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Let the europium shine brighter

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a stacked nanocarbon antenna that makes europium shine brighter than previous designs, with potential to create more efficient photosensitizers. The new design uses low-energy blue light absorption, reducing energy loss and enabling photodynamic therapy applications.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateJan 21, 2020

Light-up wheels: Unique organic light-emitting molecular emitters

Researchers at Osaka University have designed and synthesized a new molecular emitter for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), using rational chemical design with U-shaped synthetic building blocks. The efficient macrocyclic OLED emitter could potentially be used in tiny, energy-efficient chemical sensors.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 21, 2020

Platelets instead of spheres make screens more economical

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new QLED screen technology using ultra-thin nanoplatelets that emit light in one direction, increasing energy efficiency and reducing scattering losses. The technology produces high-intensity blue light with around two-fifths of the generated light reaching the observer's eye.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 20, 2020
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.

Colloidal quantum dot laser diodes are just around the corner

Researchers successfully demonstrated a quantum dot LED that operates as an optically pumped laser, clearing the path towards versatile colloidal quantum dot laser diodes. These devices have the potential to revolutionize fields like photonics, optoelectronics, and medical diagnostics.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 14, 2020

LED lighting in greenhouses helps but standards are needed

Rutgers research reveals information gaps on optimal LED light intensity and colors for indoor crops, aiming to improve energy efficiency. The study recommends using a spectroradiometer to calculate light ratios and develop standard definitions for specific wavebands essential for plant growth.

SourceRutgers University·JournalActa Horticulturae·DateJan 8, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Illumination drives bats out of caves

Researchers found that bats avoid all light colors and prefer dark entrances, regardless of color. Inside caves, bats react sensitively to any light, showing a slight preference for red over amber and white lights only when dark was not an option.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·DateDec 11, 2019
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

2D materials boost carrier multiplication

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science discovered a carrier multiplication process in 2D semiconductors that could improve the efficiency of solar cells. The phenomenon is more efficient in 2D materials than in bulk semiconductors and has the potential to increase the maximum power conversion efficiency up to 46%

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 2, 2019
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Study reveals how age affects perception of white LED light

Researchers found that age-dependent effects on color perception can lead to different perceptions of white LED lighting. Designs that consider these differences can improve the aesthetic appeal of LED lighting. The study suggests using modern colorimetry to minimize inter-user discrepancies in LED emitters.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 16, 2019
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.

The fast dance of electron spins

Computer simulations reveal that certain metal complexes can exhibit rapid spin-flip processes, making them useful for precise control of electron spins in quantum computers. The study used enormous computational power to model the behavior of rhenium complex and found a spin-flip process taking place within ten femtoseconds.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalChemical Science·DateOct 4, 2019

CCNY physicists score double hit in LED research

Researchers at City College of New York have successfully demonstrated a light-emitting diode (LED) operating at room temperature, utilizing half-light half-matter quasiparticles in atomically thin semiconductors. This breakthrough has significant implications for LiFi technology, which offers faster data transmission speeds than Wi-Fi.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 27, 2019

Nano bulb lights novel path

Researchers at Rice University have created a tunable, nanoscale incandescent light source by combining near-nanoscale materials that absorb heat and emit light. The system's unique configuration allows for the emission of light in specific states and wavelengths, including infrared.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 19, 2019
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.

A new method for quantifying crystal semiconductor efficiency

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new method to quantify the efficiency of crystal semiconductors, a crucial step towards creating more efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and solar cells. The method uses photoluminescence spectroscopy to detect the emitted light energy, providing a unique indicator of the crystal's quality.

SourceTohoku University·JournalAPL Materials·DateAug 23, 2019

New design strategy brightens up the future of perovskite-based light-emitting diodes

The team discovered a new strategy to design highly efficient perovskite-based LEDs by leveraging the quantum confinement effect, which allows for superior mobility of electrons and holes. This results in attractive light-emission properties, enabling record-setting performance in terms of brightness and power efficiency.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateAug 8, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Striped glow sticks

Scientists have developed a new strategy for constructing photonic heterostructure crystals with tunable properties, which can absorb and transmit photons. These crystals, in the form of striped rods, exhibit unique fluorescence behavior and serve as a prototype for a logic gate.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 6, 2019

Improving efficiency, brightness of perovskite LEDs

Researchers developed a new approach to optimize highly efficient perovskite LEDs by exploring the performance of an amorphous zinc-silica-oxide system layered with perovskite crystals. The resulting devices showed improved efficiency, brightness, and light out-coupling efficiency, particularly in green diodes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateJul 30, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Extraordinarily thick organic light-emitting diodes solve nagging issues

Scientists at Kyushu University created micrometer-thick OLEDs using a hybrid perovskite approach, overcoming manufacturing constraints and color distortion issues. The devices exhibit improved efficiencies and lifetimes, paving the way for low-cost, reliable, and uniform fabrication of OLED-based displays.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2019

Developing technologies that run on light

Researchers at Stanford University have designed a photon diode that can only flow in one direction, enabling faster solutions to scientific, mathematical and economic problems. The device uses nanostructures and metasurfaces to manipulate light and break time-reversal symmetry.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 24, 2019

Green light for a new generation of dynamic materials

Researchers have developed a novel material that can be controlled by green LED light and darkness, enabling the creation of temporary support scaffolds for 3D printing. The material has potential applications in manufacturing, recycling, and cell biology research, revolutionizing the field of dynamic materials.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 15, 2019
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.

On the way to printable organic light emitting diodes

Scientists at Max Planck Institute create a single-layer OLED that outperforms traditional designs in terms of brightness and efficiency. The new technology achieves record-high luminosity and long lifetimes, making it suitable for industrial purposes.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Polymer Research·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 10, 2019

The birth of a new discipline: Low-energy Visible Light IoT Systems

The ENLIGHT'EM project is developing a new discipline in Low-energy Visible Light IoT Systems, integrating VLC and networked embedded systems. Researchers will be trained to spearhead the development of sustainable IoT networks, with potential applications in connected energy, light, living, and cities.

SourceIMDEA Networks Institute·DateJun 28, 2019
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.

Collaborative research charts course to hundreds of new nitrides

Scientists at NREL and partner institutions create large stability map of ternary nitrides, highlighting promising compositions for experimental discovery. The map uses computational materials science and machine-learning algorithms to accelerate the process, opening new avenues for nitride research.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 18, 2019

LED device could increase memory retention among astronauts

Researchers are developing a light-based technology to increase energy available to brain cells and improve astronaut performance. The new LED device aims to replace lasers as the delivery method for near-infrared light to stimulate mitochondria and create more oxygen in the brain.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateMay 29, 2019

Data science helps engineers discover new materials for solar cells and LEDs

Researchers developed a computational approach to design new hybrid halide semiconductors, discovering 13 new material candidates for solar cells and 23 for LEDs. The study used large-scale quantum mechanics calculations to identify novel materials with excellent optoelectronic properties.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMay 22, 2019
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Excitonic radiative decay faster than thermal dephasing in ZnO thin films

Researchers at Osaka University have discovered that zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films exhibit the fastest excitonic radiative decay rate ever recorded, surpassing thermal dephasing rates. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ultra-fast and energy-efficient photonic devices with non-thermogenic properties.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 15, 2019

Energy-saving new LED phosphor

Chemists at the University of Innsbruck have created a novel red phosphor called SALON, which emits light in the visible red range and reduces energy loss. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient white LEDs with improved color quality.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New nanomaterial to replace mercury

Researchers at NTNU have created a new electronic component that emits ultraviolet light, replacing traditional fluorescent lamps with a non-toxic and cheaper alternative. The technology has the potential to increase market demand for UVC products by 40% annually.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 24, 2019

Semiconductor scientists discover effect that was thought impossible

Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have found superinjection to be possible in homostructures, composed of a single material. This enables the creation of mass market devices, such as ultraviolet LEDs thousands of times brighter than previously thought possible.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalSemiconductor Science and Technology·DateApr 22, 2019

NRL develops laser processing method to increase efficiency of optoelectronic devices

Scientists at NRL discovered a new method to passivate defects in next generation optical materials, improving optical quality and enabling miniaturization of light emitting diodes. The technique produces a 100-fold increase in material's optical emission efficiency, paving the way for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 15, 2019

Light from exotic particle states

Researchers at TU Wien develop innovative light-emitting diode by harnessing radiative decay of exciton complexes in ultra-thin layers, enabling precise control over desired light wavelengths.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 15, 2019

New methodology enable solid state lighting to measure and self-adjust based on conditions

Researchers have developed a new methodology that allows solid state lighting to measure and self-adjust its spectral power distribution based on environmental conditions. This enables the system to maintain consistency and stability over time, making it suitable for applications requiring precise light spectra.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalOptical Engineering·DateMar 29, 2019
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.

Record efficiency for perovskite-based light-emitting diodes

Scientists have created high-performance perovskite light-emitting diodes by rational molecular passivation, achieving a record-high 21.6% external quantum efficiency. The discovery overcomes defects in perovskites, allowing for efficient emission of near-infrared light.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 28, 2019

NIST researchers boost intensity of nanowire LEDs

Researchers at NIST boost ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by up to five times using a special shell design, enhancing applications in polymer curing, water purification and medical disinfection. The new LEDs utilize p-i-n core-shell nanowire heterostructures with added aluminum, improving electroluminescence efficiency.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNanotechnology·DateMar 21, 2019

Understanding high efficiency of deep ultraviolet LEDs

Researchers at Tohoku University discovered that terraced steps in AlGaN-based LED fabrication increase efficiency by forming micropaths of electric current. This process enhances the conversion of electrical energy to optical energy, paving the way for more efficient LEDs.

SourceTohoku University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 22, 2019

UH chemist earns CAREER award for work in luminescence

University of Houston chemist Thomas Teets tackles three topics: blue light-emitting compounds, near-infrared spectra, and photocatalysts for organic synthesis. He also leads educational projects to introduce children and art enthusiasts to the chemistry of light.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateFeb 20, 2019
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.

Firefly-inspired surfaces improve efficiency of LED lightbulbs

Researchers at Penn State developed firefly-mimicking structures to improve light extraction efficiency in LEDs, achieving up to 90 percent. Asymmetric microstructures increase surface area for interaction with light and promote randomization of reflections, allowing more light to escape.

SourcePenn State·JournalOptik·DateFeb 19, 2019

NRL, AFRL develop direct-write quantum calligraphy in monolayer semiconductors

Scientists have developed a method to directly write quantum light sources into monolayer semiconductors, enabling precise placement and real-time design of arbitrary patterns of single photon emitters. This breakthrough paves the way for emerging applications in secure communications, sensing, and quantum computation.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 14, 2019

Running an LED in reverse could cool future computers

Researchers used reverse-biased LEDs to cool devices by harnessing thermal radiation, a concept commonly used in battery operation. This approach could lead to new solid-state cooling technology for microprocessors, enabling faster and more efficient computing.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2019
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Artificial intelligence ARTIST instantly captures materials' properties

Researchers at Aalto University developed an AI called ARTIST that instantly determines molecular reactions to light, accelerating the development of new technologies such as wearable electronics and flexible solar panels. This approach has the potential to slash research and development costs.

SourceAalto University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJan 30, 2019

Noninvasive light-sensitive recombinase for deep brain genetic manipulation

A KAIST team has developed a noninvasive light-sensitive photoactivatable recombinase suitable for genetic manipulation in vivo. The new tool enables spatiotemporal control of gene expression in the mouse brain with high precision and minimal side effects.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 2019

Ecological benefits of part-night lighting revealed

A study led by Newcastle University found that turning off street lights at midnight has no negative impact on moths' ability to pollinate plants. In fact, it may even help restore natural behavior. By switching off part of the night, local authorities can save energy while supporting nocturnal wildlife.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalEcosphere·DateJan 20, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Futuristic bike-inspired furniture displayed at Dubai Design Week 2018

The Graduate School of Creative Design Engineering at UNIST showcased its innovative 'stool.D' design, combining technology and art to create a functional and stylish piece. The stool features LED lights that provide visual feedback with pedaling speed, promoting exercise while sitting.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·DateJan 17, 2019

Engineered light to improve health, food, suggests Sandia researcher in Nature

Researchers suggest engineered light can regulate human health and productivity by eliciting hormonal responses, while tailored LED wavelengths stimulate plant growth and increase nutritional value. The broader integration of LEDs with technology holds potential for significant societal value beyond energy savings.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature·DateJan 16, 2019

Spintronics 'miracle material' put to the test

Physicists at the University of Utah have built two devices using perovskite to demonstrate its potential in spintronics. The materials' properties bring the dream of a spintronic transistor one step closer to reality.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 10, 2019

UH chemist focuses on materials for LED lighting

Jakoah Brgoch aims to improve energy efficiency in LED lighting by developing new materials and algorithms. He will use machine learning to identify new phosphors and predict material behavior under temperature changes.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateDec 13, 2018
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.