Researchers discovered a novel way to control the optical properties of silicon nanoantennas using vectorial light fields. The technique enables high-contrast reconfigurable optical scattering by switching structured polarization beams.
SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateMay 5, 2022
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have successfully used recycled glass as a replacement for sand in 3D printing concrete mixtures. The new method offers a more environmentally sustainable way of building and construction, reducing waste and pollution.
SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Building Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2022
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.
A research team from City University of Hong Kong and Imperial College London developed a new strategy for highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells using ferrocene molecules. The breakthrough invention can achieve efficiency of up to 25% while maintaining stability, making it a promising alternative to silicon solar cells.
SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022
Researchers at the University of Cologne and the University of Wuppertal have developed a tandem solar cell that achieves an unprecedented 24% efficiency, outperforming previous records. The innovative design combines organic and perovskite-based absorbers with an indium oxide interconnect to minimize losses.
SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2022
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.
SourceOptica·JournalOptical Materials Express·DateApr 13, 2022
Researchers at Hiroshima University have created the world's first silicon quantum dot (QD) LED light using waste rice husks, offering an eco-friendly alternative to toxic semiconducting materials. The new method transforms agricultural waste into high-quality LED lights with high luminescence efficiency and low environmental impact.
SourceHiroshima University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateApr 11, 2022
Researchers at Princeton University have achieved an unprecedented level of fidelity in two-qubit silicon devices, paving the way for the use of silicon technology in quantum computing. The study's findings suggest that silicon spin qubits have advantages over other qubit types, including scalability and size limitations.
SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022
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.
A self-standing mesoporous Si film anode has been developed for lithium-ion batteries, exhibiting excellent performance without the need for additives or binders. The film's pore characteristics show a strong correlation with electrode performance.
SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateMar 31, 2022
Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a new design for ultra-thin photovoltaic panels that absorbs over 65% of sunlight, outperforming previous records. The innovative honeycomb structure enables efficient light absorption from any angle, trapping light inside the solar cell and generating more energy.
SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalPhotonics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2022
A team of researchers has developed a MEMS scanning lidar that can detect objects reliably even in shaky environments. The long-range MEMS lidar prototype uses a digital controller to suppress errors caused by vibrations, allowing for stable 3D imaging and object detection.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateMar 29, 2022
The research team created silicon-based qubits using FinFET architecture that can store quantum information in two states at higher temperatures, allowing for scalability and integration into existing industry standards.
SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Electronics·DateMar 25, 2022
Researchers from NTU Singapore and KIMM create chemical-free printing technique to fabricate semiconductor wafers with nanowires. The method produces highly uniform and scalable wafers, leading to improved performance and high chip yield.
SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers have successfully combined perovskite with silicon in a tandem cell, achieving an efficiency of 21.3%. The team estimates the PCE to be 29.5%, with potential for further improvement through surface optimization.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalSolar RRL·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022
Researchers demonstrate a two-terminal tandem solar cell with enhanced efficiency through spectrum splitting, achieving a 5-6% gain in absolute efficiency. The design uses planar and Lambertian spectral splitters to effectively distribute sunlight among the top and bottom cells.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateFeb 17, 2022
Researchers have designed a tiny and flat antenna for receiving and transmitting terahertz signals, enabling the miniaturization of THz devices. The new design integrates the antenna with the system, eliminating the need for bulky silicon lenses and reducing optical power required.
SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 9, 2022
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.
Researchers have achieved 99% accuracy in quantum computing using silicon-based devices. The breakthrough enables the creation of large arrays of qubits capable of robust computations, overcoming a significant challenge in building reliable quantum computers.
SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022
The University of Surrey researchers have developed a method to generate up to 3.1% biaxial strain and 8.5% uniaxial strain in single-crystal silicon using ion implantation, which could lead to the development of germanium lasers and near-infrared sensors for smartphones.
SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalPhysical Review Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2022
Researchers have successfully demonstrated ULTRARAM¼trade mark computer memory on silicon wafers for the first time, combining non-volatility with speed and energy-efficiency. The technology outperforms previous incarnations, offering data storage times of at least 1000 years and fast switching speeds.
SourceLancaster University·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2022
A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology demonstrates a new substrate structure that enables the excitation and detection of high-intensity broadband spin waves, even when miniaturized. The YIG-on-metal (YOM) structure achieves broader frequency bandwidth and higher intensity than conventional electrode structures.
SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalJournal of Physics D Applied Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2021
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.
Researchers developed a new process to produce stable formamidinium perovskite (FAPbI3) materials, which can be used to make more efficient and stable solar cells. The novel approach uses lower temperatures and eliminates additives, making it suitable for large-scale production and flexible solar cell applications.
SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 15, 2021
Researchers at Indiana University have developed a silicon device that can change skin tissue into blood vessels and nerve cells. The technology, called tissue nanotransfection, is being explored for use in treating conditions such as stroke and diabetes-related nerve damage.
SourceIndiana University·JournalNature Protocols·DateDec 10, 2021
Prof. Tingyi Gu from the University of Delaware has received a $500,000 DARPA Young Faculty Award to improve the power efficiency of digital communications. Her research focuses on manipulating light direction to create more energy-efficient photonic systems.
A new study uses a microspectroscopic technique to measure micro- and nano-sized plastics in steam-disinfected silicone-rubber baby bottle nipples. The research found that these fine particles can be released into the environment and ingested by babies, posing health risks.
SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 29, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers develop new epitaxial growth mechanism to achieve large-scale single-crystal WS2 monolayers, overcoming a crucial hurdle in replacing silicon with 2D materials. The technique enables uniform alignment of small crystals and leads to the successful growth of wafer-scale single-crystals of WS2, MoS2, WSe2, and MoSe2.
SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021
Researchers at Politecnico di Torino developed a new method for creating nanoresonators using 3D printing, achieving mechanical performances similar to silicon-based devices. The technique enables the creation of complex and miniature sensors with improved sensitivity and strength.
SourcePolitecnico di Torino·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2021
Researchers propose a hybrid artificial neural network and analytical model to predict optical constants and bandgap energy of novel silicon thin films. The method was found to be 95% accurate in determining the optical properties of these materials, which is challenging due to limited experimental data available.
SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateNov 4, 2021
Researchers have developed a superconducting silicon-photonic chip for quantum communication, enabling optimal Bell-state measurement of time-bin encoded qubits. This breakthrough enhances the key rate of secure quantum communication and removes detector side-channel attacks, significantly increasing security.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2021
SMART researchers have discovered a practical method to overcome current challenges in the manufacture of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LEDs with considerably higher indium concentration. The new approach uses intrinsic defects in semiconducting materials to form quantum dots that emit long-wavelength light.
SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalACS Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021
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.
Researchers have developed metal-halide perovskite semiconductors as a cheaper alternative to silicon for solar cells and LEDs. The new material class offers excellent functionality and can be processed from solution, allowing for the creation of efficient devices.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Materials·DateOct 26, 2021
Researchers from KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a synthetic alloy that increases perovskite cells' durability while preserving energy conversion performance. The new material can survive for several minutes completely immersed in water, retaining its efficiency for over 100 days after manufacturing.
SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalCommunications Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021
A new instrument at the Advanced Light Source enables simultaneous measurement of crystal structure and optical properties during perovskite synthesis. This allows for real-time monitoring of material quality and performance, leading to potentially more efficient solar cells.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2021
Researchers have observed for the first time how silicon anodes degrade in lithium-ion batteries due to swelling and electrolyte infiltration. This degradation leads to reduced battery capacity and charging speed, but scientists are exploring ways to protect silicon from these effects.
SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 5, 2021
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.
A team of researchers at Bristol's Quantum Engineering and Technology Labs has developed a silicon photonic chip that can protect quantum bits from errors using photons. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of more powerful quantum computers by reducing the fragility of qubits.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2021
Colloidal quantum dot technology enables infrared lasing at room temperature, paving the way for low-cost solution-processed and CMOS integrated lasing sources. The breakthrough discovery may facilitate fully integrated silicon photonics, enabling lower power consumption, higher data rates, and multi-spectral 3D imaging capabilities.
SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 29, 2021
Researchers at University of California San Diego created a high-performance all-solid-state battery using pure-silicon anode, showing safe, long-lasting, and energy-dense properties. The new battery technology offers a promising path forward for silicon anodes, which were previously limited by liquid electrolytes.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Researchers at Aalto University created intricate shapes like letters by manipulating tiny metal balls with vibrating plates and energy fields. The smart algorithm efficiently guided the particles to achieve desired shapes, inspired by natural phenomena like wind and water.
SourceAalto University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 22, 2021
Researchers developed an all-nitride superconducting qubit using niobium nitride on a silicon substrate, achieving long coherence times of up to 22 microseconds. The breakthrough paves the way for large-scale integration and potential applications in quantum computers and nodes.
SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalCommunications Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2021
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.
SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·Journalnpj 2D Materials and Applications·DateSep 15, 2021
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.
Researchers have developed a new structure and materials for tandem solar cells, enabling more light to be captured and energy converted effectively. The n-i-p configuration achieved a significant improvement in power-conversion efficiency, exceeding 27%, surpassing previous best values.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2021
Researchers at The Rockefeller University have revealed a more nuanced historical wave pattern to the rise of transistor density in silicon chips. The study highlights six waves of improvements, each lasting about six years, with significant increases in transistor density per chip.
SourceProgramme for the Human Environment, The Rockefeller University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2021
The new infrared detector can make two technically important ranges of infrared radiation visible, previously not covered by conventional photodiodes. The sensor can distinguish between substances based on their different absorption properties in the NIR and SWIR range.
SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalACS Photonics·DateAug 17, 2021
Researchers pair metal halide perovskites with conventional silicon to create a more powerful solar cell, overcoming the 26% practical efficiency limit. The technology has the potential to rapidly scale up solar energy production and help meet ambitious climate change targets.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 17, 2021
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.
A UC Riverside materials scientist has received a $2 million grant to improve the scalability of quantum computers, allowing them to operate at room temperature. The project aims to create design guidelines and manufacturing strategies for hybrid organic-inorganic structures that can produce quantum computers on a larger scale.
Researchers at C-Crete Technologies have developed a method that utilizes deep learning to quickly predict and design novel hybrid organic-inorganic materials, offering improved materials design for various industries. By feeding quantum mechanics calculations to layered machine learning based on artificial neural networks, they can un...
SourceC-Crete Technologies·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2021
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis shows that guided by sparsity, silicon neurons learn to pick the most energy-efficient perturbations and wave patterns, enabling an emergent phenomenon of efficient communication between neurons. This research has significant implications for designing neuromorphic AI systems.
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021
Researchers developed a novel method to visualize and understand the structural and chemical evolution of silicon and its interface with the electrolyte. This breakthrough could lead to more robust lithium batteries with improved performance and longer cycle life.
SourcePenn State·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 29, 2021
Researchers monitored dislocations in silicene sheets after adding silicon atoms, revealing a sequence of reactions that integrate Si atoms. The study could provide solutions to heal structural defects in similar materials.
SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·Journal2D Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2021
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.
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.
Scientists successfully produce and characterize a crystalline complex with a two-dimensional equivalent of silicon, defying geometric expectations. The resulting structure displays surprising physical and chemical properties, opening up new avenues for catalysis and materials research.
Scientists have found a low-cost way to split off oxygen molecules from water using sunlight, paving the way for more efficient production of clean hydrogen. The breakthrough uses a technique that creates electrically conductive paths through a silicon dioxide layer, allowing for stable and efficient water splitting.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 19, 2021
Researchers from USTC created a divacancy color center array and achieved spin-coherent manipulation of a single divacancy color center at room temperature. The spin color centers showed excellent properties comparable to the diamond NV center, with a 30% spin readout contrast and extended coherence time of up to 23 microseconds.
SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 19, 2021
Researchers found that prolonged silicon consumption in small doses led to lung fibrosis and inflammation in rats and mice, with negative effects appearing six months after switching to clean water. The findings have implications for the use of microelement additives in dietary supplements.
SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJul 15, 2021
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.
Researchers at EPFL and UCSB successfully integrate ultralow-loss Si3N4 photonic integrated circuits with semiconductor lasers, enabling chip-scale frequency combs for high-capacity transceivers, data centers, and sensing applications. This breakthrough paves the way for large-volume, low-cost manufacturing of soliton microcombs.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience·DateJul 1, 2021
The Bowers lab and EPFL team developed an integrated semiconductor laser and resonator capable of producing soliton microcombs, expanding data transmission capabilities. The technology enables seamless integration with low-loss nonlinear optical micro-resonators, lending itself to commercial-scale production.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience·DateJul 1, 2021
Researchers at Stanford University have invented a manufacturing technique that yields flexible, atomically thin transistors less than 100 nanometers in length. The technique, detailed in a paper published in Nature Electronics, promises bendable, shapeable, yet energy-efficient computer circuits.
SourceStanford University·JournalNature Electronics·DateJun 17, 2021
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
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 at Penn State have developed a novel graphene-based physically unclonable function (PUF) that is more energy-efficient and secure against AI attacks than silicon-based devices. The device's unique properties make it resistant to machine learning attacks, adding tamper resistance as another security feature.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in photovoltaics technology by developing tandem cells and singlet fission processes that reduce operating temperatures and extend device lifetimes. This innovation leads to a 2%-4% gain in annual energy production and doubles the lifetime of devices for every 10°C reduction in temperature.
SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalProgress in Photovoltaics Research and Applications·DateMay 10, 2021
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.
Researchers develop a new technique to investigate surface structures of semiconductors at the atomic scale. The technique, called atomic point contact Raman spectroscopy, reveals enhanced Raman scattering from silicon surfaces when a plasmonic silver tip is brought into contact with the surface.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 7, 2021
A team from Brown University has made a significant breakthrough in improving the long-term reliability of perovskite solar cells by creating a molecular glue that strengthens key interfaces. The treatment increases cells' stability, reliability, and efficiency, setting the stage for widespread adoption of clean energy technology.