What Are Some Of The Biggest Energy Breakthroughs To Come Out Of MIT?

Read about some of the most significant developments in renewable energy from MIT in the last ten years—and what could be on the horizon.

With worldwide efforts being made to curb greenhouse gas emissions, tackling the climate crisis is a top priority for researchers working on low-carbon solutions. Every day at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA, students and professors across disciplines work together to advance these goals—testing alternative fuels, modeling renewable energy markets, and experimenting with new forms of energy storage.

“We are in the midst of a reinvention of how we make energy and how we use energy,” says Susan Hockfield, founder of the MIT Energy Initiative. “And we will develop sustainable energy practices for a larger population, a wealthier population, and a healthier planet.”

We asked MITEI Director Robert C. Armstrong to share his thoughts on some of the most significant research impacts the MIT energy community has made over the last 10 years, and what he finds most exciting for the future. Here are the biggest renewable energy developments to come out of MIT over the last decade – and what’s coming for the next.

Looking Back...

Flexible, thin-film solar photovoltaics that can be printed on nearly any surface.

Joel Jean and Anna Osherov / Via news.mit.edu

The cells are so thin and lightweight that researchers were able to place a working cell on top of a soap bubble—without popping the bubble. Developed by Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Vladimir Bulović and colleagues.

Khethworks, a spinoff from the Tata Center for Technology and Design that is working on affordable solar-powered irrigation for the developing world—allowing customers to farm year-round.

Tata Center for Technology and Design / Via tatacenter.mit.edu

Co-founded by Katherine Taylor SM '15, Victor Lesniewski, and PhD student Kevin Simon SM' 15.

A solar-powered electrodialysis desalination system, which will provide clean drinking water to rural, off-grid villages in India.

John Freidah/MIT / Via news.mit.edu

Above, teachers from a local school in Mhasawad, India meet with PhD student Natasha Wright SM ’14 to discuss their concerns about the effects of the town's brackish water on students' health. Desalination system developed at the Tata Center by PhD candidate Natasha Wright and Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Amos Winter.

Energy storage technologies like 24M, Baseload Renewables, Ambri, and Fast CAP Systems, based on groundbreaking technologies.

MIT Technology Review / Via technologyreview.com

The founding team of Baseload Renewables, including chief scientist Yet-Ming Chiang (second from right). Companies founded by Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Yet-Ming Chiang, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Donald Sadoway, and Riccardo Signorelli PhD ‘09 with Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Joel Schindall, respectively.

Keystone Tower Systems, a company making larger and more efficient wind towers by creating turbine towers on location.

Keystone Tower Systems / Via news.mit.edu

The turbines are constructed using Keystone Tower System's spiral tapered welding process. Co-founded by Eric Smith ‘01, SM ‘07, Rosalind Takata ‘00, SM ‘06, and Professor of Mechanical Engineering Alexander Slocum.

LiquiGlide and Dropwise, two start-ups based on Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Kripa Varanasi's research on engineering super-slippery surfaces.

MIT / Via youtube.com

LiquiGlide eliminates waste from consumer products like ketchup bottles (you can squeeze out every last drop!), while Dropwise develops coatings to improve the efficiency of power plants and industrial machinery. Co-founded with Associate Provost Karen Gleason.

The tokamak fusion research reactor, which set a record for plasma pressure and paves the way for future nuclear fusion reactors.

Bob Mumgaard/Plasma Science and Fusion Center / Via news.mit.edu

The fusion experiment Alcator C-Mod recently broke the record for plasma pressure in a magnetic fusion device. The device uses high-intensity magnetic fields to confine plasma hotter than the interior of the sun. Postdoc Ted Golfinopoulos, pictured, performs maintenance between plasma campaigns. Developed at MIT.

Multidisciplinary studies like "The Future of Solar Energy" and "Utility of the Future."

Francesca McCaffrey/MITEI / Via energy.mit.edu

These reports take a comprehensive, system-level approach to energy challenges—making recommendations for policymakers, regulators, and industry. Pictured, student researchers who contributed to "Utility of the Future" discuss the report's findings in Washington, D.C.

Looking Ahead...

Next-generation solar technologies that lower manufacturing and system integration costs.

Pixabay / Via pixabay.com

Long-term energy storage technologies to enable large-scale wind and solar deployment.

Pixabay / Via pexels.com

Design and implementation of more robust electric grids for developing and developed nations.

Pok Rie / Via pexels.com

Progress will be aided by analysis and outreach to encourage innovative policies, regulations, and business models.

Energy- and climate-conscious urban planning to reduce the energy needs of new cities and neighborhoods, helping to combat climate change and increase resilience while making communities more livable.

Pexels / Via pexels.com

Developments range from less carbon-intensive concrete to renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Research into how transportation will evolve with developments in technology, fuel, infrastructure, policy, and consumer preference.

Via energy.mit.edu

The future of transportation is currently being examined in MITEI's “Mobility of the Future” study, expected to be published in 2019.

New approaches to fusion that are beginning to materialize, such as the small-scale reactor currently being designed at MIT.

MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center / Via news.mit.edu

Nuclear fusion has the potential to produce nearly unlimited supplies of clean, safe, carbon-free energy. Pictured, Alcator C-Mod is a small scale reactor developed at MIT that has broken records, and even smaller reactors are currently being experimented on.

Advanced nanoscale materials engineered for high performance in devices.

Stuart Darsch / Via energy.mit.edu

For example, quantum dot materials for solar photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes, and thermoelectric systems; and carbon nanotube electrodes for capacitors, batteries, and water desalination systems. Professor Evelyn Wang (left) and Heena Mutha PhD '17 have developed a way to quantify the characteristics of carbon nanotube samples, allowing optimization of these materials for a variety of practical applications.

Student and alumni research, technology, and policy development.

Justin Knight / Via energy.mit.edu

"While we may not even know yet where our current or future students’ research will take them, or what our alumni may achieve in industry, government, or academic roles," Armstrong says, "I am confident that we're preparing future innovators to meet energy and climate challenges."