Tag: Photonics

  • MIT Biological Engineering: Breakthroughs in Stem Cells, Cancer Nanomedicine, and Photonic Devices

    MIT Biological Engineering: Breakthroughs in Stem Cells, Cancer Nanomedicine, and Photonic Devices

    MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering continues to drive innovation across multiple fields, from stem cell research and cancer detection to advanced medical imaging and protein engineering. Here is a roundup of recent developments highlighted in MIT News.

    Advancing Stem Cell Research

    Biology PhD student Giselle Valdes is studying stem cell regeneration while inspiring the next generation of researchers. Her work focuses on understanding how stem cells can be harnessed for therapeutic applications.

    Brighter MRI Signals

    MIT researchers have developed new MRI sensors that sensitively detect target molecules in the brain and body. This breakthrough could lead to improved diagnostic imaging for neurological conditions.

    Fulbright Awards

    Eleven members of the MIT community have accepted 2026 Fulbright awards. Over half of MIT’s Fulbright applicants won awards this year, with recipients embarking on research and teaching projects abroad.

    Cancer Nanomedicine

    The MIT Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine celebrates a decade of transforming nanotechnology concepts into advances for cancer patients, achieving significant progress in detection and treatment.

    Plastic Waste Solutions

    Akorfa Dagadu, a senior in chemical engineering, highlights the importance of community-engaged research through the PKG Center for Social Impact, addressing plastic waste from a systems perspective.

    Photonic Devices

    MIT researchers created tiny 3D photonic devices with features small enough to channel visible light, potentially enabling devices that compute using light instead of electricity.

    Faculty Awards

    MIT School of Engineering faculty received multiple awards in winter 2026, recognizing their scholarship, service, and excellence.

    Chromatin and Gene Expression

    By monitoring chromosomal structures over various timescales, researchers discovered that chromatin helps bring genes closer to their regulatory elements, controlling gene expression.

    Molecular Markers of Fitness

    A new study reveals cellular pathways that underlie differences in physical fitness, mapping molecular markers that could inform exercise science.

    Pencil Beam Laser

    A self-organizing ‘pencil beam’ laser offers faster, more precise biomedical imaging, helping scientists design brain-targeted therapies.

    Goldwater Scholars

    Rising seniors Deeksha Kumaresh, Anna Liu, and Charlotte Myers were named 2026 Goldwater Scholars for their academic achievements.

    Gates Cambridge Scholars

    Two MIT alumnae, Mitali Chowdhury and Christina Kim, both class of 2024, will pursue graduate studies at Cambridge University as 2026 Gates Cambridge Scholars.

    AI-Driven Protein Design

    OpenProtein.AI, founded by Tristan Bepler PhD ’20 and former MIT professor Tim Lu PhD ’07, offers open-source models for protein engineering, democratizing access to AI tools.

    Youth and Carcinogen Vulnerability

    A new study suggests that the chemical NDMA is more likely to cause cancerous mutations after exposure early in life, highlighting the vulnerability of youth.

    MIT Rankings

    MIT’s graduate engineering program is ranked No. 1 in the nation by U.S. News for 2026-27, with MIT Sloan ranked No. 6.

    For more details on each story, follow the links to MIT News.

  • 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.