Mark Vogelsberger wins 2020 Buchalter Cosmology Prize for simulating a “fuzzy” universe
Associate professor of physics shares the honor with colleague Phillip Mocz for their novel dark matter research.
Jan. 14, 2021 • ~3 min
physics astrophysics astronomy dark-matter research awards-honors-and-fellowships school-of-science faculty computer-modeling kavli-institute space-astronomy-and-planetary-science galaxy-formation
RNA molecules are masters of their own destiny
Research suggests the products of transcription — RNA molecules — regulate their own production through a feedback loop.
Jan. 5, 2021 • ~8 min
physics chemistry genetics biology rna research drug-development school-of-engineering school-of-science whitehead-institute chemical-engineering
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
Ultracold atoms reveal a new type of quantum magnetic behavior
The findings may help researchers design “spintronic” devices and novel magnetic materials.
Dec. 16, 2020 • ~8 min
physics photonics quantum-computing light research school-of-science research-laboratory-of-electronics national-science-foundation-nsf materials-research-laboratory
New type of atomic clock keeps time even more precisely
The design, which uses entangled atoms, could help scientists detect dark matter and study gravity’s effect on time.
Dec. 16, 2020 • ~7 min
physics photonics quantum-mechanics light research school-of-science research-laboratory-of-electronics national-science-foundation-nsf defense-advanced-research-projects-agency-darpa
A cool advance in thermoelectric conversion
A quantum effect in topological semimetals demonstrated by MIT researchers could allow for the utilization of an untapped energy source.
Dec. 11, 2020 • ~7 min
physics semiconductors electronics quantum-mechanics research school-of-engineering school-of-science materials-science-and-engineering nuclear-science-and-engineering department-of-energy-doe thermoelectricity
A technique to sift out the universe’s first gravitational waves
Identifying primordial ripples would be key to understanding the conditions of the early universe.
Dec. 9, 2020 • ~8 min
physics astrophysics research black-holes school-of-science kavli-institute space-astronomy-and-planetary-science ligo
Physicists capture the sound of a “perfect” fluid
The results should help scientists study the viscosity in neutron stars, the plasma of the early universe, and other strongly interacting fluids.
Dec. 3, 2020 • ~8 min
physics photonics light research school-of-science research-laboratory-of-electronics national-science-foundation-nsf
Pulling the secrets of dark matter out of a hat
Grad student Chiara Salemi and Professor Lindley Winslow use the ABRACADABRA instrument to reveal insights into dark matter.
Dec. 2, 2020 • ~9 min
physics astrophysics dark-matter profile research students graduate-postdoctoral school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf laboratory-for-nuclear-science space-astronomy-and-planetary-science department-of-energy-doe center-for-theoretical-physics
An escape route for seafloor methane
Leakage from frozen layers was a puzzle, but a new study shows how the potent greenhouse gas breaks through icy barriers.
Nov. 30, 2020 • ~8 min
physics climate research mechanical-engineering school-of-engineering school-of-science alumniae civil-and-environmental-engineering oceanography-and-ocean-engineering eaps department-of-energy-doe fluid-dynamics
/
49