Researchers demonstrate that introducing dislocations through ion implantation can increase the thermal stability of photoluminescence in silicon. By optimizing implantation conditions, they achieved measurable levels of luminescence at room temperature.
SourceLobachevsky University·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms·DateJun 5, 2020
Using simulated silicon neurons, researchers found that energy constraints can lead to a dynamic, at-a-distance communication protocol more robust and energy-efficient than traditional computer processors. This protocol enables computing on a secondary network of spikes, allowing for efficient communication and processing.
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateJun 4, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers developed a new approach to build power-efficient and programmable integrated switching units on a silicon photonics chip. The technology enables bulk fabrication of generic optical circuits that can be programmed for specific applications.
Australian scientists have developed a new generation of experimental solar energy cells that pass strict International Electrotechnical Commission testing standards for heat and humidity. The research, published in Science, uses perovskite crystals to convert sunlight into electricity, outperforming silicon-based cells.
A new metamaterial has been developed by ITMO University researchers that can change its optical properties without mechanical input. The material combines silicon and phase-change materials to achieve a transparent surface in the near-infrared region.
Scientists in Australia and Germany have developed a hybrid structure combining traditional chip design with photonic architecture to overcome engineering barriers. This allows for efficient manipulation of light at the nanoscale, achieving data processing at 100 times smaller than the wavelength of light carrying the information.
SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 15, 2020
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.
Researchers at NIST create step-by-step method to produce atomic-scale devices, enabling precise control over quantum tunneling and entanglement. The technique has a nearly 100% success rate and lays the foundation for creating stable single-atom transistors with potential applications in quantum computing.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalCommunications Physics·DateMay 11, 2020
Scientists from JARA and Heraeus discovered that tiny material variations can significantly impact memristive device behavior. By controlling these differences, they created a method to design artificial synapses with varying excitability, which could lead to more efficient and reliable storage devices.
SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 11, 2020
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a new type of solar cell that can withstand high temperatures while maintaining efficiency. The breakthrough uses a hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite material that is stable at temperatures above 200°F and has a photoconversion efficiency of 11.8%.
SourceIowa State University·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateMay 4, 2020
A new neural probe design captures lost signals in brain activity, enabling experiments previously impossible. The probe's improved shielding and boron-infused silicon increase conductivity, allowing researchers to modulate neurons with high temporal resolution.
SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 1, 2020
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 from ITMO University and Czech Academy of Sciences develop nanoantenna to efficiently manipulate light, creating an optical vortex that mixes liquids and reagents. The system uses gold nanoparticles as a stirring 'spoon', amplifying diffusion by hundreds of times while minimizing side effects.
SourceITMO University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateApr 30, 2020
Scientists developed a unique nanostructure that limits silicon's expansion while fortifying it with carbon, enabling it to hold twice the charge of traditional graphite anodes. The porous silicon structure exhibits remarkable mechanical strength, making it suitable for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2020
Army researchers have developed a new electrolyte design for lithium-ion batteries that improves anode capacity by more than five times compared to traditional methods. The new design increases the number of possible cycles with little degradation, extending the lifespan of next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·DateApr 28, 2020
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland developed a hybrid material combining mesoporous silicon microparticles and carbon nanotubes to improve silicon's performance in Li-ion batteries. The material was produced from barley husk ash, reducing its carbon footprint.
SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 21, 2020
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 at the University of Maryland have developed a new electrolyte that forms a protective layer on silicon anodes, stabilizing their structure and preventing degradation. This breakthrough enables the use of micro-sized alloy anodes, significantly enhancing energy density and paving the way for high-energy batteries.
SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Energy·DateApr 21, 2020
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have developed a proof-of-concept quantum processor unit cell that works at 1.5 Kelvin, 15 times warmer than previous designs, allowing for affordable and real-world business applications. This breakthrough addresses one of the biggest constraints to practical quantum computers.
SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020
Researchers at George Washington University have developed a silicon-based electro-optical modulator that is smaller in size and faster than existing technology. The new device uses indium tin oxide to achieve gigahertz-fast signal modulation and has the potential to enable next-generation communication networks.
SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalOptica·DateApr 13, 2020
Researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology successfully developed an alloy with silicon that can emit light, paving the way for photonic chips. The breakthrough could lead to faster data transfer, reduced energy consumption, and new applications in self-driving cars and medical diagnosis.
SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature·DateApr 8, 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.
Researchers have developed a biohybrid system that uses bacteria on nanowires to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic building blocks. The system has achieved a record efficiency of 3.6% in converting solar energy into carbon bonds, making it comparable to sugar cane's 4-5% efficiency.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalJoule·DateMar 31, 2020
Researchers have fabricated high-performance mid-infrared laser diodes directly on microelectronics-compatible silicon substrates, paving the way for low-cost sensors for real-time environmental sensing. The new fabrication approach reduces costs by using industry-standard processing techniques.
A Stanford University team has created a new device that records electrical brain signals with high resolution, offering potential breakthroughs in prosthetics, disease treatment, and brain research. The device, featuring thousands of microwires, can be used to study neural activity on a single-neuron level.
SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 20, 2020
Researchers have developed a low-power beam steering platform that enables scalable optical systems for ultra-small LiDAR on autonomous vehicles, AR/VR displays, trapped-ion quantum computers, and optogenetics. The technology reduces power consumption while maintaining operation speed and broadband low loss.
SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalOptics Letters·DateMar 19, 2020
Researchers propose a flexible interface design to reduce alloying stress on silicon anodes, resulting in record-breaking rate performance and cycling stability. The design modulates stress distribution via a soft nylon fabric modified with a conductive Cu-Ni transition layer.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 9, 2020
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 UNIST have developed flexible and transparent solar cells that can absorb reflected light, increasing their efficiency. The new solar cell structure takes advantage of the theoretical light absorption mechanism to recycle reflected light, enabling it to maintain over 95% initial efficiency even after bending tests.
SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·DateMar 9, 2020
Researchers from RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have successfully measured the spin of an electron in a silicon quantum dot without altering its state. This breakthrough enables the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers, which can perform complex calculations efficiently.
SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 2, 2020
Researchers at KAUST have discovered a way to boost the efficiency of long-lived inverted perovskite solar cells, achieving record-certified efficiency of 22.3 percent. The innovative approach involves adding long-chain alkylamine ligands during production, which enhances stability and reduces boundary defects.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Energy·DateFeb 27, 2020
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.
Researchers at NIST have made the most sensitive measurements to date of silicon's conductivity using a novel method that allows them to test relatively thick specimens. The new technique has the potential to improve semiconductor materials and their applications, including solar cells and next-generation high-speed cellular networks.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 26, 2020
Researchers develop a new method to manipulate light's phase without changing its amplitude, reducing optical loss and electrical power consumption. This breakthrough enables the scaling of photonic circuits and reduces power dissipation in applications like LIDAR and neural circuits.
SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 24, 2020
Researchers at KIST developed silicon anode materials that can increase battery capacity four-fold, enabling rapid charging and more than doubling electric vehicle driving range. The new materials were created using common ingredients like water, oil, and starch in a simple thermal process.
SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 21, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
A cryptographic 'tag of everything' can verify a product's authenticity, with implications for combating losses due to supply chain counterfeiting. The MIT-developed ID chip is small enough for virtually any product, uses photovoltaic diodes for power and backscatter technique for transmission.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 20, 2020
New waveguide platforms enable compact solutions for ultra-high-performance systems, moving key components to chip scale from large tabletop instruments. These platforms support a range of applications, including spectroscopy, precision metrology, and computation.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers at Brown University found that perovskite films crack easily but can be healed with compression or moderate heat, which could improve durability and long-term reliability for commercialization
SourceBrown University·JournalActa Materialia·DateFeb 12, 2020
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 at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command developed a new approach to analyze tribological response between steel and silicon nitride during high-speed sliding tests. The study found that frictional heating induces chemical reactions leading to lubricating thin films, reducing wear and friction.
SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalWear·DateFeb 12, 2020
Researchers from UNSW Sydney have created artificial atoms in silicon chips that provide improved stability for quantum computing. The artificial atoms, with shells of electrons whizzing around the centre, offer robust qubits that can be reliably used for calculations.
SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2020
Researchers at Texas A¸M University have formulated a new recipe to prevent weaknesses in modern-day armor. By adding a tiny amount of silicon to boron carbide, they discovered that bullet-resistant gear could be made substantially more resilient to high-speed impacts.
SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 22, 2020
A Stanford team created a silicon chip that accelerates electrons using infrared laser pulses, achieving speeds of up to 94% of the speed of light. This prototype chip is a breakthrough in miniaturizing accelerator technology, making it more accessible for research and medical applications.
SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateJan 2, 2020
Researchers at Princeton University have successfully established a long-distance relationship between two silicon quantum bits, paving the way for more complex calculations and potentially cheaper quantum computers. The breakthrough uses light-based communication to transmit messages between qubits on a computer chip.
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.
Researchers quantify tiny height differences and detect different atom arrangements in silicene using low-temperature atomic force microscopy. The unevenness, known as buckling, influences the material's electronic properties, unlike graphene.
SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 23, 2019
Researchers have improved the efficiency of organic solar technologies by tweaking the underlying chemistry, boosting power output from 1% to 18%. The new approach uses non-fullerene acceptors, which can be shaped, colored, and semi-transparent, offering advantages over traditional silicon-based solar cells.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalMatter·DateDec 19, 2019
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have discovered a flaky material that improves the performance of organic solar cells. The material, made from tungsten disulfide flakes, enhances the cell's ability to gather holes and reduces resistance, leading to higher efficiency.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 16, 2019
Scientists at University of California, Riverside and The University of Texas at Austin demonstrate photon up-conversion using silicon nanocrystals and organic molecules. This breakthrough brings them closer to developing photodynamic treatments for cancer and advancing new technologies for solar-energy conversion and quantum information.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Chemistry·DateDec 2, 2019
Scientists have found a way to pair silicon with organic molecules to transfer energy between them, improving efficiency in converting light into electricity. This breakthrough has implications for information storage, solar energy conversion and medical imaging applications.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Chemistry·DateDec 2, 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.
A new sensor developed by scientists uses black silicon to detect trace amounts of nitroaromatic compounds, a common component of explosives and toxic pollutants. The sensor's high sensitivity and dynamic measurement range make it a potentially game-changing tool for medical and forensic evaluations.
SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalACS Sensors·DateNov 27, 2019
Researchers have developed a new manufacturing process that could enable ultra-efficient atomic computers storing more data and consuming 100 times less power. The technique, known as hydrogen lithography, allows for faster fabrication of atomic-scale computers.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateNov 27, 2019
Researchers from POSTECH successfully developed a photodiode with increased absorption of the near-infrared light by using the hourglass principle. The new device has been shown to have 29% increased near-infrared photoreseponse and less than 1% error rate in heart-rate measurement.
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Electronics·DateNov 26, 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.
Engineers at University of Michigan have developed a 3D transistor array design that integrates high-voltage devices with low-voltage silicon chips, enabling more compact and functional chips. This breakthrough paves the way for individual transistors to handle both digital and analog signals, overcoming current limitations.
SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Electronics·DateNov 19, 2019
A new optical switch developed by the NIST team can route light at speeds of 20 billionths of a second, making it ideal for quantum computing and high-performance computing. The device uses a miniature racetrack to redirect light signals with low signal loss.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateNov 14, 2019
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new material, 2D antimony, which holds promise for manufacturing even smaller computer chips. The material has high charge mobility, making it a suitable alternative to silicon, and its properties could lead to the discovery of even better materials.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 4, 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.
Large light silicon isotope enrichments suggest rapid solid formation during local temperature fluctuations within the disk. The discovery challenges conventional understanding of planetary disk evolution and formation of first solids.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2019
Researchers from FEFU and FEB RAS developed a nanoheterostructure consisting of magnetite film and silicon substrate, which can be used as a source of spin-polarized electrons. The new structure offers high spin polarization efficiency, enabling the creation of spin injectors for spintronic devices.
SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·DateOct 23, 2019
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed Ensemble of Diverse Mappings (EDM) to improve quantum computer reliability. By combining output probability distributions of diverse ensemble, EDM amplifies correct answer by suppressing incorrect ones.
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 at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new electrolyte mixture and additive that can stabilize silicon anodes during cycling, improving long-term cycling and calendar life. The new electrolyte mixtures, called MESA, show increased surface and bulk stabilities, outperforming comparable cells with graphite chemistry.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 10, 2019
Researchers develop new synthesis method to create molecules with partial structures of fullerenes, graphene, and carbon nanotubes. They successfully synthesize catenanes and knots, which are expected to be used in molecular machines and have specific properties derived from the topology.
SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2019
The Graphene Flagship predicts high potential for graphene-enabled batteries, supercapacitors, and sustainable energy generation. Short-term applications include materials sector innovations, while mid-term prospects focus on energy and opto-electronics advancements.
SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 4, 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.
The integration of graphene and 2D materials with silicon technology promises to overcome current challenges and enhance device component function and performance. This could lead to breakthroughs in computational systems, non-computational applications, such as cameras and sensors, and even push performance gains in memory and data st...
SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature·DateSep 30, 2019
Researchers at Cornell University have made a groundbreaking discovery in gallium nitride, which could transform electronics and wireless communication. The new material structure creates a high-density of mobile holes, making GaN structures almost 10 times more conductive than traditional doping methods.
Researchers developed a reconfigurable electronic platform that can morph into three different shapes, including quatrefoils, stars, and irregular ones. This innovation opens doors to new engineering challenges and opportunities for biomedical technologies such as drug delivery, health monitoring, and implants.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 10, 2019
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 found that defects at the interface between silicon carbide and silicon dioxide can compromise its efficiency. However, altering oxidation parameters can reduce these defects, potentially leading to improved performance. This discovery could contribute to more effective use of electrical power.
SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 5, 2019
Juha Muhonen's research group aims to solve a key issue in creating large-scale quantum platforms in silicon. The new quantum hybrid platform combines quantum elements with nano-optomechanical elements to enable practical applications of silicon quantum technologies.
SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·DateSep 3, 2019
The US Department of Defense has awarded $7.5 million to researchers at the University of Arkansas to explore a new material for infrared imaging devices. The goal is to create lighter, faster, and more energy-efficient detectors with higher signal-to-noise quality, addressing limitations in current technology.
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.