2018-2019-STEAM-Superheroes - Flipbook - Page 51
EPIC IDENTITY FEATURING PROF. LEIA STIRLING
Additional MIT Faculty
There are other MIT faculty who, similarly to Prof. Leia Stirling, create and test wearable technology and
gadgets. They may inspire other avenues of exploration for Epic Identity.
Prof. Dava Newman
A space suit may be the ultimate real-life superhero suit: that helmet and bulky suit immediately establish an
identity as an astronaut, and it makes it possible to exist outside Earth’s boundaries. Prof. Dava Newman
reimagined the space suit to be skin-tight and allows the astronaut to move more freely on Mars, for instance.
• “Shrink-wrapping spacesuits: Spacesuits of the future may resemble a streamlined second
skin.” (MIT News) http://news.mit.edu/2014/second-skin-spacesuits-0918
• “Dava Newman confirmed as NASA deputy administrator: MIT aerospace and systems
engineer will assume agency’s No. 2 post upon President Obama’s signing.” (MIT News)
http://news.mit.edu/2015/dava-newman-confirmed-nasa-deputy-administrator-0428
• “Lessons in NASA leadership: Johnson Space Center Director Ellen Ochoa and AeroAstro
Professor Dava Newman share experiences as leaders of the U.S. space program.” (MIT
News) http://news.mit.edu/2018/lessons-in-nasa-leadership-ellen-ochoa-dava-newman-0405
• Prof. Dava Newman’s webpage: http://web.mit.edu/aeroastro/www/people/dnewman/bio.html
Prof. Yoel Fink
Prof. Yoel Fink has been quoted saying “fabric is the new software.” He develops “functional fibers” that have
sensors and other technologies built right into the thread, which can then be easily incorporated into
garments, backpacks, and other textiles. An example of a project his group is working on is a scarf that is
also a battery; the thread has lithium-ion components knitted right in. Future clothing pioneered by his group
might change color, so that your wardrobe can reflect your style and your individuality.
• fibers@mit, Prof. Fink’s website: http://www.rle.mit.edu/pbg/
• Advanced Functional Fabrics of America website: http://go.affoa.org/
• MIT lab shows off smart threads that can send messages, change color (Boston Globe)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/06/19/mit-lab-shows-off-smart-threads-that-cansend-messages-change-color/Kf8S15GtAWuZEc7TXprVkM/story.html
• The Future Is Knit: Why the Ancient Art of Knitting Is High-Tech Again (Gizmodo) https://
gizmodo.com/the-future-is-knit-why-the-ancient-art-of-knitting-is-1826142294
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