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MIT engineers create 2D polymer that self-assembles into sheets

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Using a novel polymerization process, MIT chemical engineers have created a new two-dimensional polymer that self-assembles into sheets, unlike all other polymers which form one-dimensional chains. Until now, scientists had believed it was impossible to induce polymers to form 2D sheets. —Michael Strano.

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MIT researchers propose mechanism for overcoming bottleneck in electroreduction of CO2

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Researchers at MIT have identified , quantified, and modeled a major reason for the poor performance of electroreduction processes to convert CO 2 to fuel or other useful chemicals. The findings could spur progress on developing a variety of materials and designs for electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion systems. —Soto et al.

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Study finds the wettability of porous electrode surfaces is key to making efficient water-splitting or carbon-capturing systems

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Now, a study at MIT has for the first time analyzed and quantified how bubbles form on these porous electrodes. The work is described in the journal Joule , in a paper by MIT visiting scholar Ryuichi Iwata, graduate student Lenan Zhang, professors Evelyn Wang and Betar Gallant, and three others. —Beta Gallant.

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MIT researchers modify soil bacterium for biosynthesis of isobutanol using carbon

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Researchers at MIT have modified the soil bacterium Ralstonia eutropha to produce isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol (branched-chain higher alcohols). What it does is take whatever carbon is available, and stores it in the form of a polymer, which is similar in its properties to a lot of petroleum-based plastics. Earlier post.)

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MIT team devises approaches for practical carbon-nanotube-coated carbon fiber; stronger, more electrically conductive

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MIT scientists demonstrated two approaches for growing CNTs on carbon fiber without degrading the fiber strength. Researchers at MIT have demonstrated two approaches for producing carbon fibers coated in carbon nanotubes without degrading the underlying fiber’s strength. Credit: ACS, Steiner et al.

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MIT teams receiving $10M from TRI for next-gen battery materials

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Three MIT-affiliated research teams will receive about $10M in funding as part of a $35M materials science discovery program launched by the Toyota Research Institute (TRI). Provided over four years, the support to MIT researchers will be primarily directed at scientific discoveries and advancing energy storage. Earlier post.)

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MIT Energy Initiative announces 2014 seed grant awards

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The MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) announced its latest round of seed grants to support early-stage innovative energy projects. These novel materials will unite the well-controlled physical properties of polymers with the promising functional properties of metal-facilitated self-assembly. A total of more than $1.6

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