Origami anything

New algorithm generates practical paper-folding patterns to produce any 3-D structure.

Toward optical quantum computing

Prototype device enables photon-photon interactions at room temperature.

Batteries that “drink” seawater could power long-range underwater vehicles

Startup’s novel aluminum batteries increase the range of UUVs tenfold.

How cells combat chromosome imbalance

Biologists discover the immune system can eliminate cells with too many or too few chromosomes.

New technique makes brain scans better

Boosting quality of patient MRIs could enable large-scale studies of stroke outcome.

Shrinking data for surgical training

Technique that reduces video files to one-tenth their initial size enables speedy analysis of laparoscopic procedures.

In a Guardian article about how technology can be used to help refugees, Tazeen Dhunna Ahmad highlights MIT’s Refugee ACTion Hub (ReACT). ReACT is aimed at finding, “digital learning opportunities for a lost generation of children who, as a result of forced displacement, are losing their education.”

Wired reporter Aarian Marshall writes that AgeLab researchers are studying how drivers interact with their phones, in an effort to reduce fatalities caused by distracted driving. Research scientist Bruce Mehler explains that researchers are, “focused on taking a really fresh look at the whole design approach to evaluating human-machine interfaces in the car."

MIT researchers have developed a computer chip that uses beams of light to mimic neurons, reports Matthew Hutson for Science. Hutson explains that, “such ‘optical neural networks’ could make any application of so-called deep learning—from virtual assistants to language translators—many times faster and more efficient.”

Financial Times reporter John Thornhill writes about Prof. Erik Brynjolfsson and Principal Research Scientist Andrew McAfee’s latest book, “Machine, Platform, Crowd.” Thornhill writes that the book is “a clear and crisply written account of machine intelligence, big data and the sharing economy.”

Anantha Chandrakasan named dean of School of Engineering

Head of Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science will succeed Ian Waitz.

AFFOA launches state-of-the-art facility for prototyping advanced fabrics

New center for development of high-tech fibers and fabrics opens headquarters, unveils two products ready for commercialization.

After MIT, new officers will serve their country

Following their MIT studies, graduates in MIT’s Reserve Officer Training Corps set off on new challenges in the U.S. military.