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Integrated photonic circuits could help close the 'terahertz gap'

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new thin-film circuit that produces finely tailorable terahertz-frequency waves, enabling precise control over frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and phase. This breakthrough has significant implications for future electronics, telecommunications, spectroscopy, and quantum applications.

Photonics chip allows light amplification

A new study developed a traveling-wave amplifier based on a photonic integrated circuit operating in the continuous regime, providing 7 dB net gain on-chip and 2 dB net gain fiber-to-fiber. This achievement enables unlimited application areas for LiDAR and other optical sensing applications.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

NIST finds a sweet new way to print microchip patterns on curvy surfaces

Researchers have found a way to transfer precise micro Patterns onto unconventional surfaces, including curved surfaces and fibers. This technique, called REFLEX, could open up new possibilities for the development of new materials and microstructures in fields such as electronics and biomedical engineering.

Hard to crack hardware

Researchers at KAUST have developed a spintronics-based logic lock to defend chip security, which can be integrated into electronic chips to fend off malicious attacks. The design uses magnetic tunnel junctions to scramble the circuit's operation unless the correct key combination signal is supplied.

Faster and more efficient computer chips thanks to germanium

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a new method for creating high-quality contacts between metal and semiconductor materials, enabling faster and more efficient computer chips. The technology uses crystalline aluminium and a sophisticated silicon-germanium layer system to overcome the problem of oxygen contamination.

A faster experiment to find and study topological materials

Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to identify topological materials using machine learning and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The method is over 90% accurate in identifying known topological materials and can predict properties of unknown compounds.

UTD engineers join initiative to tackle hardware trojans

Researchers aim to improve detection and removal of hardware trojans, which can disrupt wireless communication and leak sensitive information. The project is part of a public-private partnership aiming to accelerate the translation of research findings into new technologies.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

New multi-channel visible light communication system uses single optical path

Researchers have demonstrated a new visible light communication system that uses a single optical path to create a multi-channel communication link over the air. The system, based on devices called multiple quantum well (MQW) III-nitride diodes, can save half the channel space, cost and power by using a single link.

Why heat makes us sleepy

Researchers at Northwestern University found that a thermometer-like brain circuit promotes midday siestas on hot days. The study, which used fruit flies as a model organism, identified absolute heat receptors in fly heads, leading to increased midday sleep in flies and potentially humans.

Tunable single-mode lasing on a high-Q resonator

The researchers achieved ultranarrow linewidths and wavelength tunability in the lithium niobate microlaser, enabling applications like lidar and metrology. The single-mode lasing is realized through simultaneous excitation of high-Q polygon modes at both pump and laser wavelengths.

A golden ticket to smaller electronics

A team of researchers at Osaka University developed a new method for direct three-dimensional bonding of copper electrodes using silver, enabling reliable connections at low temperatures without external pressure. The process can be performed under gentle conditions, resulting in permanent connections as small as 20 micrometers.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New polymer materials make fabricating optical interconnects easier

Researchers developed new polymer materials with adjustable refractive index, enabling easy creation of optical interconnects between photonic chips and board-level circuits. The technology has the potential to boost Internet data center efficiency by reducing power consumption and heat generation.

New transistor could cut 5% from world’s digital energy budget

A new magneto-electric transistor has been developed by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University at Buffalo. The design can reduce energy consumption by up to 75% and retain memory in event of power loss, making it a promising alternative to silicon-based transistors.

Kaiyuan Yang wins NSF CAREER Award

Kaiyuan Yang's five-year grant will focus on enhancing the reliability and security of bioelectronic implants by making them aware of and adaptive to their physical and logical contexts. The goal is to develop WBMI bioelectronics that can be deeply implanted in humans through minimally invasive injection, ingestion or through vessels.

Opening up the electromagnetic spectrum

Researchers developed first fully integrated parity-time symmetric electronic system, expanding giga-terahertz research capabilities. The system operates without exotic materials, utilizing standard microelectronic fabrication technology.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Quantum physics sets a speed limit to electronics

Researchers investigated the shortest possible time scale of optoelectronic phenomena and found that it cannot be increased beyond one petahertz. The experiments used ultra-short laser pulses to create free charge carriers in materials, which were then moved by a second pulse to generate an electric current.

Direct generation of complex structured light

Researchers have developed a direct method for generating complex structured light through intracavity nonlinear frequency conversion. This technique uses transverse mode locking to produce vortex beams, which are then converted into second-harmonic generation beams with distinct structural characteristics. The study demonstrates the p...

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Beam me up to 5G, Schottky

An international team of scientists has developed an organic semiconductor that can operate in the 5G frequency range, with a structure featuring ultralow capacitance and resistance. The innovation paves the way for mass manufacturing at low cost using solution processing techniques.

How can the computer chip predict the future of gene synthesis?

Researchers used the history of microchip development to predict advancements in synthetic biology, citing potential for exponential growth in transistors on a single computer chip. The study suggests that synthesizing an artificial human genome could cost approximately $1 million and simpler applications like custom bacteria could be ...

A potential breakthrough for production of superior battery technology

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a method to produce micro-supercapacitors, which can increase battery lifespan and enable fast charging. The new production process is scalable and could lead to significant environmental benefits by reducing battery recycling needs.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

2D materials under the microscope

Researchers review current research on 2D materials, highlighting their potential for quantum light sources and integrated circuits. The scientists also discuss recent advances in hybrid devices and scalable quantum photonic technologies.

Integrated photonics for quantum technologies

Researchers outline potential and challenges of integrated photonic circuits for quantum technologies, highlighting need for investment in education and infrastructure. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of current state and future applications of integrated photonics for quantum technologies.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Intelligent transistor developed at TU Wien

Scientists at TU Wien have developed a novel germanium-based transistor with the ability to perform different logical tasks, offering improved adaptability and flexibility in chip design. This technology has potential applications in artificial intelligence, neural networks, and logic circuits that work with more than just 0 and 1.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

A traffic light for light-on-a-chip

A team of researchers at EPFL and Purdue University has developed a magnetic-free optical isolator using integrated photonics and micro-electromechanical systems. This device can couple to and deflect light propagating in a waveguide, mimicking the effects of magnet-driven isolators without requiring magnetic fields.

Radiationless anapole states in on-chip photonics

A team of researchers has discovered radiationless anapole states in on-chip photonics, which enable the creation of highly sensitive biosensors and nonlinear signal processing systems. The discovery allows for tunability of anapole states within a wide wavelength range, with enhanced energy concentration inside nanoparticles.

Winged microchip is smallest-ever human-made flying structure

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a flying microchip that can monitor air pollution, airborne diseases, and environmental contamination. The device, about the size of a grain of sand, uses wind to generate flight, stabilizing its trajectory through aerodynamic optimization inspired by nature.

Towards more energy-efficient 2D semiconductor devices

Researchers from SUTD discover a family of 2D semiconductors with Ohmic contacts, reducing electrical resistance and generating less waste heat. This breakthrough could pave the way for high-performance and energy-efficient electronics, potentially replacing silicon-based technology.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Generating entangled photons with nonlinear metasurfaces

A new approach to generating quantum-entangled photon pairs uses nonlinear metasurfaces to enhance and tailor photon emissions. The researchers achieved a five-order-of-magnitude increase in the brightness of entangled photons, with a highly configurable platform that can control entanglement and direction.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Brain-inspired highly scalable neuromorphic hardware presented​

Researchers at KAIST have developed a brain-inspired highly scalable neuromorphic hardware by co-integrating single transistor neurons and synapses. This innovation dramatically reduces hardware cost and accelerates the commercialization of neuromorphic hardware, enabling its application in mobile and IoT devices.

Decades of research brings quantum dots to brink of widespread use

A new Science article assesses the technological progress of colloidal quantum dots, which have become industrial-grade materials for a range of technologies. Advances include first demonstration of colloidal quantum dot lasing, discovery of carrier multiplication and pioneering research into LEDs and luminescent solar concentrators.

Doctoral student bridges gap between electronics and optics

A doctoral student at Texas A&M University has designed a chip that can revolutionize data rate for processors by utilizing photons. The chip operates at higher speeds with higher data rates compared to previous generation of chips, and is capable of reaching nearly five times the bandwidth.

Organic electronics possibly soon to enter the GHz-regime

Researchers at TU Dresden introduce complementary vertical organic transistors that can operate at low voltage, have adjustable inverter properties, and demonstrate fast response times. The development of these devices could pave the way for flexible, printable electronics with GHz-regime performance.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

New microchip sensor measures stress hormones from drop of blood

A Rutgers-led team developed a microchip that can measure cortisol and other stress hormones in real-time from a single drop of blood, providing patients with timely feedback for better treatment. The miniaturized device has the potential to be used for non-invasive cortisol measurement in other fluids.

Novel heat-management material keeps computers running cool

Researchers successfully integrate a new ultrahigh thermal-management material into computer chips, reducing heat and increasing energy efficiency. The development outperforms existing materials like diamond and silicon carbide, with temperatures rising to nearly 188 degrees Fahrenheit.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Better integrated circuits with glide symmetry

Researchers applied glide symmetry to dual-strip SSPP TLs, achieving flexible control of modal fields and significant suppression of coupling. This design enables compact circuits with improved signal integrity and low crosstalk.

Smaller chips open door to new RFID applications

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a 125μm×245μm Gen2-compatible RFID chip, the world's smallest of its kind. The smaller chip size enables mass production and reduces costs to under one cent per tag.

Researchers in Sweden develop light emitters for quantum circuits

Researchers in Sweden have developed integrated chips that can generate light particles on demand and without extreme refrigeration. This breakthrough enables deterministic photon emission at room temperature, paving the way for hybrid integration of atom-like single-photon emitters into photonic platforms.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

New brain-like computing device simulates human learning

Researchers developed a brain-like device with organic, electrochemical synaptic transistors that mimic human brain's short-term and long-term plasticity. The device can learn by association and overcome traditional computing limitations, such as energy consumption and limited multitasking capabilities.

Brain-on-a-chip would need little training

Researchers at KAUST developed a brain-on-a-chip that can learn real-world data patterns without extensive training, leveraging spiking neural networks and spike-timing-dependent plasticity model. The system is more than 20 times faster and 200 times more energy efficient than other neural network platforms.

New nanoscale device for spin technology

Researchers at Aalto University developed a new device for spintronics, allowing control and filtering of spin waves in devices as small as hundreds of nanometres. The device uses exotic magnetic materials to trap and cancel out unwanted frequencies, enabling faster processing and wireless transmission.

New tech builds ultralow-loss integrated photonic circuits

Scientists have developed a new technology for building silicon nitride integrated photonic circuits with record low optical losses, significantly reducing power budgets for chip-scale optical frequency combs. The technology enables high-quality-factor microresonators and meter-long waveguides on small chips.