MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE)

Breakerspace Image Contest Runner-up: Best Optical Microscope Image

Graciela Rodriguez’s image of the nib of an Esterbrook J Series fountain pen, produced between 1948 and 1957. The nib slit shows erosion from more than 65 years of exposure to ink and air. Despite the wear, the pen still writes beautifully. View all winners and runners-up: https://buff.ly/i7IYbNZ

Graduation spotlight: DMSE Class of 2026.

DMSE researchers have developed a low-temperature, recyclable method for extracting lithium from hard rock, a material currently concentrated in only a few countries.

Rethinking how lithium is extracted from hard rock - MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering Home News Rethinking how lithium is extracted from hard rock June 5, 2026 Rethinking how lithium is extracted from hard rock Singularity Hub examines work from MIT DMSE researchers on a low-temperature, recyclable chemical approach to extracting lithium from hard rock, a material currently produced....

Campus Preview Weekend brought prospective students to an event that hinted at fall: pumpkin smashing in the Breakerspace. But since pumpkins aren’t in season, DMSE students carved—and mechanically tested—squash instead.

DMSE celebrates the Class of 2026.

Breakerspace Image Contest Runner-up: Best Electron Microscope Image

Leonid Asatryan captured activated charcoal used for medicinal purposes, typically made from plant sources. View all winners and runners-up: https://buff.ly/i7IYbNZ

Meet a DMSE graduate from the Class of 2026.

“The phases in which we are disturbed, which are so difficult to move through, become beautifully vivid in hindsight,” said MIT alum Geoffrey von Maltzahn at the 2026 School of Engineering and Schwarzman College of Computing Advanced Degree Ceremony. “The twinkle in your eyes today was lit by the fire of challenges that became your victories.”

Von Maltzahn is CEO of Lila Sciences, a startup co-founded by DMSE’s Rafael Gómez-Bombarelli.

MIT Celebrates 2026 School of Engineering and Schwarzman College of Computing Advanced Degree Ceremony With 1,343 graduates alongside faculty members and numerous friends and family in attendance, the ceremony featured a speech from Dr. Geoffrey von Maltzahn ’03, PhD ‘10, who received his undergraduate…

DMSE Class of 2026 spotlight.

Professor Aristide Gumyusenge is one of 24 researchers worldwide selected for the 2026 PMSE Early Investigator Award. Winners will be honored during the ACS Fall Meeting in Chicago, where they are invited to present their work.

His recent research includes materials for detectors that monitor toxic gases and polymers that convert biological signals into electronic ones.

Aristide Gumyusenge will receive the 2026 PMSE Early Investigator Award - MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering Home News Aristide Gumyusenge will receive the 2026 PMSE Early Investigator Award Jason Sparapani | May 5, 2026 Aristide Gumyusenge will receive the 2026 PMSE Early Investigator Award American Chemical Society award honors early-career researchers making significant contributions to polymer material...