Why homes often feel warmer than the thermostat suggests – and what to do about it

Thermostats don’t tell the whole truth about heat, particularly in older homes.

Jonathan Bean, Associate Professor of Architecture, Sustainable Built Environments and Marketing, University of Arizona • conversation
Aug. 2, 2023 ~10 min

MIT engineers create an energy-storing supercapacitor from ancient materials

Made of cement, carbon black, and water, the device could provide cheap and scalable energy storage for renewable energy sources.

David L. Chandler | MIT News • mit
July 31, 2023 ~10 min


Empty office spaces can be converted to residential buildings – but it won't be affordable

With many employers switching to remote work, two engineering experts explain the feasibility of converting office buildings to residential spaces.

Leah Mo, Assistant Professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University • conversation
July 14, 2023 ~9 min

Dog detectives can sniff out protected great crested newts and reduce costly construction delays

Great crested newts cause expensive delays to construction – trained sniffer dogs may offer a solution.

Nikki Glover, PhD Candidate in Environmental Biology, University of Salford • conversation
June 26, 2023 ~6 min

House of moveable wooden walls promising cheaper, greener alternative to ‘knocking through’, wins award

Cambridge architects have won a public choice award at the London Design Biennale for a prototype home constructed with flexible wooden partition walls which

Cambridge University News • cambridge
June 22, 2023 ~4 min

The materials used by humans now weigh more than all life on Earth – here's four graphs that reveal our staggering impact on the planet

Four graphs that show us how humanity’s impact on the planet is growing.

Nick King, Visiting Researcher, Anglia Ruskin University • conversation
June 12, 2023 ~8 min

House of moveable wooden walls unveiled, promising a cheaper, greener alternative to ‘knocking through’

Cambridge architects are inviting visitors to the London Design Biennale to experience a prototype home constructed with flexible wooden partition walls which

Cambridge University News • cambridge
June 1, 2023 ~4 min

New additives could turn concrete into an effective carbon sink

MIT engineers discover new carbonation pathways for creating more environmentally friendly concrete.

David L. Chandler | MIT News Office • mit
March 28, 2023 ~6 min


Integrating humans with AI in structural design

A process that seeks feedback from human specialists proves more effective at optimization than automated systems working alone.

David L. Chandler | MIT News Office • mit
March 2, 2023 ~7 min

Study: Carbon-neutral pavements are possible by 2050, but rapid policy and industry action are needed

Analyses show stakeholders of all levels must get involved in decarbonizing pavements to reach climate goals.

Andrew Paul Laurent | MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub • mit
Feb. 21, 2023 ~7 min

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