei to encode quantum information
MIT researchers can directly control a property of nuclei called spin using lasers, which can help them encode quantum information.
Assembler robot groups have potential for making larger structures
MIT researchers are showing how groups of robots can work together to build almost anything from buildings, vehicles and larger robots.
Engineers develop shape-memory material for actuators
MIT researchers have developed a ceramic-based material that could be used for highly efficient actuators for aircraft or other uses, with minimal moving parts.
Machine, device learning on the edge
MIT researchers have developed a technique that enables AI models to continually learn from new data on intelligent edge devices like smartphones and sensors, reducing energy costs and privacy risks.
Engineers repurpose photography technique to enhance sensors, vision
MIT researchers have repurposed a 19th century photography technique to make stretchy, color-changing films, which could improve manufacturing of pressure-monitoring bandages, shade-shifting fabrics touch-sensing robots and more.
Silk developed as alternative to some microplastics
Researchers have developed a system based on silk that could provide an inexpensive and easily manufactured substitute, which could improve quality for manufactured goods and processes.
Carbon fiber development used for lightweight structural materials
MIT researchers have found a way to make carbon fiber could turn refinery byproducts into high-value, ultralight structural materials for cars, aircraft and spacecraft.
Solar-powered system offers a route to inexpensive desalination
A passive solar evaporation system developed by MIT researchers could be used to clean wastewater, provide potable water or sterilize medical tools in off-grid areas.
Controlling how surfaces and liquids interact
MIT researchers have developed a process that enables control over liquid-solid interfaces even with the most unlikely pairs of materials.
Flexible fiber lithium-ion battery developed for wearable devices
MIT researchers have developed a rechargeable battery can be woven and washed, and could provide power for fiber-based electronic devices and sensors.
Ferrimagnet control for faster data storage, smaller sensors
MIT researchers have developed a way of rapidly switching the magnetic polarity of a ferrimagnet 180 degrees with a small applied voltage, which could help improve data storage and create smaller sensors.
Using diamond as a metallic conductor
Normally an insulator, diamond becomes a metallic conductor when subjected to large strain in a theoretical model, which could improve solar cells, quantum sensors, optical devices and more.
Transparent graphene electrodes could lead to improved solar cells
MIT researchers have developed a roll-to-roll production method could enable lightweight, flexible solar devices and a new generation of display screens.
Research team working on open-source, low-cost ventilator for coronavirus patients
An MIT volunteer research team of engineers, physicians, computer scientists and others are carrying on prior work to develop an open-source low-cost ventilator to help hospitals and emergency teams around the world.
Material’s insulating properties can be tuned at will
MIT researchers have designed an electrical heat valve, which can vary the thermal conductivity on demand, and could help create controllable insulation and harvest the energy of waste heat.
Electrode design may lead to more powerful batteries
An MIT research team has devised a lithium metal anode that could improve the longevity and energy density of future batteries.
Assembler robots make large structures from little pieces
MIT researchers are working on developing systems of tiny robots that may someday build high-performance structures, from airplanes to space settlements.
Engineers develop multimaterial fiber ink for 3-D-printed devices
A method developed by MIT researchers uses standard 3-D printers to produce functioning devices with the electronics already embedded inside and can sense their surroundings, store energy or perform other actions.
Electrolyte developed to enhance supercapacitor performance
Researchers at MIT and several other institutions have developed an electrolyte for improving the efficiency and stability of supercapacitors while reducing their flammability.
Tiny motor designed to walk to carry out tasks
MIT researchers have developed a mobile motor that could allow future robots to assemble complex structures — including other robots.
Engineered surface developed to reduce waste, improve efficiency
MIT researchers have developed a coating to get much thicker materials to slide without sticking or deforming, which may improve the quality of products ranging from bread to pharmaceuticals, and the efficiency of flow batteries.
Hybrid cathode developed for lithium batteries
Researchers at MIT and China have developed a hybrid cathode that is designed to improve the lifespan of lithium batteries as well as making them lighter and smaller.
Efficient boiling research for power plants to improve energy efficiency
MIT research is looking to develop understanding of heat transfer in boiling water, which could lead to efficiency improvements in power plants and improved analytics.
Energy monitor can find electrical failures before they happen
MIT researchers have developed a sensor that can monitor wiring in a building or ship, and signal when repairs are needed.
Using artificial intelligence to engineer materials’ properties
MIT researchers, along with scientists in Russia and Singapore, have developed a system of “strain engineering," which can change a material’s optical, electrical, and thermal properties using artificial intelligence (AI).
Researchers develop device to provide cooling in harsh locations
MIT researchers have devised a way of providing cooling on a hot sunny day, using inexpensive materials and requiring no fossil fuel-generated power by allowing heat emission at a mid-infrared range of light.