Transistors, the building blocks of modern electronics, are typically made of silicon. Because it’s a semiconductor, this material can control the flow of electricity in a circuit. But silicon has fundamental physical limits that restrict how compact and energy-efficient a transistor can be.

MIT researchers have now replaced silicon with a magnetic semiconductor, creating a magnetic transistor that could enable smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient circuits. The material’s magnetism strongly influences its electronic behavior, leading to more efficient control of the flow of electricity. 

The team used a novel magnetic material and an optimization process that reduces the material’s defects, which boosts the transistor’s performance.

The material’s unique magnetic properties also allow for transistors with built-in memory, which would simplify circuit design and unlock new applications for high-performance electronics.

“People have known about magnets for thousands of years, but there are very limited ways to incorporate magnetism into electronics. We have shown a new way to efficiently utilize magnetism that opens up a lot of possibilities for future applications and research,” says Chung-Tao Chou, an MIT graduate student in the departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and Physics, and co-lead author of a paper on this advance.

Chou is joined on the paper by co-lead author Eugene Park, a graduate student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE); Julian Klein, a DMSE research scientist; Josep Ingla-Aynes, a postdoc in the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center; Jagadeesh S. Moodera, a senior research scientist in the Department of Physics; and senior authors Frances Ross, TDK Professor in DMSE; and Luqiao Liu, an associate professor in EECS, and a member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics; as well as others at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague. The paper appears today in Physical Review Letters.

Overcoming the limits

In an electronic device, silicon semiconductor transistors act like tiny light switches that turn a circuit on and off, or amplify weak signals in a communication system. They do this using a small input voltage.

But a fundamental physical limit of silicon semiconductors prevents a transistor from operating below a certain voltage, which hinders its energy efficiency.

To make more efficient electronics, researchers have spent decades working toward magnetic transistors that utilize electron spin to control the flow of electricity. Electron spin is a fundamental property that enables electrons to behave like tiny magnets.

So far, scientists have mostly been limited to using certain magnetic materials. These lack the favorable electronic properties of semiconductors, constraining device performance.

“In this work, we combine magnetism and semiconductor physics to realize useful spintronic devices,” Liu says.

The researchers replace the silicon in the surface layer of a transistor with chromium sulfur bromide, a two-dimensional material that acts as a magnetic semiconductor.

Due to the material’s structure, researchers can switch between two magnetic states very cleanly. This makes it ideal for use in a transistor that smoothly switches between “on” and “off.”

“One of the biggest challenges we faced was finding the right material. We tried many other materials that didn’t work,” Chou says.

They discovered that changing these magnetic states modifies the material’s electronic properties, enabling low-energy operation. And unlike many other 2D materials, chromium sulfur bromide remains stable in air.

To make a transistor, the researchers pattern electrodes onto a silicon substrate, then carefully align and transfer the 2D material on top. They use tape to pick up a tiny piece of material, only a few tens of nanometers thick, and place it onto the substrate.

“A lot of researchers will use solvents or glue to do the transfer, but transistors require a very clean surface. We eliminate all those risks by simplifying this step,” Chou says.

Leveraging magnetism

This lack of contamination enables their device to outperform existing magnetic transistors. Most others can only create a weak magnetic effect, changing the flow of current by a few percent or less. Their new transistor can switch or amplify the electric current by a factor of 10.

They use an external magnetic field to change the magnetic state of the material, switching the transistor using significantly less energy than would usually be required.

The material also allows them to control the magnetic states with electric current. This is important because engineers cannot apply magnetic fields to individual transistors in an electronic device. They need to control each one electrically.

The material’s magnetic properties could also enable transistors with built-in memory, simplifying the design of logic or memory circuits.

A typical memory device has a magnetic cell to store information and a transistor to read it out. Their method can combine both into one magnetic transistor.

“Now, not only are transistors turning on and off, they are also remembering information. And because we can switch the transistor with greater magnitude, the signal is much stronger so we can read out the information faster, and in a much more reliable way,” Liu says.

Building on this demonstration, the researchers plan to further study the use of electrical current to control the device. They are also working to make their method scalable so they can fabricate arrays of transistors.

This research was supported, in part, by the Semiconductor Research Corporation, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Research Office, and the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports. The work was partially carried out at the MIT.nano facilities.

My latest book, Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship, will be published in just over a week. No reviews yet, but can read chapters 12 and <a href=https://newpublic.substack.com/p/2ddffc17-a033-4f98-83fa-11376b30c6cd”>34 (of 43 chapters total).

You can order the book pretty much everywhere, and a copy signed by me <a href=”https://www.schneier.com/product/rewiring-democracy-hardcover/’>here.

Please help spread the word. I want this book to make a splash when it’s public. Leave a review on whatever site you buy it from. Or make a TikTok video. Or do whatever you kids do these days. Is anyone a SlashDot contributor? I’d like the book to be announced there...

Two years ago, Americans anxious about the forthcoming 2024 presidential election were considering the malevolent force of an election influencer: artificial intelligence. Over the past several years, we have seen plenty of warning signs from elections worldwide demonstrating how AI can be used to propagate misinformation and alter the political landscape, whether by trolls on social media, foreign influencers, or even a street magician. AI is poised to play a more volatile role than ever before in America’s next federal election in 2026. We can already see how different groups of political actors are approaching AI. Professional campaigners are using AI to accelerate the traditional tactics of electioneering; organizers are using it to reinvent how movements are built; and citizens are using it both to express themselves and amplify their side’s messaging. Because there are so few rules, and so little prospect of regulatory action, around AI’s role in politics, there is no oversight of these activities, and no safeguards against the dramatic potential impacts for our democracy...

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 13 October 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02438-3

The rise of generative AI presents both risks and opportunities for shaping climate discourse. New findings suggest it can help lower climate scepticism and bolster support for climate action.

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 13 October 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02424-9

Climate sceptics tend to avoid climate information, making it even harder to reduce scepticism. This study shows that generative AI can enhance sceptics’ engagement with climate news by tailoring headlines to their existing perspective and shift their beliefs towards the scientific consensus.

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 13 October 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02461-4

Climate risk increasingly threatens World Heritage sites, yet its integration into conservation planning remains underexplored. By analysing 1,868 World Heritage documents, this study reveals regional disparities of climate awareness and highlights the gap between awareness and action.

Online surveillance is everywhere—and understanding how you’re being tracked, and how to fight back, is more important than ever. That’s why EFF partnered with Women In Security and Privacy (WISP) for our annual Global Members’ Speakeasy, where we tackled online behavioral tracking and the massive data broker industry that profits from your personal information. 

Our live panel featured Rory Mir (EFF Associate Director of Community Organizing), Lena Cohen (EFF Staff Technologist), Mitch Stoltz (EFF IP Litigation Director) and Yael Grauer, Program Manager at Consumer Reports. Together, they unpacked how we arrived at a point where a handful of major tech companies dictate so much of our digital rights, how these monopolies erode privacy, and what real-world consequences come from constant data collection—and most importantly, what you can do to fight back. 

Members also joined in for a lively Q&A, exploring practical steps to opt out of some of this data collection, discussing the efficacy of privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and sharing tools and tactics to reclaim control over their data. 

We're always excited to find new ways to connect with our supporters and spotlight the critical work that their donations make possible. And because we want everyone to learn from these conversations, you can now watch the full conversation on YouTube or the Internet Archive: 

WATCH THE FULL DISCUSSION

EFF’s Global Member Speakeasy: You Are the Product 

Events like the annual Global Members’ Speakeasy are just one way we like to thank our members for powering EFF’s mission. When you become a member, you’re not only supporting our legal battles, research, and advocacy for digital freedom—you’re joining a global community of people who care deeply about defending privacy and free expression for everyone. 

Join EFF today, and you’ll receive invitations for future member events, quarterly insider updates on our most important work, and some conversation-starting EFF gear to help you spread the word about online freedom. 

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and our partners at WISP for helping make this event happen. We’re already planning upcoming in-person and virtual events, and we can’t wait to see you there. 

Video.

As usual, you can also use this squid post to talk about the security stories in the news that I haven’t covered.

Blog moderation policy.

Austin, Texas is a major tech hub with a population that’s engaged in advocacy and paying attention. Since 1991, EFF-Austin an independent nonprofit civil liberties organization, has been the proverbial beacon alerting those in central Texas to the possibilities and implications of modern technology. It is also an active member of the Electronic Frontier Alliance (EFA). On a recent visit to Texas, I got the chance to speak with Kevin Welch, President of EFF-Austin, about the organization, its work, and what lies ahead for them:

How did EFF-Austin get started, and can you share how it got its name?

EFF-Austin is concerned with emerging frontiers where technology meets society. We are a group of visionary technologists, legal professionals, academics, political activists, and concerned citizens who work to protect digital rights and educate the public about emerging technologies and their implications. Similar to our namesake, the national Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), “the dominion we defend is the vast wealth of digital information, innovation, and technology that resides online.” EFF-Austin was originally formed in 1991 with the intention that it would become the first chapter of the national Electronic Frontier Foundation. However, EFF decided not to become a chapters organization, and EFF-Austin became a separately-incorporated, independent nonprofit organization focusing on cyber liberties, digital rights, and emerging technologies.

What's the mission of EFF-Austin and what do you promote?

EFF-Austin advocates for establishment and protection of digital rights and defense of the wealth of digital information, innovation, and technology. We promote the right of all citizens to communicate and share information without unreasonable constraint. We also advocate for the fundamental right to explore, tinker, create, and innovate along the frontier of emerging technologies.

EFF-Austin has been involved in a number of initiatives and causes over the past several years, including legislative advocacy. Can you share a few of them?

We were one of the earliest local organizations that began to call out the Austin City Council over their use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs). After several years of fighting, EFF-Austin was proud to join the No ALPRs coalition as a founding member with over thirty local and state activist groups. Through our efforts, Austin decided not to renew our ALPR pilot project, becoming one of the only cities in America to reject ALPRs. Building on this success, the coalition is broadening its scope to call out other uses of surveillance in Austin, like proposed contracts for park surveillance from Liveview Technologies, as well as data privacy abuses more generally, such as the potential partnership with Valkyrie AI to non-consensually provide citizen data for model training and research purposes without sufficient oversight or guardrails. In support of these initiatives, EFF-Austin also partnered with the Austin Technology Commission to propose much stricter oversight and transparency rules around how the city of Austin engages in contracts with third party technology vendors.

EFF-Austin has also provided expert testimony on a number of major technology bills at the Texas Legislature that have since become law, including the Texas Data Privacy And Security Act (TDPSA) and the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA).

How can someone local to central Texas get involved?

We conduct monthly meetups with a variety of speakers, usually the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at Capital Factory (701 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701) in downtown Austin. These meetups can range from technology and legal explainers to digital security trainings, from digital arts profiles to shining a spotlight on surveillance. In addition, we have various one-off events, often in partnership with other local nonprofits and civic institutions, including our fellow EFA member Open Austin. We also have annual holiday parties and SXSW gatherings that are free and open to the public. We don't currently have memberships, so any and all are welcome.

While EFF-Austin events are popular and well-attended, and our impact on local technology policy is quite impressive for such a small nonprofit, we have no significant sustained funding beyond occasional outreach to our community. Any local nonprofits, activist organizations, academic initiatives, or technology companies who find themselves aligned with our cause and would like to fund our efforts are encouraged to reach out. We also always welcome the assistance of those who wish to volunteer their technical, organizational, or legal skills to our cause. In addition to emailing us at info@effaustin.org, follow us on Mastodon, Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Meetup, and visit us at our website at https://effaustin.org.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Investment Management Company (MITIMCo) announced today that MIT’s unitized pool of endowment and other MIT funds generated an investment return of 14.8 percent during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, as measured using valuations received within one month of fiscal year end. At the end of the fiscal year, MIT’s endowment funds totaled $27.4 billion, excluding pledges. Over the 10 years ending June 30, 2025, MIT generated an annualized return of 10.7 percent.

The endowment is the bedrock of MIT’s finances, made possible by gifts from alumni and friends for more than a century. The use of the endowment is governed by a state law that requires MIT to maintain each endowed gift as a permanent fund, preserve its purchasing power, and spend it as directed by its original donor. Most of the endowment’s funds are restricted and must be used for a specific purpose. MIT uses the bulk of the income these endowed gifts generate to support financial aid, research, and education.

The endowment supports 50 percent of undergraduate tuition, helping to enable the Institute’s need-blind undergraduate admissions policy, which ensures that an MIT education is accessible to all qualified candidates regardless of financial resources. MIT works closely with all families of undergraduates who qualify for financial aid to develop an individual affordability plan tailored to their financial circumstances. In 2024-25, the average need-based MIT undergraduate scholarship was $62,127. Fifty-seven percent of MIT undergraduates received need-based financial aid, and 39 percent of MIT undergraduate students received scholarship funding from MIT and other sources sufficient to cover the total cost of tuition.

Effective in fiscal 2026, MIT enhanced undergraduate financial aid, ensuring that all families with incomes below $200,000 and typical assets have tuition fully covered by scholarships, and that families with incomes below $100,000 and typical assets pay nothing at all for their students’ MIT education. Eighty-eight percent of seniors who graduated in academic year 2025 graduated with no debt.

MITIMCo is a unit of MIT, created to manage and oversee the investment of the Institute’s endowment, retirement, and operating funds.

MIT’s Report of the Treasurer for fiscal year 2025, which details the Institute’s annual financial performance, was made available publicly today.

AI agents are now hacking computers. They’re getting better at all phases of cyberattacks, faster than most of us expected. They can chain together different aspects of a cyber operation, and hack autonomously, at computer speeds and scale. This is going to change everything.

Over the summer, hackers proved the concept, industry institutionalized it, and criminals operationalized it. In June, AI company XBOW took the top spot on HackerOne’s US leaderboard after submitting over 1,000 new vulnerabilities in just a few months. In August, the seven teams competing in DARPA’s AI Cyber Challenge ...

Soot emissions from power plants rose nearly 20 percent above average when enforcement stalled during the shutdown seven years ago.

Lawmakers said the cases threaten to “bankrupt” the energy industry.

Several GOP senators have expressed interest in attending the climate talks, Utah Sen. John Curtis said.

The facility would be among the world's biggest direct air capture hubs. It comes as President Trump has slashed subsidies for the industry in the U.S.

A new approach to forecasting would give local authorities more information as they prepare for deadly heat waves.

The governor ordered “any and all steps” to permit wind and solar development before federal subsidies expire.

The new laws encourage fire-resistant landscaping, expand insurance for mobile homes and expand insurer access to financing.

Brussels has signaled it won’t yield to U.S. pressure to ignite a bonfire to green regulations as part of their trade deal, a top official tells diplomats.

Researchers are exploring possibilities for using "metal-organic frameworks" to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and pollution from industrial sites or to harvest moisture from desert air.