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Tetrahedrons assemble! Three-sided pyramids form 2D structures

Researchers at Rice University have created 2D chiral superstructures using three-sided pyramids, which could lead to breakthroughs in metamaterials. The structures, composed of ultrathin assemblies of particles, incorporate left-handed and right-handed domains and exhibit unique optical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Chiral sources for metamaterial interface waveguides

A new broadband near-field chiral source enables comparison of different edge states to advance applications in integrated photonics and wireless devices. The research advances the field of chiral photonics science, promoting applications of chiral-sorting technology for microwave metadevices.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 19, 2022

Tiny lab on a chip

Researchers at Osaka University have created a microfluidic system that can detect minute changes in the concentration of trace amounts of ethanol, glucose, or minerals in water using terahertz radiation. The device achieved sensitivity levels an order of magnitude better than existing microfluidic chips.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Physics Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Smart implants to monitor healing

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed self-powered smart implants that can monitor spinal fusion healing in real-time. The implants use a new class of multifunctional mechanical metamaterials to record pressure and stresses, generating their own power and providing crucial information about the healing process.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJun 23, 2022

Metamaterial enabled arbitrary on-chip spatial mode manipulation

Scientists develop a universal design framework for arbitrary on-chip spatial mode control using metamaterial building blocks, enabling record-high order mode up to the 20th. The method supports high-efficiency integrated photonic communication systems and boosts development of various information processing fields.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJun 6, 2022

‘Beam-steering’ technology takes mobile communications beyond 5G

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a new beam-steering antenna that increases data transmission efficiency, particularly at higher frequencies. The technology is fully compatible with existing 5G specifications and has been demonstrated to provide unprecedented data transmission efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·DateJun 3, 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.

Using origami and kirigami to inspire reconfigurable yet structural materials

McGill University researchers have created a class of cellular metamaterials that can flat-fold and lock into positions that remain stiff across multiple directions. These materials offer unprecedented properties for deployable structures such as submarines, robots, and low-volume packaging.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2022

Custom ‘headphones’ boost atomic radio reception 100-fold

NIST researchers have developed a new atomic radio receiver that boosts signal strength 100-fold by enclosing cesium atoms in a custom copper structure resembling headphones. The structure acts as a split-ring resonator, enhancing the incoming radio signal and enabling the detection of weaker signals.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2022

Floquet matter and metamaterials: Time to join forces

The study explores the synergy between Floquet matter and metamaterials, enabling nonreciprocal propagation, time-reversal, and novel optical gain. Periodic temporal modulation can produce a synthetic effective magnetic field in topological insulators, opening new avenues for wave control.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateMay 19, 2022

Teaching physics to AI makes the student a master

Researchers at Duke University have developed a machine learning algorithm that incorporates known physics into neural networks, allowing for new insights into material properties and more efficient predictions. The approach helps the algorithm attain transparency and accuracy, even with limited training data.

SourceDuke University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Rice ‘metalens’ could disrupt vacuum UV market

Researchers at Rice University have created a 'metalens' that transforms long-wave UV-A into a focused output of vacuum UV radiation. The technology uses nanophotonics to impart a phase shift on incoming light, redirecting it and generating VUV without the need for specialized equipment.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 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.

Metamaterial significantly enhances the chiral nanoparticle signals

A research team developed a technology to increase chirality between light and nanoparticles using metamaterials, significantly strengthening the signal. This allows for the accurate structural analysis of chiral nanoparticles with high precision.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalACS Photonics·DateApr 28, 2022

Ultracompact Meta-imagers for Arbitrary All-optical Convolution

Researchers have developed a new type of meta-imager that enables arbitrary all-optical convolution for AI and image processing. The meta-imager combines a metalens with a complex-amplitude modulator to perform convolutional operations in parallel, at the speed of light.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMar 27, 2022

Unexplored dimensions of porous metamaterials

By slicing a block of elastomer with a periodic array of holes at a 45-degree angle, researchers discovered new properties and opened up new applications for this long-studied group of materials. This change in surface morphology can alter friction between the material and an underlying surface.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalExtreme Mechanics Letters·DateMar 18, 2022
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.

JHU-created material could lead to stronger, lighter and safer helmets and vehicles

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University created a lightweight, reusable material that can absorb extreme energy impacts like metal, offering improved protection for helmets, body armor, and vehicles. The new foam-like material could lead to stronger, lighter, and safer protective gear.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 8, 2022

New approach to flexible robotics and metamaterials design mimics nature, encourages sustainability

A new study employs computer algorithms to design multimaterial structures mimicking natural designs for efficient actuators and energy absorbers. The approach enables the creation of sustainable devices with reusable and fully recoverable energy dissipators.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 28, 2022
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 develop methodology for streamlined control of material deformation

The study reveals that a single folding mechanism can generate an infinite family of shapes in flexible structures. Researchers have developed a novel approach to predict and control tough, flexible structures from skyscrapers to microscale using conformal deformations.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2022

A new, nanoscale, 3D structure to control light

Researchers at Penn State developed a computational optimizer to design a 3D unit cell with cube-shaped cavities that enables asymmetric transmission of linearly polarized light across a wide frequency range. The optimized design was successfully fabricated and tested, demonstrating robust optical properties.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 2, 2022

Making object invisible under fluid flow

Researchers develop simplified version of large-scale invisibility cloak using fluid dynamics, controlling fluid flow speed and direction. The technique uses varying fluid channel thickness to conceal obstacles, restoring original streamline paths.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 7, 2022
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.

Creating invisibility with superconducting materials

Researchers have discovered a new material, α-MoO3, that can be used to create invisibility concentrators with improved performance and lower production costs. The study suggests the use of α-MoO3 to control energy flow and scatter light, enabling the creation of devices with near-perfect invisibility.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalNanophotonics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 21, 2021

CityU physicists discovered special transverse sound wave

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have discovered a new type of sound wave that vibrates transversely and carries both spin and orbital angular momentum like light. This finding provides new degrees of freedom for sound manipulations, enabling unprecedented acoustic communications and sensing capabilities.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2021

Origami, kirigami inspire mechanical metamaterials designs

Researchers categorize origami- and kirigami-based mechanical metamaterials into six groups based on folding and cutting patterns. Hybrid designs offer great potential for shape morphing and real-world applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateNov 23, 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.

No ohmic loss! Electromagnetic zero-index metamaterials

Scientists design a special metamaterial that achieves 'zero index' with infinite effective spatial wavelength, overcoming limitations of short spatial wavelength in the optical regime. DCZIMs offer advantages over other mechanisms, including no ohmic losses and scalable fabricating using standard planar processes.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateNov 17, 2021

Experimental demonstration of negative refraction at visible frequency

Researchers at POSTECH demonstrate experimental demonstration of negative refraction at visible frequency for the first time, achieving high-resolution images beyond diffraction limit. The study uses a vertical hyperbolic metamaterial to exhibit negative refraction in entire visible domain, overcoming limitations of conventional materi...

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNanophotonics·DateNov 15, 2021

Simple silicon coating solves long-standing optical challenge

Researchers at Harvard SEAS developed a new silicon coating that counters chromatic dispersion in transparent materials like glass. The ultra-thin coating uses precisely designed silicon pillars to capture and re-emitting red light, allowing slower-moving blue light to catch up.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 11, 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.

An artificial material that can sense, adapt to its environment

Researchers at University of Missouri and University of Chicago develop an artificial material that can respond to its environment, make decisions, and perform actions not directed by humans. The material uses a computer chip to control information processing and convert energy into mechanical energy.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2021

Ultra-broadband sound absorber

Researchers create ultra-broadband sound absorber with an average absorption coefficient of 0.93, surpassing previous limitations. The metamaterial's design utilizes near-field non-locality to suppress excessive response and achieve efficient impedance matching.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateOct 29, 2021

Metamaterial eENZ can control correlations of light

A team at Tampere University has created a metamaterial eENZ mirror that can control the correlation properties of light, switching between high and low correlation states. By manipulating polarization, they achieve near-perfect coherence switching.

SourceTampere University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 2021

Holey metalens!

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed a metasurface using ultra-deep holes to focus light to a single spot, achieving a record-breaking aspect ratio of nearly 30:1. This breakthrough enables the creation of large achromatic metalenses with diverse color control capabilities.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 13, 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.

Microscopic metavehicles powered by nothing but light

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have created microscopic metavehicles that can be controlled and maneuvered using light. By layering an optical metasurface onto a particle and using a light source to control it, the vehicles can move in complex patterns and even transport other objects.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2021

Inspired by metamorphosis, researchers create materials for shape-shifting architecture

Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a class of materials that can change their fundamental architecture, inspired by nature's metamorphosis. The metamorphosis system involves connecting kirigami units to create structures capable of bearing significant weight and transforming into different architectures.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalMaterials Today Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2021

Highly efficient vibration concentration by disordered metamaterials

Scientists at Huazhong University of Sci. & Tech. present a soft and disordered hyperuniform elastic metamaterial (DHEM) that achieves remarkably high efficiency vibration concentration in broad frequency band, reaching up to ~4000 enhancement factor. The DHEM design covers a range of frequencies from ~100 Hz to ~10 kHz.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateSep 7, 2021

Researchers develop novel analog processor for high performance computing

Researchers at George Washington University have created a nanophotonic analog processor capable of solving partial differential equations. The processor can process arbitrary inputs at the speed of light and is integrated at chip-scale.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 27, 2021

‘Shadow waveguide’ casts complex acoustic patterns to control particles

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new approach to using sound waves to manipulate tiny particles suspended in liquid in complex ways. The 'shadow waveguide' technique creates a tightly confined, spatially complex acoustic field inside a chamber without requiring any interior structure.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2021
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.

Using bioinspired microvasculature to control material properties

The researchers created a new vascular metamaterial that can be reconfigured to modify its thermal and electromagnetic properties. The microvasculature is made using 3D printing technologies, allowing engineers to create networks of tiny tubes in various shapes and sizes.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2021

New algorithm can help improve cellular materials design

A new algorithm can help engineers predict how cellular materials will react to different loads, conditions, and constraints. The research found that this approach can achieve extreme mechanical properties, including negative Poisson's ratio and elastic modulus.

SourceSwansea University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 13, 2021

Metamaterials research challenges fundamental limits in photonics

Researchers at Cornell University propose a new way to modulate metamaterials' absorptive and refractive qualities in real-time, increasing their effectiveness. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new metamaterials with improved wave absorption and scattering properties.

SourceCornell University·JournalOptica·DateAug 10, 2021
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.

Inkjet printing 'impossible materials'

Researchers created metamaterials using low-cost inkjet printing with potential implications for telecommunications, GPS, and medical devices. The materials can be electrically tuned to adjust their properties, enabling the design of unconventional mirrors, lenses, and filters.

SourceTufts University·JournalNature Electronics·DateJun 21, 2021

Topology-changing broadband metamaterials enabled by closable nanotrenches

Researchers at UNIST developed mechanically closable nanotrenches to switch optical functionalities in a repeatable manner. These findings enable nonlinear switching of metamaterial multifunctionalities with applications in various fields including 6G communication frequency control.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 12, 2021

Novel materials: Sound waves traveling backwards

Scientists have designed metamaterials that can produce rotons, quasiparticles that behave like free particles, without using quantum effects under normal conditions. These materials could enable the manipulation of sound waves in ways previously impossible, such as bouncing or redirecting them.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 10, 2021
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 turned transparent calcite into artificial gold

Scientists at Tel Aviv University developed a nanotechnology that transforms transparent calcite into a sparkling gold-like particle. The new material can serve as a platform for innovative cancer treatments and offers a biofriendly delivery of optical resonances, enabling multifunctionality in biomedical systems.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 10, 2021

Acoustical evolution increases battle between predator, prey

Researchers discover moths have evolved acoustic metamaterials on their wings to absorb ultrasound, outsmarting bats. This adaptation decreases echo return and enhances insect survival, with scales tuned to different frequencies forming a broadband absorption array.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateJun 9, 2021

Self-aware materials build the foundation for living structures

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new class of self-aware metamaterials that can sense pressure, stresses, and generate power. These materials are scalable, efficient, and can be used in various civil, aerospace, and biomedical engineering applications.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNano Energy·DateJun 1, 2021
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.

Metamaterial tiles boost sensitivity of large telescopes

Researchers developed low-cost, mass-producible metamaterial tiles to absorb environmental emissions and improve telescope sensitivity. The tiles enabled unprecedented sensitivity in measuring the cosmic microwave background, transforming our understanding of the universe's beginning and evolution.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateJan 26, 2021

Defects may help scientists understand the exotic physics of topology

Researchers at the University of Illinois used artificial materials with defects to study topological features and demonstrate a practical approach for exploring unconventional materials. They created a method for trapping fractional charges on disclination defects, which signals the presence of certain kinds of topology.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature·DateJan 21, 2021

New metamaterial offers reprogrammable properties

Researchers have developed a new metamaterial that can be reprogrammed after creation, offering potential for dynamic materials with adaptive stiffness and strength. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for industries ranging from healthcare to aerospace.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJan 20, 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.

Oddly satisfying metamaterials store energy in their skin

Purdue University scientists have created a patterned sheet of domes that can store energy in its skin, enabling strong mechanical tasks and programmable data processing. The technology has potential applications in flexible robotics and mechanical computing, where energy storage and efficient processing are crucial.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateDec 2, 2020

Shining a light on nanoscale dynamics

Researchers from University of Konstanz and LMU Munich demonstrate ultrafast electron diffraction to uncover nanomaterials' functionality. They observe quantum mechanical phase shift through interaction with light waves, providing a movie-like sequence of images revealing fundamental light-matter interactions.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 24, 2020

Moths strike out in evolutionary arms race with sophisticated wing design

Researchers discovered the precise construction of moths wings that enable extraordinary ultrasound-absorptive properties, creating a resonant absorber 100 times thinner than sound wavelength. This breakthrough inspires the design of ultra-thin sound absorbers for homes and offices.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2020
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.

Army, MIT explore materials for transforming robots made of robots

Scientists from the US Army and MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms created a new way to link materials with unique mechanical properties, enabling the design of modular materials with tailored properties. This could lead to dynamic structures that can reconfigure on their own, such as swarms of robots forming bridges.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 19, 2020

Hyperbolic metamaterials exhibit 2T physics

Researchers have experimentally observed effective gravity and two-time physics in ferrofluid-based hyperbolic metamaterials, paving the way for ultra-fast all-optical hypercomputing. This phenomenon has potential applications in time-sensitive fields such as real-time computing and target recognition.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateSep 21, 2020