Hopping gives this tiny robot a leg up

MIT engineers developed an insect-sized jumping robot that can traverse challenging terrains and carry heavy payloads.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
April 9, 2025 ~8 min

Artificial muscle flexes in multiple directions, offering a path to soft, wiggly robots

MIT engineers developed a way to grow artificial tissues that look and act like their natural counterparts.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
March 17, 2025 ~9 min


A protein from tiny tardigrades may help cancer patients tolerate radiation therapy

When scientists stimulated cells to produce a protein that helps “water bears” survive extreme environments, the tissue showed much less DNA damage after radiation treatment.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Feb. 26, 2025 ~8 min

Engineers turn the body’s goo into new glue

They combined a blend of slimy and sticky proteins to produce a fast-acting, bacteria-blocking, waterproof adhesive for use in biomedical applications.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Feb. 17, 2025 ~7 min

This fast and agile robotic insect could someday aid in mechanical pollination

With a new design, the bug-sized bot was able to fly 100 times longer than prior versions.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
Jan. 15, 2025 ~8 min

Need a research hypothesis? Ask AI.

MIT engineers developed AI frameworks to identify evidence-driven hypotheses that could advance biologically inspired materials.

Zach Winn | MIT News • mit
Dec. 19, 2024 ~10 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 bioinspired capsule can pump drugs directly into the walls of the GI tract

The needle-free device could be used to deliver insulin, antibodies, RNA, or other large molecules.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Nov. 20, 2024 ~7 min


What happens during the first moments of butterfly scale formation

New findings could help engineers design materials for light and heat management.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
June 26, 2024 ~8 min

Robotic palm mimics human touch

MIT CSAIL researchers enhance robotic precision with sophisticated tactile sensors in the palm and agile fingers, setting the stage for improvements in human-robot interaction and prosthetic technology.

Rachel Gordon | MIT CSAIL • mit
May 20, 2024 ~6 min

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