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Trapping tiny particles: A versatile tool for nanomanipulation

Scientists have created a technique for precise nanoparticle trapping using metamaterials, overcoming size restrictions and enabling long-term stability. This breakthrough has far-reaching potential for biomedical science applications, including cancer research and imaging.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 26, 2020

First confirmation of new theory by metamaterial

Physicists at the University of Würzburg have experimentally confirmed a new theory on topological metamaterials, which exhibit extraordinary properties. The study shows that all states localize at the edge of the material, a phenomenon known as the non-Hermitian skin effect.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 10, 2020

VR and AR devices at 1/100 the cost and 1/10,000 the thickness in the works

A South Korean research team has developed moldable nanomaterials and a one-step printing technology to produce ultrathin metalens that are 100 times thinner than human hair. The new technology reduces production costs by 1/100, making VR/AR devices more accessible.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 19, 2020
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.

Broadband enhancement relies on precise tilt

Researchers developed a quantum photonics prototype using hyperbolic metamaterials to achieve high-efficiency single-photon sources with broad spectral bandwidth. The tilted geometry suppresses light reflections, enabling faster photon extraction and paving the way for on-chip quantum networks.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateMay 5, 2020

Virtualized metamaterials open door for acoustics application and beyond

Researchers from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have developed virtualized acoustic metamaterials that can be tuned flexibly using software programs. This technology enables a range of applications including broadband stealth, active sound absorption, super-resolution imaging, and beyond.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 3, 2020
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.

In acoustic waves, engineers break reciprocity with 'spacetime-varying metamaterials'

Researchers have demonstrated the ability to break reciprocity in acoustic waves using spacetime-varying metamaterials. The materials' properties change simultaneously in time and space, allowing for non-reciprocal wave behavior. This breakthrough has potential applications in fields like communications, medicine, and electronics.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateFeb 17, 2020

Harnessing the domino effect for deployable structures

A team of researchers from Harvard SEAS has designed deployable dome using bistable joints linked by rigid bars, demonstrating the potential for morphing surfaces, reconfigurable devices, and controlled energy absorption

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020

Induced flaws in metamaterials can produce useful textures and behavior

Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered how induced defects in metamaterials produce radically different consistencies and behaviors. The study has far-reaching applications, including protecting fragile components in car crashes and manipulating distant objects using minimally invasive surgery.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 5, 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.

Bridging surface plasmon polaritons and the digital world

Researchers have made breakthrough in bridging the gap between surface plasmon polaritons and the digital world by developing active digital spoof plasmonics. This technology enables real-time manipulation of confined electromagnetic waves, opening up new avenues for novel system applications.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateNov 22, 2019

Artificial materials reconstruct the porpoise's echolocation

Scientists create a physical model of porpoise echolocation using hybrid metamaterials, which improves detection accuracy and suppresses environment noise. This breakthrough bridges the gap between biosonar and artificial systems, paving the way for bioinspired technology in underwater sensing and nondestructive testing.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateSep 19, 2019

Researchers use metamaterials to create two-part optical security features

New optical security features use a two-piece metamaterial system to create difficult-to-replicate optical phenomena, making it harder to counterfeit money or intercept secure information. The approach offers improved forgery protection and can be used for various applications, including banknotes and identification cards.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 12, 2019

New metamaterial morphs into new shapes, taking on new properties

Researchers developed a tunable metamaterial that can change shape in response to electrical control, exhibiting unique mechanical and vibrational properties. This breakthrough has potential applications in next-generation energy storage systems and bio-implantable micro-devices.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateSep 11, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers demonstrate first all-metamaterial optical gas sensor

The new sensor uses metamaterials to eliminate the need for a dielectric filter, reducing size and energy consumption. It can detect gas concentrations with high sensitivity, using less energy than commercial systems, making it ideal for automotive, consumer electronics, and medical applications.

SourceOptica·DateAug 29, 2019

NUS 'smart' textiles boost connectivity between wearable sensors by 1,000 times

Researchers from NUS have invented a new way for wearable devices to interconnect using conductive textiles, allowing for more efficient data transmission and improved privacy. The 'wireless body sensor network' enables devices to transmit signals with 1,000 times stronger signal strength than conventional technologies.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Electronics·DateJul 16, 2019
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.

Scientists take a 'metamaterials' approach to earthquake damage

Researchers are investigating whether metamaterial concept can be scaled up to city size to reduce earthquake damage. Simulations show that structures act as resonators, plucking energy from Rayleigh waves, and optimal building arrangement could reduce damage by decreasing height radially inward.

SourceSeismological Society of America·DateApr 26, 2019

Cui, Hensleigh, Chen and Zheng awarded the JMR Paper of the Year

Huachen Cui, Ryan Hensleigh, Hongshun Chen and Xiaoyu Zheng won the JMR Paper of the Year Award for their work on additive manufacturing and high-temperature ceramic metamaterials. The paper demonstrates an approach to fabricate three-dimensional microarchitected materials with high specific strength.

SourceCambridge University Press·DateApr 24, 2019
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 3D print metamaterials with novel optical properties

Engineers at Tufts University have created novel optical devices using 3D printed metamaterials with unique microwave or optical properties. The researchers developed a hybrid fabrication approach to create complex geometries and novel functionalities for wavelengths in the microwave range.

SourceTufts University·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·DateApr 8, 2019

Intelligent metamaterials behave like electrostatic chameleons

A new class of intelligent metamaterials, called metashells, has been developed to respond to nearby objects. These materials can change their physical characteristics, such as permittivity, in accordance with the electromagnetic properties of the material they contain, enabling adaptive behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateApr 2, 2019
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.

4D-printed materials can be stiff as wood or soft as sponge

Rutgers engineers created flexible, lightweight materials that change shape with temperature, enabling better shock absorption and morphing airplane or drone wings. The materials can be reshaped and returned to their original form on demand, opening up possibilities for soft robotics, tiny implantable biomedical devices, and more.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMaterials Horizons·DateMar 22, 2019

Penn engineers demonstrate metamaterials that can solve equations

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have demonstrated a device that uses metamaterials to solve integral equations, a common problem in science and engineering. The device operates as an analog computer with light, solving problems orders of magnitude faster than digital computers.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScience·DateMar 21, 2019

BU researchers develop 'acoustic metamaterial' that cancels sound

Boston University researchers created an open, ringlike structure that perfectly cancels out sounds while maintaining airflow, silencing nearly all noise from a loudspeaker. The acoustic metamaterial can be customized to fit various environments, including drones, fans, and MRI machines.

SourceBoston University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateMar 7, 2019
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.

Scientists design new material to harness power of light

Researchers at UMass Lowell have created a new class of metamaterial that can change the color of light, enabling on-chip optical communication. This technology could lead to smaller, faster, and more efficient computer chips with wider bandwidth and better data storage.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Lowell·JournalOptica·DateDec 17, 2018

Physicists name and codify new field in nanotechnology: 'electron quantum metamaterials'

Researchers Nathaniel Gabor and Justin C. W. Song propose a new field of study, electron quantum metamaterials, which involves manipulating electrons in subwavelength structures to exhibit unusual behavior. This field has the potential to produce radically new phenomena, such as superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 5, 2018

Invisible needles

Researchers from Politecnico di Torino and NUST MISIS create a new metamaterial that cloaks nano-sensors, improving their accuracy in optics and biomedicine. The development is part of the Italian-Russian project ANASTASIA, funded by Compagnia di San Paolo.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 28, 2018
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.

Sandia light mixer generates 11 colors simultaneously

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a tiny synthetic material that can mix two laser pulses to produce 11 new colors, offering potential applications in fields such as archaeology, extraterrestrial life detection, and fiber-optics communication. The metamaterial's efficiency is currently low, but further work aim...

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 28, 2018

Cloaking devices -- it's not just 'Star Trek' anymore

Acoustic cloaking technology has been developed by researchers at Penn State University, which uses metamaterials to bend sound waves around an object, making it appear invisible to underwater instruments. The team successfully tested their design using a 3-foot-tall pyramid structure in an underwater research tank.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 10, 2018

3-D printed active metamaterials for sound and vibration control

The new 3D printed metamaterials, developed by researchers at the University of Southern California, can block sound waves and mechanical vibrations remotely using a magnetic field. They have the potential to be used for noise cancellation, vibration control, and sonic cloaking.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 11, 2018

Quantum control

Researchers have developed a quantum metamaterial composed of twin qubits, which can be used as a control element in superconducting electronic devices. The material exhibits unique properties that disappear when separated into its components, making it a promising candidate for future applications.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 23, 2018

Push to twist: Achieving the classically impossible in human-made material

Scientists create 3D metamaterials that twist when compressed using computer simulations and laser microprinting. The material can respond in a chiral way, challenging classical solid mechanics, and could have applications in space missions, optics, and prosthetics.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2017
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.

New quantum materials offer novel route to 3-D electronic devices

Researchers have discovered a new way to simulate Einstein's theory of general relativity in electronic systems, enabling the creation of 3D electron lenses and electronic invisibility devices. The discovery uses Weyl metamaterials, which combine ideas from solid-state physics, particle physics, and cosmology.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 7, 2017

Beyond good vibrations: New insights into metamaterial magic

Researchers at Michigan Technological University have discovered that the shape and repetitive organization of building blocks within metamaterials affect refraction, contradicting previous assumptions. This finding has significant implications for the development of devices such as invisibility cloaks and perfect lenses.

SourceMichigan Technological University·DateNov 6, 2017

Spin-current generation gets mid-IR boost with plasmonic metamaterial

Researchers in Japan have developed a wavelength-selective plasmonic metamaterial absorber to enhance the generation of spin currents from heat produced in the mid-infrared regime. The unique combination enables stronger light absorption and shows excellent tenability of these metamaterials' resonance wavelengths.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateOct 10, 2017
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.

Nearly $8 million awarded to advance engineered metamaterials research

A Penn State researcher has been awarded nearly $8 million by DARPA, the US Navy, and Lockheed Martin to continue his work on engineered metamaterials. The project aims to develop new algorithms and simulation tools for designing optical materials, with potential applications in electromagnetic cloaking technology.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 18, 2017

3-D printers open new design space for wireless devices

Duke researchers have created 3D-printed electromagnetic metamaterials with potential to revolutionize the design and prototyping of radio frequency applications. The use of a highly conductive material, Electrifi, enables rapid construction of complex devices and accelerates the design process.

SourceDuke University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 4, 2017

Quantum mechanics are complex enough, for now...

Researchers have tested an alternative version of quantum mechanics that uses hyper-complex numbers, predicting new effects and commutation properties. The study found no need for these alternative rules to describe the experiment, but emphasizes the need for further testing.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 21, 2017
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.

Gold-plated crystals set new standard for natural gas detectors

Researchers at Duke University have developed a sensor that detects specific wavelengths of electromagnetic energy using gold-plated crystals. The technology outperforms existing detectors in size, weight, power, speed and cost, making it ideal for detecting methane or natural gas leaks, monitoring crop health and recycling plastics.

SourceDuke University·JournalOptica·DateApr 6, 2017

Legos and origami inspire next-generation materials

A team of researchers has designed a standard set of building-blocks to assemble complex structures and engineer arbitrary 3D metamaterials. The breakthrough aims to overcome the bottleneck in translating scientific progress to commercial applications.

SourceTianjin University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2017

Sound-shaping super-material invented

Researchers have invented a super-material that bends, shapes and focuses sound waves, pushing the boundaries of metamaterials. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize medical imaging and personal audio, allowing for precise control over sound waves.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 27, 2017

In great shape

Berger's Isomax material achieves low density and uncommon strength, making it suitable for various applications such as aerospace structures and robotic machines. The study's findings support the concept's potential for efficient fabrication and manufacturing.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateFeb 21, 2017
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.

New engineered material can cool roofs, structures with zero energy consumption

Researchers developed a scalable metamaterial film that efficiently reflects solar energy while allowing objects to shed heat through infrared thermal radiation. The material has been successfully tested in field trials, demonstrating significant radiative cooling powers even under direct sunlight with zero energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience·DateFeb 9, 2017

New metamaterial can switch from hard to soft -- and back again

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a novel metamaterial that can switch between being hard and soft, maintaining its properties despite repeated changes. This breakthrough enables potential applications in various fields, including car safety and rocket technology.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 23, 2017

A toolkit for transformable materials

Researchers from Harvard have developed a general framework to design reconfigurable metamaterials. This tool allows for the creation of materials that can switch between multiple functions and shapes autonomously, enabling new possibilities in structural engineering, aerospace, and beyond.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature·DateJan 18, 2017
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.

Metamaterials open up entirely new possibilities in optics

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a method to manipulate light using metamaterials, allowing it to follow any predetermined path along a surface. This innovation has vast applications in optical chips for reliable data delivery and faster routers.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateNov 29, 2016

3-D-printed structures shrink when heated

Researchers at MIT have created tiny, star-shaped structures that shrink in size when heated to 540 degrees Fahrenheit. The structures, made from interconnected beams with different thermal expansion coefficients, exhibit negative thermal expansion and may enable applications in heat-resistant circuit boards.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 25, 2016