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Redesigned high-NA lithography optical system aims to revolutionize semiconductor chipmaking

A redesigned high-NA EUV lithography optical system has been proposed, which could enable the manufacture of smaller computer chips at lower cost than current methods. The new design eliminates troublesome optical effects, enhances resolution, and should be much cheaper to produce.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of Micro/Nanopatterning Materials and Metrology·DateJun 17, 2026

Customizable sub-nanometer vertical-step grayscale lithography

A new grayscale lithography technique called PG-LDW is introduced, achieving sub-nanometer resolution in 3D structures. This process enables precise control over the depth profile of photoresists, opening opportunities for next-generation micro/nano-integrated devices.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2026

An unexpected breakthrough in flat optics

A team from Harvard and University of Lisbon found that silica, a low-refractive index material, can be used for making metasurfaces despite long-held assumptions. They discovered that by carefully considering the geometry of each nanopillar, silica behaves as a metasurface, enabling efficient design of devices with relaxed feature sizes.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

When light teaches materials to self-organize: Writing nature-like 3D nanowrinkles

Scientists create natural surfaces with 3D nanowrinkles that control light, liquids, and living cells. The method uses laser polarization to guide the material's organization, enabling precise control over wrinkle formation and applications in bio-inspired surfaces and sensors.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJan 5, 2026

IJEM ranked No.1 again—record-breaking Impact Factor of 21.3!

International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing (IJEM) achieves a new Impact Factor of 21.3, surpassing 20 for the first time and maintaining its position as top journal in the field. IJEM has attracted submissions from 853 institutions in 81 countries.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJun 18, 2025
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.

Development of a simple, revolutionary printing technique for periodic nano/microstructures

Researchers developed a simple, repeatable printing technique to create periodic nano/microstructures on glass substrates with useful functions like water-repellency and structural colors. The technique enables fabricating materials without expensive equipment and complex processes, paving the way for innovative gas sensors.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2024
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.

Turning silver to gold: A diacetylene derivative-based metallic luster materials

Scientists create diacetylene derivative-based luster materials with tunable colors and metallic lusters, opening new possibilities for applications in jewelry, printing inks, and cosmetics. The developed material can express a golden luster selectively using light irradiation, minimizing environmental footprint and weight.

SourceChiba University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2024

Rice neuroscientists to build state-of-the-art neural recording system

Chong Xie and his team at Rice University have won a $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop an implantable neural electrode system for high-resolution, long-term neural recording and stimulation. The project aims to improve the resolution of existing devices by increasing the density of neurons sampled.

SourceRice University·DateJul 17, 2024

Pick and place: Creating 3D-printed materials that shrink more precisely

Researchers developed a technique to achieve uniform shrinkage of 3D-printed structures, enabling finely detailed structures with advanced light manipulation capabilities. The method has applications in anti-counterfeiting, high-performance devices, and materials with precise structuring.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 29, 2023
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.

Let there be (controlled) light

Researchers at HZDR demonstrate the creation of controlled single-photon emitters in silicon, enabling mass production of photonic qubits for quantum computing. The breakthrough paves the way for industrial-scale photonic quantum processor production.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2023

Fast burst of infrared light opens a way for 3D processing inside semiconductor chips

Researchers from LP3 Laboratory developed a light-based technique for local material processing in three-dimensional space of semiconductor chips. They successfully fabricated embedded structures inside Si and GaAs materials, which cannot be 3D processed with conventional ultrafast lasers.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateNov 7, 2022

Towards higher nanopatterning resolution with molecules that fill nanogaps better

A research group from Tokyo University of Science has discovered molecular features that govern the filling process at nanoscales, enabling finer resolutions in ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. The findings provide valuable insights for guiding the selection and design of optimized resists for sub-10 nm resolution.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalNanomaterials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2022

Advances in lithium niobate photonics

Lithium niobate photonics has developed rapidly, enabling compact devices with high performance. Thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) structures have shown significant improvements in refractive index contrast, paving the way for more integrated photonic devices.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJun 23, 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.

Small structures on a large scale

Researchers from Paderborn University create a simple integrated quantum network using thin layers of lithium niobate to demonstrate large-scale functionalities. The project aims to develop scalable quantum components with industrial application potential.

SourceUniversität Paderborn·DateAug 30, 2021

Researchers invent method to 'sketch' quantum devices with focused electrons

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a technique to create quantum devices by 'sketching' patterns of electrons into programmable materials. This approach enables the creation of active nanostructured gates directly below two-dimensional materials like graphene, with feature sizes comparable to electron spacing.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 21, 2020

'Etch-a-Sketching' critical p-n nano-junctions for 2D Semiconductor diode

A team of researchers led by Elisa Riedo demonstrated a method for fabricating high-quality p-n junctions on single atomic layers of molybdenum disulfide, enabling bipolar conductivity in 2D semiconductors. The technique uses thermal scanning probe lithography to create nanoscale-resolution doping patterns.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2020

Surprisingly strong and deformable silicon

A team of researchers at ETH Zurich has made a groundbreaking discovery that silicon can be stronger and more deformable than previously thought. They found that by using a specific lithography method, silicon pillars could withstand much greater widths without breaking, offering new possibilities for the fabrication of micro-?electro-...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 10, 2020

Bubble group dancing

Researchers at Zhejiang University discovered a new type of bubbling mechanism that generates periodic and aperiodic bubbles with unique properties. This phenomenon has significant implications for industries such as heat transfer enhancement, mass transfer, and bubble motion control.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateApr 11, 2017
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

A big leap toward tinier lines

A team of researchers at MIT and University of Chicago has developed a self-assembly technique to produce narrow wires on microchips, breaking through fundamental limits in manufacturing processes. The new method uses block copolymers and could be scaled up for mass manufacturing with standard equipment.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 27, 2017

ASRC professor leads study on reconfigurable magnetic nanopatterns

A team of international scientists has demonstrated a novel approach for designing fully reconfigurable magnetic nanopatterns using thermal scanning probe lithography. This method offers researchers the opportunity to control magnetism at the nanoscale, enabling the development of novel metamaterials and computing devices.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 9, 2016

Self-stacking nanogrids

MIT researchers have developed a technique for stacking layers of block-copolymer wires, creating mesh structures with potential applications in memory and optical chips. The ability to easily produce these self-assembled structures could revolutionize the manufacturing process.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 2016

Engineers invent a bubble-pen to write with nanoparticles

Researchers developed bubble-pen lithography, a technique that uses microbubbles to inscribe nanoparticles onto a surface with precise control. This method allows for the creation of new materials and devices, such as metamaterials, with unique properties.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 14, 2016
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.

Moving origami techniques forward for self-folding 3-D structures

A team at UMass Amherst has developed an approach to make reversibly self-folding origami structures on small length scales. They use ultraviolet photolithographic patterning of photo-crosslinkable polymers to create complex structures that can be folded and redeployed.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 8, 2015

Sharpening the focus in quantum photolithography

A new quantum lithography protocol developed by George Miroshnichenko improves the resolution of photolithography technology. The protocol addresses physical limitations caused by light diffraction, allowing for narrower stripes and higher-contrast edges on semiconductors.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateDec 17, 2013

Silver nanocubes make super light absorbers

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new method to create large-area absorbers using silver nanocubes, which can control the absorption of electromagnetic waves. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective devices for applications such as sensors and solar cells.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·DateDec 6, 2012
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

UMD advance lights possible path to creating next-gen computer chips

University of Maryland researchers introduce a technique called RAPID lithography that uses visible light to create tiny integrated circuits comparable to shorter wavelength radiation. This breakthrough could lead to substantial savings in cost and ease of production for companies like Intel.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Chemistry·DateFeb 2, 2011

Yorkshire gets £4 million ($6.3 million) electron lithography facility

Researchers in Yorkshire will gain access to a state-of-the-art electron-beam lithography system to study novel magnetic materials and fabricate high-frequency electronics. The £4 million facility, supported by industrial funding, will enable the fabrication of nanostructures with features less than 10 nanometres in size.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateOct 20, 2010
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.

Two-faced miniatures

Researchers at MIT develop a new method to produce tiny particles with defined size and shape featuring regular patterns in two or three dimensions. The team creates Janus particles, microparticles with two chemically different hemispheres, using stop-flow interference lithography.

SourceWiley·DateNov 15, 2007

A new technique for building nanodevices in the lab

Researchers create microscopic devices as small as 10 nanometers, enabling simultaneous real-time atomic imaging and potential applications in sensors, electronics, and DNA sequencing. The new technique surpasses traditional methods, producing reliable metal nanostructures with novel mechanical properties.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 25, 2007

New 'liquid lens' data for immersion lithography

Researchers measured key properties of liquids using immersion lithography, including refractive index and molecular size. The NIST report provides useful trends and data to help identify suitable liquids or calibrate measurements.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalApplied Optics·DateMar 20, 2006

Predicting the lifetime of extreme ultraviolet optics

Researchers found that increasing water vapor levels caused less damage to mirrors, possibly due to increased ambient hydrocarbon levels. Introducing methanol mitigates water-induced damage, paving the way for accelerated testing and broader illumination capabilities.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateJul 14, 2005
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New technique aids nano-electronic manufacturing

Researchers have developed a new technique that allows for the creation of complex patterns in nano-electronics using self-assembling materials. This breakthrough enables the production of complex nano-electronic devices with non-regular geometries, which is crucial for advancing computer architecture by Moore's Law.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 2005

UO researchers learn to precisely control nanoparticle spacing

Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed a method to organize small gold nanoparticles into linear chains with controlled interparticle spacing, essential for creating electronic and optical applications. The technique uses DNA as a template and has high reproducibility, tolerance for structural defects, and high yield.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalLangmuir·DateJun 9, 2004

MIT's Nanoruler could impact space physics, more

The Nanoruler can pattern gratings with lines and spaces separated by a few hundred nanometers across large surfaces. This precision enables the analysis of light and decoding cosmic bar codes for space telescopes like NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 2, 2004