Sofas that self-assemble when you heat them up? How 4D printing could transform manufacturing

This unsung research area involves 3D-printing smart materials that can change shape when they come into contact with stimuli like heat or light.

Mahdi Bodaghi, Associate Professor of Smart Materials & Manufacturing, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Feb. 12, 2025 ~8 min

MIT engineers develop a fully 3D-printed electrospray engine

Ideal for propelling tiny satellites, the lightweight devices could be produced on board a spacecraft and cost much less than traditional thrusters.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
Feb. 12, 2025 ~8 min


Cleaning up critical minerals and materials production, using microwave plasma

With technology developed at MIT, 6K is helping to bring critical materials production back to the U.S. without toxic byproducts.

Zach Winn | MIT News • mit
Feb. 7, 2025 ~8 min

How good old mud can lower building costs

Builders pour concrete into temporary molds called formwork. MIT researchers invented a way to make these structures out of on-site soil.

Peter Dizikes | MIT News • mit
Jan. 24, 2025 ~7 min

To design better water filters, MIT engineers look to manta rays

New research shows the filter-feeders strike a natural balance between permeability and selectivity that could inform design of water treatment systems.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Nov. 25, 2024 ~8 min

A portable light system that can digitize everyday objects

A new design tool uses UV and RGB lights to change the color and textures of everyday objects. The system could enable surfaces to display dynamic patterns, such as health data and fashion designs.

Alex Shipps | MIT CSAIL • mit
Nov. 6, 2024 ~8 min

Interactive mouthpiece opens new opportunities for health data, assistive technology, and hands-free interactions

“MouthIO” is an in-mouth device that users can digitally design and 3D print with integrated sensors and actuators to capture health data and interact with a computer or phone.

Alex Shipps | MIT CSAIL • mit
Oct. 28, 2024 ~7 min

MIT team takes a major step toward fully 3D-printed active electronics

By fabricating semiconductor-free logic gates, which can be used to perform computation, researchers hope to streamline the manufacture of electronics.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
Oct. 15, 2024 ~8 min


New 3D printing technique creates unique objects quickly and with less waste

By using a 3D printer like an iron, researchers can precisely control the color, shade, and texture of fabricated objects, using only one material.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
Oct. 10, 2024 ~7 min

Artificial intelligence meets “blisk” in new DARPA-funded collaboration

Collaborative multi-university team will pursue new AI-enhanced design tools and high-throughput testing methods for next-generation turbomachinery.

Janine Liberty | Anne Wilson | Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics | Department of Mechanical Engineering • mit
Oct. 8, 2024 ~4 min

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