Concept for a hybrid-electric plane may reduce aviation’s air pollution problem
Proposed design could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 percent, a new study finds.
Jan. 14, 2021 • ~7 min
sustainability environment aircraft pollution greenhouse-gases emissions research automobiles school-of-engineering aeronautical-and-astronautical-engineering
Scientists discover slimy microbes that may help keep coral reefs healthy
The bacteria scrub out nitrogen, potentially defending against certain nutrient overloads.
Jan. 8, 2021 • ~7 min
chemistry environment bacteria biology microbes research school-of-science oceanography-and-ocean-engineering eaps ocean-science
Aerosols from pollution, desert storms, and forest fires may intensify thunderstorms
Researchers identify a mechanism by which small particles in the atmosphere can generate more frequent thunderstorms.
Dec. 31, 2020 • ~7 min
physics environment climate pollution emissions research weather school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf eaps earth-and-atmospheric-sciences
SMART researchers engineer a plant-based sensor to monitor arsenic levels in soil
Nanoscale devices integrated into the leaves of living plants can detect the toxic heavy metal in real time.
Dec. 13, 2020 • ~9 min
environment agriculture food plants research sensors school-of-engineering nanoscience-and-nanotechnology chemical-engineering singapore-mit-alliance-for-research-and-technology-smart
Powering through the coming energy transition
Carbon capture and storage are key to achieving climate goals.
Nov. 18, 2020 • ~6 min
climate-change energy environment pollution policy carbon-dioxide greenhouse-gases emissions research mit-energy-initiative joint-program-on-the-science-and-policy-of-global-change
Technique reveals deeper insights into the makeup of nacre, a natural material
Discovery could lead to new designs for improved and more sustainable materials inspired by nature.
Oct. 30, 2020 • ~5 min
environment nature research school-of-engineering civil-and-environmental-engineering materials-science-and-engineering bioinspiration
Saudi Arabia faces increased heat, humidity, precipitation extremes by mid-century
High-resolution climate projections could enable a robust adaptation and resilience response.
Oct. 29, 2020 • ~4 min
climate-change environment global-warming research modeling school-of-science global eaps joint-program-on-the-science-and-policy-of-global-change middle-east
A controllable membrane to pull carbon dioxide out of exhaust streams
Electrically switchable system could continuously separate gases without the need for moving parts or wasted space.
Oct. 16, 2020 • ~5 min
sustainability climate-change energy environment carbon greenhouse-gases emissions research school-of-engineering mit-energy-initiative-mitei chemical-engineering
Antarctic sea ice may not cap carbon emissions as much as previously thought
Study suggests sea ice blocks the flow of carbon both into and out of the ocean, in roughly equal measure.
Oct. 1, 2020 • ~6 min
climate-change environment climate carbon carbon-dioxide microbes research school-of-engineering school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf civil-and-environmental-engineering computer-modeling eaps ocean-science earth-and-atmospheric-sciences
MIT researchers highlight the impacts of logjams in river restoration projects
New analysis can help scientists and engineers better assess flood risk and habitat creation associated with restoration efforts.
Sept. 25, 2020 • ~3 min
climate-change environment research school-of-engineering civil-and-environmental-engineering
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