Pushing through sand
Simple equation predicts force needed to push objects through granular and pasty materials.
Seeing nature through a molecular engineer’s eye
Alfredo Alexander-Katz probes systems in action, from clotting blood to walking molecules.
User-friendly language for programming efficient simulations
New language can speed up computer simulations 200-fold or reduce the code they require by 90 percent.
![“We don’t necessarily want [air traffic controllers] to spend the bandwidth on processing 40 pieces of information. Instead, we can tell them the three top choices,” says Hamsa Balakrishnan, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT and a member of MIT’s Institute for Data, Systems, and Society.](/sites/default/files/styles/term_page__news_article/public/images/201607/MIT-Hamsa-Balakrishnan-1.jpg?itok=b_24OVE6)
How the spleen filters blood
Computer model finds slits in the spleen impose a “physical fitness test” on red blood cells.
Analog computing returns
New analog compiler could help enable simulation of whole organs and even organisms.
![“It’s very inspiring to see how these [hair-like] structures occur in nature and how they can achieve different functions,” says Jifei Ou, a graduate student in media arts and sciences at MIT. “We’re just trying to think how can we fully utilize the potential of 3-D printing, and create new functional materials whose properties are easily tunable and controllable.” Pictured is an examp...](/sites/default/files/styles/term_page__news_article/public/images/201606/MIT-PrintingHair.jpg?itok=3T6UnWhD)
Need hair? Press “print”
With fur, brushes, and bristles, Media Lab’s technique opens new frontier in 3-D printing.
India drift
MIT researchers explain mystery of India’s rapid move toward Eurasia 80 million years ago.
How to predict responses to disease
Computer model could help public health officials anticipate overreactions to disease outbreaks.
In one aspect of vision, computers catch up to primate brain
Newest computer neural networks can identify visual objects as well as the primate brain.
Modeling shockwaves through the brain
New scaling law helps estimate humans' risk of blast-induced traumatic brain injury.
Unlocking the potential of simulation software
Novel software by Akselos drastically increases speed, ease of 3-D engineering simulations.
Can we see the arrow of time?
Algorithm can determine, with 80 percent accuracy, whether video is running forward or backward.
Flight path: Into the volcanic plume
Researchers in EAPS are using small unmanned aircraft systems to better understand environmental phenomena, such as dangerous volcanic plumes.