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A new way to make AR/VR glasses

University of Rochester researchers developed a novel technology using freeform optics and metasurfaces to deliver high-quality images with socially acceptable optics. The metaform component gathers visible light rays from all directions and redirects them directly into the human eye, achieving a significant improvement in image quality.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 2021

Kirigami-style fabrication may enable new 3D nanostructures

Researchers have developed a kirigami technique to fabricate complex 3D nanostructures with unprecedented ease. By strategically introducing cuts to a uniform structural film, the team can create sophisticated three-dimensional structures that can change shape in response to environmental changes.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 2, 2021

Tunable rainbow light trapping in ultrathin resonator arrays

Researchers develop novel design and fabrication techniques for rainbow light trapping, enabling extreme light confinement and versatile application in low concentration molecular sensing, enhanced photocatalysis, and super-resolution optics. The technique uses analytical modeling to optimize groove geometry for broadband electromagnet...

Nanodots made of photovoltaic material support waveguide modes

Researchers developed a novel spectroscopic technique to study stibnite nanostructures, revealing their potential as high-optical-quality waveguides. The technique allows for the measurement of spectrally resolved intensity profiles within individual nanodots, demonstrating that they can support four modes over a 200-nm bandwidth.

Enhanced water repellent surfaces discovered in nature

Researchers at Penn State have discovered a previously unidentified nanostructure on insect surfaces that can be used to engineer stronger, more resilient water repellent coatings. These high-solid fraction textures may imbue additional water repelling benefits and could be applied to personal protective equipment (PPE) to better resis...

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 17, 2020

Artificial bug eyes

Researchers have created bioinspired artificial compound eyes with improved visual properties, enabling better motion detection and light sensitivity. The innovative structure consists of tiny independent repeating visual receptors called ommatidia, grown on top of convex glass domes with antireflective and water-repellent nanostructures.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 9, 2019

Healing kidneys with nanotechnology

A new method for treating and preventing acute kidney injury (AKI) has been developed using tiny, self-assembling forms of DNA origami nanostructures. These nanostructures were shown to protect the kidneys from harm as effectively as the leading drug therapy and alleviate symptoms of AKI.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateNov 8, 2018

Tying the knot: New DNA nanostructures

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to create complex knot-like nanostructures in single-stranded DNA, with crossing numbers ranging from 9 to 57. This breakthrough enables the design of molecular structures with specific functions and unprecedented complexity.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2018