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.
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
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
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
A team of physicists has discovered stable ferroelectricity in a few nanometers thick strontium titanate film, contradicting expected behavior. This finding could lead to new materials for nanotechnology devices.
SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2015
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.
Researchers have created a way to detect ortho-para conversion in water, allowing for the study of spin isomers at the single-molecule level. By confining single water molecules in carbon cages, they can observe the transformation without hindrance.
SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 25, 2015
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
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.
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 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
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
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.
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
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
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.
A new self-powered non-mechanical intelligent keyboard generates electricity from user fingertips, capturing unique typing styles for enhanced computer security. This innovative device uses individual keystroke patterns to identify users and prevent unauthorized access.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 21, 2015
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
A novel plasma actuator improves plasma authority at high wind speeds, suppressing boundary layer separation and reducing model vibration on a UAV. The study demonstrates an important role of plasma actuators in real applications.
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 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
The new Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics expands research capabilities with industry partners, focusing on high energy-density capacitors, flexible electronics, and piezotronic transistors. The center will leverage partnerships to support new products and processes.
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.
This special issue of Science China-Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy features a wide range of research articles covering surface symmetry, qubits, graphene, and more. The articles highlight the Institute of Physics CAS's achievements over the past five years.
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.
Researchers at NIST have engineered a self-correcting crystal material that enables tunable dielectrics for microwave and advanced communication devices. The new material has perfect faults, reducing power loss and increasing efficiency.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateNov 6, 2013
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
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara developed a new framework to understand the behavior of charged molecules in ionic liquids. The discovery could lead to more efficient and sustainable battery technologies, with potential applications in electric vehicles.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 7, 2013
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.
Scientists have discovered a way to control dielectrics using short and intense laser pulses, enabling extremely fast processing. This breakthrough could lead to the development of transistors that are 10,000 times faster than current semiconductors.
SourceGeorgia State University·JournalNature·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.
A pre-cracked parallel-plate capacitor model is developed to analyze the role of electrostatic tractions in fracture and electric sticking behaviors. The study reveals a new fracture criterion based on energy release rate and crack opening, showing bifurcation behavior between mechanical and electric displacements.
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
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.
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
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
Researchers have developed a simple and effective approach to reduce the threshold voltage of pentacene thin film transistors, while maintaining high mobility. By inserting a thin metal phthalocyanine interlayer, they achieved significant performance enhancement, including reduced threshold voltage and increased carrier mobility.
Stanford engineers developed a tiny, self-propelled medical device that can travel through the bloodstream using wireless power. The device has an antenna small enough to fit in the bloodstream and can propel itself at speeds of over half-a-centimeter per second.
SourceStanford University School of Engineering·DateFeb 21, 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.
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
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.
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.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, soft generator that can convert movement into battery power using dielectric elastomer technology. This innovation has the potential to create light, flexible, and silent energy harvesters with excellent mechanical properties.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 6, 2011
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 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
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.
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.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a new templated growth technique for fabricating nanometer-scale graphene devices. The method involves etching patterns into silicon carbide surfaces to direct graphene growth, resulting in smooth-edged nanoribbons with controlled widths.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 5, 2010
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers are developing a novel ceramic material for energy storage, aiming to overcome a key bottleneck in large-scale wind and solar power generation. The goal is to create nanoengineered capacitors that can store energy quickly and efficiently.
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
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
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.
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
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
Using a stacked arrangement, researchers observed single photons traveling through dielectric materials with significantly reduced transit times. This phenomenon can be explained by the wave properties of light and its behavior when interacting with specific material layers.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 26, 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.
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
Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated the activation energy of impurities in semiconductor nanowires is affected by surrounding dielectric, which can be modified to optimize device performance. The study confirms the dielectric confinement effect, a key phenomenon in doping and conduction in nanostructures.
SourceHarvard University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 5, 2009
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley have created a nanostructured silicon 'carpet cloak' that conceals objects from view, demonstrating invisibility in two dimensions. The all-dielectric material is easy to fabricate and scalable, paving the way for potential applications in microscopes and computers.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 1, 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.
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
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
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