Researchers have developed a new class of nontoxic, biodegradable solid lubricants that can be used to facilitate seed dispersal using modern farming equipment, with the goal of replacing existing lubricants that pose human and environmental toxicity concerns.

MIT scientists developed a method to predict how plasma in a tokamak fusion machine will behave during a rampdown, when the reactor’s plasma current is shut off. The research could improve the safety and reliability of future fusion power plants. 

Artificial intelligence can solve problems at remarkable speed, but it’s the people developing the algorithms who are truly driving discovery. At The University of Texas at Arlington, data scientists are creating sophisticated formulas that enable AI to interpret massive biological datasets to uncover how diseases start, how the immune system responds, and what treatments might work best.

MIT engineers have developed a recipe for a printable aluminum alloy that can withstand high temperatures and is five times stronger than traditionally manufactured aluminum. 

For years, researchers have puzzled over how the ancient people of Rapa Nui did the seemingly impossible and moved their iconic moai statues. Using a combination of physics, 3D modeling and on-the-ground experiments, a team including faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York, has confirmed that the statues actually walked – with a little rope and remarkably few people.

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) recently presented Lauren Stadler, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University, with the 2025 Paul L. Busch Award at the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference in Chicago. With this $100,000 research prize, Stadler plans to advance wastewater monitoring through the investigation of real-time biosensors that utilize synthetic biology.

A new research study led by Prahalada Rao shows that additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence promise more precision and less waste for much-needed submarine and aircraft components.