A team of researchers from Lebanon and France has developed a laser biospeckle technique capable of detecting the climacteric peak in fruits like apples, bananas, and pears. This non-invasive method uses coherent light to analyze speckle patterns, which change with time depending on the medium's scattering properties.
Scientists develop a thermoresponsive coating that changes the color of white LEDs when dimmed, creating a warmer glow. This innovative technology uses liquid crystal and polymeric materials to create a temperature-dependent shift in light emission.
Researchers developed a method to securely display 3D images on smartphones by scanning QR codes without accessing the Internet. The system uses integral imaging and encryption to protect data, ensuring only authorized devices can access the content.
Researchers developed a compact probe that produces detailed images of blood vessels using ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging modalities. The system enables real-time imaging and can reveal important medical information, such as hemoglobin oxygen saturation, for monitoring tumor progression.
Researchers at Optica have developed a hybrid approach that integrates laser-ablation propulsion with gas blasting nozzles, increasing thrust efficiency. This innovation enables supersonic speeds for launching small satellites and accelerating aircraft to Mach 10 and beyond.
Researchers developed ultra-thin LCD screens that maintain 3D images without power consumption, ideal for e-book readers and battery status monitors. The technology uses bi-stable displays to store an image for several years with low power consumption.
Scientists have demonstrated a new type of mirror that reflects infrared light by using an unusual magnetic property of a non-metallic metamaterial. The nanoscale antennas on the surface capture and harness electromagnetic radiation, paving the way for exciting new applications in optoelectronic devices.
Astronomers develop a new laser-based technology called the green astro-comb to detect tiny Doppler shifts, helping identify habitable zone planets. The device will enable precise measurements of exoplanet gravity, allowing for better detection of rocky worlds like Earth.
A new method using gold nanoparticles and light can measure the stickiness of mucus, which can help doctors monitor and treat lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The researchers found that this imaging method worked even when the mucus was sliding over a layer of cells.
Researchers have developed a gigapixel camera that can capture high-resolution images of the entire human body, allowing for earlier detection and potentially saving lives. The camera's resolution is significantly better than normal photography, making it suitable for telemedicine and expanding skin cancer screening to remote locations.
Researchers develop new approach to generate mixed-up photon pairs on a chip, exploiting micro-ring resonator technology. The device can directly generate orthogonal polarized photons at very low power, suitable for quantum protocols.
A new paint-on, see-through 'smart' bandage glows to indicate tissue oxygenation concentration, enabling direct measurement for improved wound care. The bandage's phosphorescence emits light based on oxygen levels, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of wounds and burns.
Researchers in Italy have developed a new technology using distributed optical fiber sensors to monitor soil slopes and detect the onset of landslides. This innovation can help mitigate devastating losses of life and property by providing early warnings, making it an entirely new tool for landslide risk monitoring.
Researchers developed an adaptive optics microscope that can focus laser light through even the murkiest surroundings without a guide star. This innovation resolves points less than one thousandth of a millimeter across, enabling sharper images in biology and medicine.
A new method developed by researchers from Stony Brook University and the U.S. National Institutes of Health uses optical coherence Doppler tomography to image how cocaine disrupts blood flow in mouse brains. The technique provides high-resolution images of capillary flows, shedding light on the effects of cocaine on brain physiology.
Researchers have developed a new hand-held device that uses photoacoustic microscopy to accurately measure the depth of melanoma tumors in living tissue. This technology has the potential to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning for melanoma patients by providing valuable information on tumor volume.
A wearable device called pupillometer has been developed to detect early signs of diabetic autonomic neuropathy by measuring pupil diameter and response time. The device is designed to be worn on glasses and may lead to far better health outcomes for people with diabetes if proven safe and effective in clinical trials.
Researchers have developed a self-cooling method for solar cells using silica glass to reduce overheating, improving efficiency and lifespan. The design enhances infrared 'window' through Earth's atmosphere to redirect excess heat away from the solar cell.
The Optical Society's new open-access journal Optica publishes highest-impact research in optics and photonics. Key findings include the development of self-cooling solar cells, observation of rotational Doppler shift in white light, and precision time measurement on a silicon chip.
A team of researchers created a model that can predict the level of discomfort experienced by drivers under various LED lighting conditions. The study suggests minimizing light hitting at an observer's eyes and luminance contrast between streetlights and backgrounds to minimize glare.
Researchers have developed a single-pixel optical system that can overcome light scattering in tissue, enabling transmission of images through scattering media. The technique uses compressive sensing to compress large data files as they are measured, allowing it to reconstruct the image and penetrate deeper into tissue.
Researchers have created an all-optical high-temperature sensor for gas flow measurements that operates at record-setting temperatures above 800 degrees Celsius. The technology integrates optical heating elements, sensors, and energy delivery cables within a single fiber, enabling simultaneous flow/temperature sensors.
Researchers developed a small, lightweight device that combines near-infrared fluorescent imaging to detect marked cancer cells with visible light reflectance imaging to see tissue contours. This technology enhances surgeons' ability to precisely remove tumors and minimize healthy tissue damage.
Researchers have developed laser-written light-guiding systems for efficient commercial use. The technology allows embedding sensors, including temperature and biometric sensors, into Gorilla Glass to create new real estate in phones. This could enable secure transactions using infrared light and more compact devices.
Researchers have developed two new wearable devices that use scattered light to monitor glucose concentration and dehydration levels. The devices also track pulse with reduced sensitivity to errors, making them suitable for health and fitness tracking. They are the first non-invasive devices to directly measure glucose concentration.
UTHealth researchers have developed a new technology, NIRFLI, that can non-invasively image the human lymphatic system using near-infrared fluorescence and laser diodes. This device promises to revolutionize lymphatic care by allowing for early detection and monitoring of conditions such as lymphedema and cancer.
A new laser sensing technology developed by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, can remotely sense objects across distances up to 30 feet, 10 times farther than current systems. This breakthrough technology has potential applications in self-driving cars, smartphones and interactive video games.
Researchers developed a new optical see-through head-mounted display that superimposes 3D images onto the real world, reducing eye strain and discomfort. The device uses microscopic integral imaging technology to create a seamless blend of virtual and physical environments.
Researchers have developed precision-guided epidurals using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to reduce pain and complications. OCT also enables better blood monitors that measure oxygen saturation and flow rates without contrast agents.
A team of MIT researchers has successfully demonstrated a broadband wireless connection to the moon using a laser-based communication system, transmitting data at a rate of 622 megabits per second. The system, which uses multiple telescopes and amplification techniques to overcome atmospheric challenges, has the potential to enable lar...
Researchers have developed a thin silicon lens that can be used in thermal infrared cameras, paving the way for more affordable surveillance systems. The new design has improved image quality and can detect people in low-light conditions.
Researchers have developed a new method using terahertz reflectometry to measure the thickness of paint layers and analyze particles embedded in them. This technique can help identify old toxic paint containing lead and analyze artifacts without damaging them.
Researchers have developed a new process to create high-quality lenses at a low cost, making them suitable for various applications including disease detection, scientific research, and education. The lenses were created using a simple method involving the hanging and curing of droplets of transparent silicone polymer.
Researchers developed a corrugated, translucent panel that redirects sunlight onto narrow streets and alleyways, increasing illumination by 200 percent in autumn and winter. The panel is designed to provide natural light for everyday tasks and improve mental health, and its cost is estimated between $70 and $100 per square meter.
Researchers use shrink wrap to boost signal of fluorescent markers in biosensing, enabling detection of infectious diseases with lower limits of detection. The technique could lead to a low-cost, highly sensitive diagnostic device using common, everyday materials.
New algorithm assesses risks and determines safest locations for cloud data refuge, mitigating impacts of disasters on networks. Integrated wireless-optical system enables temporary emergency networks with high-speed wireless technology.
Researchers have demonstrated a novel quantum dot laser grown on silicon substrates, performing as well as similar lasers grown on their native substrates. This breakthrough enables large-scale photonic integration in an ultra low-cost platform.
Researchers at IBM have achieved a record-breaking data transfer speed of 64 gigabits per second (Gb/s) using standard non-return-to-zero modulation on a multimode optical fiber. The technology has the potential to meet growing needs of servers, data centers and supercomputers through the end of this decade.
Researchers have developed a new optical device that can measure blood coagulation parameters in near real time, enabling timely diagnosis and treatment of bleeding patients. The device uses laser speckle rheology to detect changes in blood sample patterns, providing insights into clotting time and fibrinogen concentration.
Researchers demonstrate low-power photonic devices fabricated using standard chip-making processes, achieving energy efficiencies competitive with electronics. The advancements enable the commercialization of photonic technology, accelerating its adoption in computing and communication applications.
A team of Belgian researchers successfully developed a stretchable optical interconnection that can be bent and stretched without losing its light-gathering ability. The new material consists of a transparent core surrounded by a lower refractive index layer, which traps light and causes it to propagate along its length.
Researchers have developed a new tracking system that takes 3-D movies of living sperm, providing detailed imaging and analyzing motility data. The method helps detect potential infertility-causing anomalies, such as bent tails, and may soon aid in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics in selecting the most viable sperm cells.
The Optical Society (OSA) has announced the launch of a new open-access journal, Optica, which will publish original research articles and letters in all areas of optics and photonics. The first issue is set to be published in July, with a renowned editorial board led by professor Alex Gaeta.
Researchers have developed new silk-coated diamond particles that can be injected into living cells to provide a novel technique for biological imaging and drug delivery. The silk coating enhances the brightness of the nanodiamonds while preserving their optical properties, making them safe for use in the body.
Researchers found that fur coats and down feathers derive their insulating power from an optical mechanism involving the scattering of infrared light. This discovery could lead to improved building insulation and the development of new types of ultrathin insulation.
A new hand-held optical device can scan a patient's entire retina in seconds, detecting early signs of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration. This innovation enables primary care physicians to screen a wider population outside traditional specialist offices.
Researchers at the University of Twente in the Netherlands have developed a new imaging tool called the photoacoustic mammoscope, which uses a combination of infrared light and ultrasound to create a 3-D map of the breast. The device has shown promise in detecting breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Researchers have created a small holographic projection system with a lensless zoom function, enabling compact and cost-effective projectors. The new technology reduces calculation time and preserves image quality, making it suitable for applications such as presentations and displays.
Researchers developed a novel breathalyzer that uses a reusable, color-changing opal sensor to detect alcohol vapor concentration. The device can provide precise digital readings and is usable multiple times, making it a promising solution for police officers.
Researchers developed a pollutant detector using a narrow stream of unconfined water, which acts as a waveguide to channel fluorescent light signals. The device was highly sensitive, detecting pollutant levels even lower than EPA standards and distinguishing between harmless and hazardous bacteria.