Category: 3D Technology

  • Additive Manufacturing: MIT Research and Innovations in 3D Printing

    Additive Manufacturing: MIT Research and Innovations in 3D Printing

    Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is revolutionizing production across industries. MIT researchers are at the forefront of developing new techniques, materials, and applications for additive manufacturing, from drug-delivery microparticles to fully 3D-printed electronics and rocket components.

  • MIT Accounting Research: Insights into Investor Behavior, Corporate Disclosures, and Global Rankings

    MIT Accounting Research: Insights into Investor Behavior, Corporate Disclosures, and Global Rankings

    Inspiring Student Growth

    Professors Xiao Wang and Rodrigo Verdi have been honored as “Committed to Caring” for their dedication to student development. June 30, 2025

    Playing a New Tune

    After stepping away from a family bagpiping tradition, Andrew Sutherland forged a new path as an innovative business scholar, making notable contributions to accounting research. September 24, 2024

    MIT Tops QS World University Rankings for 2021-22

    For the 10th consecutive year, MIT has been ranked the world’s No. 1 university, also placing first in 12 subject areas. June 8, 2021

    QS World University Rankings: MIT No. 1 in 12 Subjects for 2021

    The Institute ranked second in four additional subject areas. March 3, 2021

    MIT Named World’s Top University for 2020-21

    Securing the No. 1 spot for the ninth straight year, MIT also led in 12 subject areas. June 9, 2020

    QS World University Rankings: MIT No. 1 in 12 Subjects for 2020

    The Institute ranked second in five subject areas. March 3, 2020

    MIT Tops Global University Rankings for 2019-20

    For the eighth consecutive year, MIT was ranked first overall and led in 11 of 48 disciplines. June 18, 2019

    QS World University Rankings: MIT No. 1 in 11 Subjects for 2019

    The Institute placed within the top two in 17 of 48 subject areas. February 26, 2019

    MIT Professor Uncovers Secrets to Better Investing

    MIT Sloan’s Eric So sheds new light on investor behavior and stock market dynamics. December 17, 2018

    Why Private Firms’ Accounting Disclosures Help the Economy Grow

    MIT’s Nemit Shroff studies how corporate accounting information enables managers to make better business decisions. November 3, 2018

    MIT Ranks No. 1 Globally for 2018-19

    For the seventh year in a row, MIT was named the world’s top university, leading in 12 of 48 disciplines. June 6, 2018

    MIT No. 1 in 12 Subjects in 2018 QS Rankings

    MIT ranked within the top five in 19 out of 48 subject areas. February 28, 2018

    Work Continues Toward a More Diverse, Inclusive MIT

    Many recommendations from black students made in 2015 have been implemented, and departmental discussions continue. February 7, 2018

    MIT Tops QS World University Rankings for 2017-18

    For the sixth straight year, MIT was ranked No. 1 overall and first in 12 of 46 disciplines. June 8, 2017

    MIT No. 1 in 12 Subjects in 2017 QS Rankings

    The Institute ranked within the top five for 19 of 46 subject areas. March 8, 2017

  • MIT’s Latest 3D Printing Breakthroughs: From Recycled Plastic Homes to Drug-Delivery Microparticles

    MIT’s Latest 3D Printing Breakthroughs: From Recycled Plastic Homes to Drug-Delivery Microparticles

    MIT researchers continue to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing with a series of groundbreaking innovations in 3D printing. From construction-grade trusses made from recycled plastic to microscopic magnetic robots, these developments promise to transform industries ranging from healthcare to architecture.

    Key Innovations

    Sustainable Construction

    MIT engineers have developed a method to 3D print floor trusses using recycled plastic, potentially revolutionizing home construction by reducing waste and material costs. This approach could make housing more affordable and environmentally friendly.

    Medical Breakthroughs

    A new 3D-printed device streamlines the production of drug-delivery microparticles, enabling efficient creation of three-layered particles at scale. Additionally, the MagMix magnetic mixer improves 3D bioprinting for scalable tissue manufacturing.

    Advanced Materials

    Researchers have created 3D-printed metamaterials that can be designed to stretch and fail in predictable ways, opening doors for printable textiles and functional foams. The PhysiOpt system combines generative AI with physics simulations to ensure 3D-printed personal items are durable for real-world use.

    Microscopic Robotics

    A new fabrication technique produces soft, microscopic structures with magnetically activated moving parts, enabling complex maneuvers at the microscale.

    Impact and Applications

    These innovations demonstrate MIT’s commitment to solving real-world challenges through 3D printing technology. From reducing construction waste to improving medical treatments, the potential applications are vast and transformative.

  • Latest Advances in 3D Imaging: From Brain Mapping to Tactile Models

    Latest Advances in 3D Imaging: From Brain Mapping to Tactile Models

    MIT News has published a series of groundbreaking articles on 3D imaging, covering innovations that range from whole-brain mapping to tactile 3D models. Researchers at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and other MIT labs are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with three-dimensional visualization and printing.

    TactStyle: 3D Modeling You Can Feel

    Developed by CSAIL researchers, TactStyle uses image prompts to replicate both the visual appearance and tactile properties of 3D models. This system allows users to not only see a 3D object but also feel its texture, opening new possibilities for virtual reality and product design.

    Thermochromorph: Images That Transform Through Heat

    The Thermochromorph printmaking technique allows images to transition into each other through changes in temperature. This innovation, also from CSAIL, uses heat-sensitive materials to create dynamic prints that shift appearance based on environmental conditions.

    3D Imaging of Whole Human Brain Hemispheres

    Three innovations by an MIT-based team enable high-resolution, high-throughput imaging of human brain tissue at a full range of scales. This technology maps connectivity of neurons at single-cell resolution, providing unprecedented insights into brain structure and function.

    New Sensor Uses MRI to Detect Light Deep in the Brain

    Researchers have developed a sensor that uses MRI to detect light deep within the brain. This approach allows scientists to map how light spreads in opaque environments, with potential applications in optogenetics and brain imaging.

    Better Nasal Swab for COVID-19 Testing

    MIT spinout OPT Industries uses novel additive manufacturing systems to create intricately-designed nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing. The company’s 3D-printed swabs offer improved efficiency and comfort.

    Live Imaging of Brain Function

    A new live imaging method brings structure to mapping brain function. Scientists can now distinguish brain regions based on their activity and overlay information about their structural organization.

    Objects That Change Color Like a Chameleon

    CSAIL’s new reprogrammable ink uses light to change the color of objects. This technology mimics the color-changing abilities of chameleons, with potential applications in adaptive camouflage and dynamic displays.

    Creating 3D Images with Regular Ink

    MIT startup Lumii helps manufacturers replicate the visual effects of holograms on printed materials using standard ink. This innovation makes 3D imaging accessible for everyday products like packaging and security features.

    RePaint: Reproducing Paintings with Deep Learning and 3D Printing

    CSAIL’s RePaint system uses deep learning and 3D printing to faithfully recreate famous paintings. The system captures the texture and depth of original artworks, producing faithful reproductions.

    Glasses-Free 3D Movies at Home

    A CSAIL system converts 3D movies into a format that can be viewed without specialized glasses. This technology could bring immersive 3D entertainment to living rooms worldwide.

    Larger Scale Glasses-Free 3D Displays

    A prototype display enables viewers to watch 3D movies without glasses from any seat in a theater. This system uses a novel screen design to create a wide viewing zone.

    Fab By Example: Custom Designs at Your Fingertips

    CSAIL’s Fab By Example lets users quickly create thousands of custom designs for furniture, go-carts, and more. The system simplifies the design process, making 3D modeling accessible to non-experts.

    Illuminating Neuron Activity in 3D

    A new technique allows scientists to monitor the entire nervous system of a small worm in 3D. This method provides a comprehensive view of neural activity, advancing understanding of basic neural circuits.

    The Physics of Curly Hair

    Researchers developed the first detailed model for a 3D strand of curly hair. Understanding the physics behind hair curl could lead to new products in cosmetics and materials science.

    3D Scanning with Your Smartphone

    Startup Viztu Technologies developed commercial software that generated 3D models from 2D photos, before selling to a tech giant. This technology demonstrated the potential of smartphone-based 3D scanning.

  • MIT’s Latest Breakthroughs in 3D Technology: Augmented Reality, Bioprinting, and Holography

    MIT’s Latest Breakthroughs in 3D Technology: Augmented Reality, Bioprinting, and Holography

    MIT continues to push the boundaries of three-dimensional technology across multiple disciplines. From medical imaging to advanced manufacturing and computer vision, researchers at the institute are developing solutions that transform how we interact with the physical and digital worlds. Below is a curated overview of recent innovations in 3D technology from MIT labs.

    Medical and Health Applications

    An augmented reality system developed at MIT makes medical ultrasounds easier to interpret by generating a real-time 3D representation of the imaged object. Another project leverages machine learning to model fetal shape and movements in 3D, aiding doctors in detecting abnormalities. In bioprinting, the MagMix magnetic mixer enables scalable 3D printing of tissues, and a deep-learning model predicts cellular formation in fruit flies, potentially applicable to human tissues.

    Photonics and Manufacturing

    MIT engineers created tiny 3D photonic devices with features small enough to channel visible light, using a powerful shrinking technique. A new chip tests cooling solutions for stacked microelectronics, addressing overheating in 3D integrated circuits. Additionally, an AI agent called VideoCAD learns to create 3D objects from sketches, boosting design productivity.

    Robotics and Simulation

    PhysicsGen, a simulation-based pipeline, tailors training data for dexterous robots to handle items in homes and factories. A method for predicting forces needed to push objects through granular material can help drive robots or anchor ships. Smart textiles sense wearer activities like walking and running through fabric-embedded sensors.

    Computer Vision and Display Technology

    A new computer vision technique enhances 3D understanding from 2D images. Tensor holography uses artificial intelligence to generate 3D holograms in real-time, even on a smartphone, benefiting virtual reality and medical imaging. SeaSplat, a color-correcting tool, removes the effect of water in underwater scenes for more realistic 3D imagery.

    For the full collection of MIT news on 3-D, visit the original topic page.