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Capacitor breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Delaware have successfully developed a new method to increase the energy storage ability of dielectric capacitors using nanotechnology. The innovation achieves an energy density of about two watt hours per kilogram, significantly higher than existing structures.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2015
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.

Scientists demonstrate how to improve ultrathin CIGSe solar cells by nanoparticles

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin improved ultrathin CIGSe solar cells by integrating nanoparticles into the back contact, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced charge carrier loss. This innovative approach enables more efficient light trapping and absorption, paving the way for further design enhancements.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 16, 2015

Dielectric film has refractive index close to air

A new dielectric film has been developed with a refractive index as low as 1.025, allowing for improved optical properties in photonic devices. The film's mechanical stability is also enhanced, making it suitable for incorporation into electronic devices.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 12, 2015

Researchers measure how specific atoms move in dielectric materials

Scientists have developed a new method to analyze the movement of specific atoms in dielectric materials when exposed to an electric field. This technique uses X-rays and advanced mathematical analysis to determine changes in atomic placement within the crystalline structure of the material.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 1, 2015

Japanese paper art inspires new 3-D fabrication method

Researchers at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois have developed a new assembly method that uses strategic 'Kirigami cuts' to create complex 3D structures out of silicon and other materials. The technique enables the production of mostly closed 3D shapes with limited ability to achieve spatially extended devices.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 8, 2015
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.

'Magic' sphere for information transfer

Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University develop a sphere that manipulates electromagnetic radiation on scales shorter than its wavelength, enabling faster photonic devices. The sphere's interaction with light produces a resonance similar to plasmonics, but with weaker damping, making it suitable for various applications.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 21, 2015

Flexible dielectric polymer can stand the heat

Researchers developed a cross-linked polymer nanocomposite containing boron nitride nanosheets, which can operate at high temperatures, store electricity, and be photo-patterned. The material has higher voltage capability, heat resistance, and bendability.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateAug 6, 2015
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.

Sol-gel capacitor dielectric offers record-high energy storage

Researchers have developed a new capacitor dielectric material providing an electrical energy storage capacity similar to certain batteries. The hybrid sol-gel material shows maximum extractable energy densities up to 40 joules per cubic centimeter, exceeding conventional electrolytic capacitors and thin-film lithium ion batteries.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateJul 30, 2015

Engineers give invisibility cloaks a slimmer design

Scientists at the University of California - San Diego have designed a new type of cloak that is both thin and does not alter the brightness of light around a hidden object. The technology behind this cloak has more applications than invisibility, such as concentrating solar energy.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProgress In Electromagnetics Research·DateJul 7, 2015

Squid inspires camouflaging smart materials

Researchers at the University of Bristol have designed a smart materials system inspired by biological chromatophores, mimicking squid skin's camouflage abilities. The artificial skin, made from electroactive dielectric elastomer, can effectively copy biological patterns and even mimic complex dynamic patterning seen in real cephalopods.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalInterface·DateJun 15, 2015
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Bringing high-energy particle detection in from the cold

Researchers discovered a promising material called thallium sulfide iodide that can be used to create high-performance, low-cost, and room-temperature semiconductor radiation detectors. The material has higher density, heavier chemical elements, and lower growth temperature compared to existing candidates.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 5, 2015

New understanding of electromagnetism could enable 'antennas on a chip'

A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has proposed that electromagnetic waves are generated by symmetry breaking in dielectric materials. This discovery could enable ultra-small antennas for wireless communications and aid understanding of electromagnetism and quantum mechanics crossover.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 8, 2015

Soft, energy-efficient robotic wings

Dielectric elastomers have made significant breakthroughs in soft robotics applications, enabling the creation of flapping robotic wings with high-energy conversion efficiencies. The new resonance phenomenon discovered by researchers can make the artificial joint bend up and down, mimicking the motion of a bird's wing.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 31, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Penn research shows way to design 'digital' metamaterials

The team designs 'digital' metamaterials composed of two materials with positive and negative permittivity values, enabling the creation of flat lenses, hyperlenses, and waveguides. By carefully arranging these materials, they can produce bulk metamaterials with nearly any desired permittivity value.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 1, 2014

Tailored flexible illusion coatings hide objects from detection

Researchers at Penn State have developed a metamaterial coating that allows coated objects to function normally while appearing as something other than what they really are. The 'illusion coatings' work by using copper patterns designed to create the desired result, enabling practical applications for cloaking metal antennas and sensors.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 13, 2014

How to make a 'perfect' solar absorber

The researchers created a two-dimensional metallic dielectric photonic crystal that absorbs virtually all wavelengths of light from the sun, but not much of the rest. The material can withstand extremely high temperatures and is made at large scales with cheaply manufactured technology.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 30, 2014
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.

Metal particles in solids aren't as fixed as they seem, new memristor study shows

Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that metal particles in memristors can migrate and form bridges between electrodes, allowing for more efficient chip design and potential advancements in memristor technology. The findings, published in Nature Communications, have broad implications for the semiconductor industry.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 24, 2014

Department of Defense funds terahertz-range metamaterials research

Researchers at Penn State will focus on developing plasma photonic crystals and plasma-embedded metamaterials that operate in the terahertz range, enabling applications such as antennas with beam steering and filter devices. The project aims to replace traditional metallic split-ring resonators with low-loss dielectric resonators.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 16, 2014

Advance brings 'hyperbolic metamaterials' closer to reality

Hyperbolic metamaterials, created by Purdue University researchers, offer promising advances in optics and electronics. The ultra-thin crystalline films, composed of metal and dielectric materials, could lead to powerful microscopes, quantum computers, and high-performance solar cells.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2014
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.

Making the most of carbon nanotube-liquid crystal combos

Researchers found temperature and concentration effects on physical properties of combined materials, including tilt angle, polarisation, response time, and dielectric relaxation. Increasing nanotube concentration enhances certain properties but slows down others.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateApr 2, 2014

Large-aperture planar lens antennas with gradient refractive index

Three-dimensional large-aperture GRIN lens antennas are fabricated using multilayer inhomogeneous drilling holes or square ring resonators, offering high gain, broad bandwidth, and dual polarization. A simple flat GRIN lens is used to focus electromagnetic waves with minimal phase changes.

SourceScience China Press·DateDec 31, 2013
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.

3-D models of electrical streamers

A team of researchers at MIT has developed an accurate 3-D model of streamer propagation, which qualitatively and quantitatively describes the development of electric breakdown in dielectrics. The model offers great promise for applications such as medical imaging, aerospace engineering, and power transmission.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateSep 27, 2013

New '4-D' transistor is preview of future computers

Researchers have created a new type of transistor called the '4-D' transistor, made from indium-gallium-arsenide material. The three nanowires in the device allow for faster and more efficient operation, enabling the development of lighter laptops with reduced heat generation.

SourcePurdue University·DateDec 5, 2012
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.

Too cool to follow the law

Researchers found that glass-former materials don't follow standard dynamics below a sub-melting point threshold, contrary to recent reports. The study highlights the need for precise viscosity data to accurately analyze their behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateAug 1, 2012

First 3-D nanoscale optical cavities from metamaterials

Researchers at Berkeley Lab develop 3D optical cavities with potential to generate intense nanolaser beams, suitable for various technologies including LEDs and optical sensing. The unique electromagnetic properties of these cavities enable new approaches for designing nano-scale optical cavities.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 26, 2012
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.

Nano-sandwich technique slims down solar cells, improves efficiency

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a nano-sandwich technique to create thinner solar cells while maintaining their ability to absorb solar energy. The new design, which uses a thin active layer surrounded by dielectric materials, significantly improves efficiency and decreases manufacturing costs.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 25, 2012

Sandia National Laboratories' unique approach to materials allows temperature-stable circuits

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new approach to creating multilayered, ceramic-based microelectronics circuits that can maintain stability in resonant frequency despite temperature fluctuations. This technology has the potential to improve the performance of cell phones and reduce costs by eliminating unnec...

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalJournal of Microelectronics and Electronic Packaging·DateJun 1, 2012
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.

UCSB researchers uncover transparency limits on transparent conducting oxides

Researchers at UCSB have discovered the optical transparency limits of transparent conducting oxides, essential for efficient optoelectronic devices. They found that tin dioxide weakly absorbs visible light, making it useful as a transparent contact, but absorption increases with ultraviolet and infrared light.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 18, 2012

New '3-D' transistors promising future chips, lighter laptops

Researchers at Purdue University have created a new type of transistor with a 3-D structure, potentially leading to faster, lighter laptops. The transistors contain nanowires made from indium-gallium-arsenide and have the potential to conduct electrons five times faster than silicon.

SourcePurdue University·DateDec 6, 2011

Restraint improves dielectric performance, lifespan

Duke University engineers demonstrated that rigidly constraining dielectric materials can increase their energy density and decrease rates of failure. By preventing physical deformation, epoxy acts as a mechanical constraint to enhance the component's ability to carry greater voltage.

SourceDuke University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 25, 2011
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.

Smartphones -- the grip of death

New research from the University of Bristol's Centre for Communications Research investigates how smartphone grips impact wireless signal strength. Holding a device can lead to a 100-fold reduction in sensitivity and signal fluctuations, impairing service quality.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalIEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters·DateFeb 28, 2011

GRIN plasmonics

GRIN plasmonics combines transformation optics and plasmonics to control strongly confined light waves. The technique uses an isotropic dielectric material on a metal substrate to create efficient plasmonic devices, including Luneburg and Eaton lenses.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 24, 2011

Time ripe to move energy storage idea off drawing board

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a novel capacitor design that could significantly increase energy density in power supplies for electric cars. The new technology uses titanium alloy and advanced materials to create a highly efficient and compact device capable of absorbing and providing surges of electricity.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateDec 1, 2010
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.

Smallest U-M logo demonstrates advanced display technology

A University of Michigan professor has developed a new type of color filter made of nano-thin sheets with precisely spaced gratings, trapping and transmitting light of specific colors. The filter acts as a polarizer simultaneously, eliminating the need for additional polarizer layers, making it simpler to manufacture.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 24, 2010

Turning down the noise in graphene

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a graphene noise model, showing minimal background signal noise near the Dirac point. The model reveals an M-shaped pattern in single-layer graphene and a V-shaped pattern in bi-layer graphene, correlating to spatial-charge inhomogeneity.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 6, 2010

Depth charge: Using atomic force microscopy to study subsurface structures

Researchers at NIST have developed a technique using atomic force microscopy to study subsurface conditions in nanostructured composite materials. The method, which uses electrostatic forces, allows for the mapping of electric potential distribution and quantification of carbon nanotube concentrations.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNanotechnology·DateJun 23, 2010
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.

New nanoscale electrical phenomenon discovered

Researchers have discovered a new nanoscale electrical phenomenon that allows for nondestructive transmission of electricity through glass, enabling the development of faster and less expensive portable diagnostic devices. This breakthrough could also enable significant advancements in building micro-mechanical and lab-on-a-chip devices.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 18, 2010

Graphene films clear major fabrication hurdle

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have successfully synthesized single-layer graphene films on a dielectric substrate using direct chemical vapor deposition. The method overcomes current fabrication limitations, enabling the production of high-quality graphene films with controlled properties and morphologies.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 8, 2010
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Testing relativity in the laboratory

Researchers have developed a new class of metamaterials that mimic celestial mechanics, allowing for the study of gravitational lensing and chaos in a lab setting. This breakthrough enables scientists to study relativity phenomena, such as gravitational lensing, in a controlled environment.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 20, 2009
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Scientists moving closer to 'artificial noses'

Researchers at LMU Munich have created a system of nanostrings made of non-conducting material, which can be individually electrically excited and produce thousands of strings on a small chip. This breakthrough could lead to the development of highly sensitive 'artificial noses' for detecting various molecules, including pollutants.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature·DateApr 23, 2009

Nano changes rise to macro importance in a key electronics material

A team of researchers has identified the source of unique electronic properties in silver niobate, a ceramic dielectric material used in wireless communications equipment. The study reveals how subtle nanoscale changes in the material's structure give rise to major changes in its physical properties.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review B·DateApr 8, 2009

Plasmonic whispering gallery microcavity paves the way to future nanolasers

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and Cal Tech have created a high-Q surface-plasmon-polariton whispering-gallery microcavity, enabling ultra-small device fabrication and strong light enhancement. This innovation paves the way for future nanolasers with applications in photonics and optical microchips.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2009