Research Highlights

Through more than 20 years of cutting-edge research, the ISN has generated a wealth of R&D achievements. Here is a just small sample of advances that may lead to real-world S&T breakthroughs benefitting the US warfighter and possibly the civilian world and marketplace, as well.

Controlling the blinking of quantum dots

Advance may lead to the more widespread adoption of quantum dots.
A syringe adorned with a red ribbon, symbolizing a new nanoparticle adjuvant enhancing vaccine efficacy in mice studies.

Nanoparticle-based vaccine adjuvants

A new nanoparticle-based adjuvant could increase the effectiveness of vaccines.
A computer screen displaying a blue background, illustrating a system for predicting photovoltaic solar cell efficiency.

Speeding the development of new solar cells

A newly developed system may help speed the development of new solar cell designs.
A black tube wrapped in a black wire with the MIT logo on top and a propeller at one end.

Washable, weavable, rechargeable thermally drawn fiber battery

The world's longest flexible fiber battery.
A circle with dots on a blue background next to cartons representing a building, a car, and a cell phone

Breakthrough in 2-D polymerization yields ultra-strong, lightweight material

A novel process that yields two dimensional sheets as strong as steel and as light as plastic. 
Two differently colored squares, demonstrating improved scintillator efficiency via surface modifications as researched at MIT.

Nanoscale modifications yield a 10x enhancement in scintillator efficiency

A remarkable advancement in scintillation could yield a 10x improvement in X-ray imaging.
A cartoon of a bleeding blood vessel

New study on the size-dependent efficacy of hemostatic nanoparticles

The first systematic study of particle size on the efficacy of hemostatic nanoparticles.
Three discs on a blue background

Stabilizing electrode/electrolyte interfaces in solid-state batteries

A method for stabilizing electrode/electrolyte interfaces in solid-state batteries may lead to 2x performance.
An acoustic fiber snakes across a blue and red fabric panel

Acoustic fabrics

A novel acoustic fabric can act as an extremely sensitive microphone or a speaker.
A gif made from a VR imaging movie showing a running cat. The near-eye display has a refresh rate of 60 Hz.

Metasurface lens design for next-generation AR and VR systems

A new approach to the design of metasurface lenses may spur development of advanced augmented reality and virtual reality systems.
An experimental setup on a laser table

Quantum sensors for electromagnetic signals of any frequency

A process allows quantum sensors to detect electromagnetic signals of any frequency.
A hydrogel ultrasound sticker on a patch of human skin

Ultrasound sticker for continuous imaging

A stamp-sized hydrogel-based “sticker” that functions as an ultrasound device could provide continuous imaging for 48 hours.
Diagrams show the two different ways that the atomic structure of zirconia ceramic

Low-hysteresis shape-memory ceramics

A new shape-memory ceramic material that sets the record for low hysteresis.
This image shows a nanomaterial that has been digitized so its structure can be optimized using the researchers' computational technique.

Designing nanomaterials that conduct heat in specified ways

An algorithm and software system that can automatically design a nanoscale material that can conduct heat in a specific manner.
MIT engineers fabricate a forest of “white graphene” nanotubes (shown here patterned as MIT) by burning away a scaffold of black carbon.

Bulk synthesis of hexagonal boron nitride nanotubes

A new synthesis technique may lead to the practical bulk fabrication of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanotubes.
An array of white circles, a multicolored ring, and yellow curves.

Low-cost THz camera is polarization sensitive in real-time

A fast, sensitive, low-cost terahertz camera that operates at room temperature and pressure and can capture information on the polarization of the THz waves in real-time.
A colorful pattern featuring a blue and pink triangle amidst a colorful background.

100x increase in electron-triggered light emission

An innovative method for strengthening interactions between photons and electrons produces a 100-fold increase in light emission from Smith-Purcell radiation. 
An illustration of a blood vessel showing the clotting mechanism at work sealing a hole.

Two-component, systemically injectable hemostat

A two-component, systemically injectable hemostat for the treatment of internal bleeding.
A man stands holding a CMOS wafer stands next to a scientific device.

Growing atomically thin transistors on top of computer chips

A new low-temperature process that allows for the rapid growth of atomically thin semiconductor transistors to be grown directly on top of silicon chips.
A closeup image of a laser setup showing green light zig-zagging through a translucent rectangle

Controlling quantum randomness

A tremendous advance and an essential step toward ultra-precise field sensing and photonic probabilistic computing, an ISN-affiliated MIT team succeeds in manipulating probability distributions of bit strings from truly random to deterministic.
A computer chip featuring a lightning bolt, symbolizing MIT's Lightning smartNIC for high-speed neural network processing.

Hybrid photonic/electronic computing

A photonics-enhanced electronic network interface card (NIC) seamlessly pairs the strengths of photonics and electronics, which may lead to faster, more efficient computing.
The small scale of the newly developed sensor is shown by posing it next to a US quarter dollar coin.

Sensor mimics cell membrane functions

New technology may lead to a sensing platform that could integrate with computers and cell phones to detect difficult-to-diagnose diseases including certain cancers and tumors.
One of several vertical metastructures is interrogated by a simulated laser pulse

Laser setup probes nanoarchitected structures

The new Laser-Induced Resonant Acoustic Spectroscopy (LIRAS) technique can be used to characterize the effects generated when materials are impacted, sheared, or undergo other stresses. The technique could also be used to inspect other types of metamaterials , further extending its utility.