Self-sculpting sand
New algorithms could enable heaps of ‘smart sand’ that can assume any shape, allowing spontaneous formation of new tools or duplication of broken mechanical parts.
Robots go head to head, 250 miles above Earth
Third annual Zero Robotics competition pits robots against each other on the International Space Station.
Data mining without prejudice
A new technique for finding relationships between variables in large datasets makes no prior assumptions about what those relationships might be.
Double duty
A computational biologist and physician, Collin Stultz takes a unique approach to studying diseases that could lead to new treatments.
New algorithm could substantially speed up MRI scans
Faster scans could reduce the time patients spend in the machine from 45 to 15 minutes.
Smarter robot arms
A combination of two algorithms developed at MIT allows autonomous robots to execute tasks much more efficiently — and move more predictably.
Andrew Lo joins CSAIL
Economist hopes to merge the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence with research on financial markets and risk.
Milestone for MIT Press’s bestseller
What began as lecture notes for an MIT computer-science class has become the standard text in the field, selling half a million copies in 20 years.
Portable, super-high-resolution 3-D imaging
A simple new imaging system could help manufacturers inspect their products, forensics experts identify weapons and doctors identify cancers.
Safer skies
A new algorithm could help prevent midair collisions, which involve 10 to 12 small aircraft every year.
The math of the Rubik’s cube
New research establishes the relationship between the number of squares in a Rubik’s-cube-type puzzle and the maximum number of moves required to solve it.
‘Smart cars’ that are actually, well, smart
Mechanical engineers work to develop intelligent onboard transportation systems that can prevent car crashes.
Honing household helpers
MIT computer scientists work toward improving robots’ ability to plan and perform complex actions, domestically and elsewhere.