MIT chemists design impact-resistant plastics Introducing weaker bonds into polystyrene and rubber helps these materials dissipate energy, making them more resistant to destructive forces. June 3, 2026
Ultrasound-based pacemaker noninvasively steadies the heart The new design could offer a surgery-free alternative to traditional cardiac implants. June 2, 2026
New propulsion system could make tiny satellites both fast and fuel-efficient For satellites as small as a briefcase, getting around in space just got a whole lot easier. June 1, 2026
Enzymes that assemble into droplets can speed up cellular reactions MIT biologists find highly concentrated droplets can help cells keep enzymes organized and control growth signals. June 1, 2026
How a new extraction process could unlock the world’s lithium Startup Rock Zero is commercializing the research, which could cut costs and carbon emissions from lithium production. The company is part of MIT.nano's hard-tech accelerator, START.nano.Read more from MIT Technology Review. May 30, 2026
New laboratory at MIT aims to advance quantum research for the nation The Quantum Systems Laboratory will catalyze quantum innovation and be open to government, academic, and industry researchers. May 29, 2026
MIT researchers develop a low-cost technique to get lithium out of rocks The low-temperature process could unlock cleaner lithium from America’s abundant hard rock while minimizing waste. May 29, 2026
A new sensor could enable earlier detection of bladder cancer Using a catheter coated with carbon nanotubes, researchers can detect biomarkers produced by cancer cells in the bladder. May 28, 2026
Brighter MRI signals New MRI sensors developed at MIT sensitively detect target molecules in the brain and body. May 27, 2026
Lisa Su ’90, SM ’91, PhD ’94 to deliver MIT’s 2026 Commencement address An electrical engineer by training, Su is the chair and CEO of the semiconductor company AMD. May 23, 2026