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Shape-changing metamaterial developed using Kirigami technique

Engineers from the University of Bristol have developed a new shape-changing metamaterial using Kirigami, a class of material engineered to produce unusual properties. The Kirigami metamaterial can seamlessly change shape, exhibits large variations in mechanical performance with small geometry changes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2016
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.

Flexible building blocks of the future

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have created a new approach to manufacturing mechanical metamaterials that can deform in a complex manner. This breakthrough may lead to more comfortable and user-friendly prosthetics, as well as applications in soft robotics and wearable technologies.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2016

Superheroes are real

Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University demonstrated the effect of all-optical switching between streams of photons using non-linear metamaterials, which can manipulate photons in a new way. This breakthrough could lead to faster data transfer and high-speed communication technologies.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 23, 2016

Distance wireless charging enhanced by magnetic metamaterials

Scientists have developed a system that can efficiently transfer electrical energy between separated circuits using metamaterials. This breakthrough enables wireless charging of mobile devices at longer distances than current technology.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 10, 2016

Light-powered 3-D printer creates terahertz lens

The new lens uses metamaterials and 3D printing to counter the intrinsic imperfections of typical lenses, enabling flawless images without additional corrective components. The technology has potential applications in biomedical research and security imaging, making terahertz imaging cheaper, higher resolution, and more available.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateApr 29, 2016

Nanomaterial to drive new generation of solar cells: ANU media release

Researchers have discovered a new metamaterial that radiates heat in specific directions, making it ideal for use with thermophotovoltaic cells. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient cells that harvest heat from surroundings and convert it into electricity.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 18, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

CWRU researchers make biosensor 1 million times more sensitive

Case Western Reserve University scientists develop an optical sensor using nanostructured metamaterials, enabling detection of single lightweight molecules in dilute solutions. The device has been shown to be 1 million times more sensitive than current methods, with potential applications for early cancer diagnosis and treatment.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 28, 2016

Metamaterial separation proposed for chemical, biomolecular uses

A Georgia Institute of Technology researcher proposes a new directional separation technique using metamaterials, cloaking one compound while concentrating another. The technique could help reduce energy required for certain chemical and biomolecular processes.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 2016

Nature Materials: Smallest lattice structure worldwide

Researchers from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed the world's smallest lattice structure made of glassy carbon, with struts and braces less than 200 nm in diameter. The structure boasts higher specific strength than most solids and has potential applications as electrodes, filters, or optical components.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 2, 2016
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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Metamaterials boost sensitivity of MRI machines

The technology uses metamaterials to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in higher-resolution images and faster scanning times. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics, particularly in cancer detection and tissue analysis.

SourceITMO University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 14, 2016

New metamaterial manipulates sound to improve acoustic imaging

Researchers have developed a metamaterial that can more than double the resolution of acoustic imaging, focus acoustic waves, and control angles. This breakthrough has potential applications in medical diagnostics and structural integrity testing.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 16, 2015

Penn researchers make thinnest plates that can be picked up by hand

Penn researchers develop ultra-thin aluminum oxide plates with nanoscale thickness, exhibiting remarkable mechanical strength and stiffness. These corrugated plates, like an egg carton on the nanoscale, can bend, twist, and recover their shape without additional support.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 3, 2015

New research exploits extraordinary properties of graphene

Researchers have developed a new hybrid structure that interacts strongly with electromagnetic radiation, enabling control over optical switches. The graphene-based material has the effect of focusing radiation into a smaller area than its wavelength.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 27, 2015
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.

A thermal invisibility cloak actively redirects heat

A new thermal cloak developed by researchers in Singapore can render objects thermally invisible by redirecting incident heat. The active thermal cloaking system has the potential to fine-tune temperature distribution and heat flow in electronic and semiconductor systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 21, 2015

Helping Siri hear through a cocktail party

A new sensor developed at Duke University uses metamaterials and compressive sensing to separate overlapping sounds in loud environments. The device achieved a 96.7% accuracy rate in distinguishing between three identical sounds sent from different directions.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 13, 2015

Bringing back the magic in metamaterials

Scientists have made significant progress in overcoming the challenges of creating a perfect lens using metamaterials. The team proposes a novel approach that utilizes negative index materials and plasmon-injection schemes to shield desired light waves, allowing them to pass through unscathed. This breakthrough has the potential to rev...

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 17, 2015
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.

Density-near-zero acoustical metamaterial made in China

Chinese scientists created a tunable membrane material that effectively recreates the quantum tunneling effect for sound waves. The material has an effective density near zero and enables high transmission around sharp corners and efficient wave splitting.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJul 14, 2015

Physicists fine-tune control of agile exotic materials

Researchers have successfully controlled the length and strength of waves of atomic motion, promising applications in fine-scale imaging and information transmission. Hybrid polaritons propagate throughout many layers of a crystalline material and can be tuned with an electronic gate.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 23, 2015

This Slinky lookalike 'hyperlens' helps us see tiny objects

Researchers developed a metamaterial hyperlens that can improve early cancer detection, nanoelectronic manufacturing, and single-molecule observation. The design overcomes diffraction limitations in the visible frequency range, enabling higher resolution imaging and potentially leading to breakthroughs in various fields.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 22, 2015
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.

Scientists create invisible objects without metamaterial cloaking

Researchers at ITMO University and Australian National University created an invisible cylindrical object in the microwave range without metamaterial coatings. The method is based on Fano resonances, where waves scattered via resonant and non-resonant mechanisms have opposite phases and are mutually destroyed.

SourceITMO University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 13, 2015

The building blocks of the future defy logic

Researchers at University of Malta develop a mathematical model to explain the unusual behavior of auxetic materials, which grow wider when stretched. The model has potential applications in biomedicine, catalysis, and smart materials for healthcare and beyond.

SourceUniversity of Malta·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 26, 2015

New design tool for metamaterials

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a new design tool to predict the nonlinear optical properties of metamaterials. This breakthrough enables efficient design and creation of high-performance materials for applications such as coherent Raman sensing, entangled photon generation, and frequency conversion.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 9, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Breakthrough lights up metamaterials

A City College of New York led-team successfully demonstrated enhancing light emission and capturing light from metamaterials with light emitting nanocrystals. The breakthrough could lead to practical applications in ultrafast LEDs, nanoscale lasers, and efficient single photon sources.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalOptica·DateJan 15, 2015

The accurate elastodynamic equations for inhomogeneous media

The study establishes form-invariance of electromagnetic, sound, and elastic wave equations without assuming relations between field variables. New locally accurate elastodynamic equations for inhomogeneous media are derived, leading to the design of perfect elastic wave rotators and cloaks.

SourceScience China Press·DateDec 23, 2014

Nanoshaping method points to future manufacturing technology

A team of researchers has developed a new method, laser shock imprinting, to create large-area patterns of three-dimensional nanoshapes from metal sheets. This technique enables the mass production of innovative materials with engineered surfaces that control light, potentially revolutionizing high-speed electronics, advanced sensors, ...

SourcePurdue University·JournalScience·DateDec 11, 2014
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.

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

New technique allows ultrasound to penetrate bone, metal

A new technique allows ultrasound to penetrate bone and metal, enabling medical professionals to monitor blood flow in the brain or treat brain tumors more effectively. The metamaterial structure offsets distortion caused by these 'aberrating layers,' increasing wave energy transmission by up to 88%.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 20, 2014

Three-dimensional metamaterials with a natural bent

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a method to manufacture highly symmetric, three-dimensional metamaterials with isotropic optical responses. The team created a large metamaterial, up to 4 mm x 4 mm2 in size, using a combination of top-down electron lithography and bottom-up self-folding mechanism.

SourceRIKEN·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateOct 24, 2014

Ph.D. designs new devices based on metamaterials

The researcher designed and manufactured new devices based on epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials, achieving high speed transmission and radiation focusing properties. The devices have potential applications in nanocircuits, electrical levitation, invisibility, and multiple-frequency spectroscopy experiments.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalJournal of Optics·DateOct 22, 2014
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.

Origami could lead to exotic materials, tiny transformers

Researchers at Cornell University discovered a way to control the stiffness of a sheet material using an origami folding pattern called Miura-ori. By introducing pop-through defects, they can program the material's properties, creating a programmable matter that can snap into place and perform mechanical functions.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateAug 7, 2014

Learning from origami to design new materials

Physicists and materials scientists are using origami-based folding methods to create controllable new materials that exhibit desired physical properties. The technique, known as Miura-ori, allows for the creation of programmable metamaterials with tunable stiffness and stability.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience·DateAug 7, 2014

New material puts a twist in light

Researchers have developed a new breed of metamaterials that can twist light's polarization, orders of magnitude stronger than natural materials. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of compact opto-electronic devices, such as light-based computer chips.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 18, 2014

New NIST metamaterial gives light a one-way ticket

Researchers at NIST have created a silver-glass metamaterial that enables one-way transmission of visible light, with around 30 times more light passing through in the forward direction than in reverse. The device has potential applications in optical information processing and biosensing devices.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 1, 2014
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.

Single-pixel 'multiplex' captures elusive terahertz images

A novel metamaterial enables fast, efficient and high-fidelity terahertz radiation imaging system capable of manipulating electromagnetic waves. The device uses a series of filter-like masks to retrieve multiple samples of a terahertz scene, which are reassembled by a single-pixel detector.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 29, 2014

KIT researchers protect the princess from the pea

KIT scientists create a volume in which an object can be hidden from touching, similar to a pea under the mattress of a princess. The mechanical invisibility cloak is based on a metamaterial structure that directs forces away from the object, making it invisible to touch.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 20, 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

Genetic approach helps design broadband metamaterial

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new metamaterial with high absorption over broad bandwidth, providing better protection against electromagnetic radiation. The material is designed using genetic algorithms and can be easily manufactured due to its simple layer structure.

SourcePenn State·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 5, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Revolutionary 'metamaterial' has potential to reshape neurosurgery

Researchers explore the capabilities of graphene-based metamaterials for various neurosurgical applications, including cancer treatment, neuroregeneration, and functional neurosurgery. Graphene's unique properties make it a promising material for developing new technologies in neurosurgery.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalNeurosurgery·DateApr 25, 2014

Researchers announce first phononic crystal that can be altered in real time

Acoustic metadevices enable the dynamic alteration of three-dimensional colloidal crystals' geometry in real-time. Researchers have developed reconfigurable metamaterials with potential applications in optics and acoustics, such as beam deflectors and acoustic barriers.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 31, 2014

A breakthrough in creating invisibility cloaks, stealth technology

Scientists have created artificial nanostructures called metamaterials that can bend light, enabling the creation of larger pieces of material with engineered optical properties. This breakthrough has the potential to produce practical devices for real-life applications, such as fighter jets remaining invisible from detection systems.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateMar 31, 2014

Scientists twist sound with metamaterials

Researchers have created an acoustic field rotator, a device that manipulates sound waves, using metamaterials. The device can rotate sound waves in a manner similar to electromagnetic or liquid wave counterparts, which could improve the operation of medical ultrasound machines and enhance image quality.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 25, 2014
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.

Highly efficient broadband terahertz radiation from metamaterials

Researchers at the Ames Laboratory have developed a new method to generate broadband terahertz waves using metamaterials. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize fields such as non-invasive imaging and sensing, as well as high-speed information communication, processing, and storage.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 17, 2014

'Superlens' extends range of wireless power transfer

Duke University researchers have successfully demonstrated wireless power transfer using a 'superlens' technology that focuses magnetic fields, enabling the transmission of power over distances much larger than traditional setups. This breakthrough could enable smaller, more practical wireless charging solutions for everyday use.

SourceDuke University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 10, 2014

Inverse design: New route to design a practical invisibility cloak

The article reviews alternative target-oriented invisibility strategy, referred to as an 'inverse design', which integrates the technical advantages of forward strategies. This approach uses anisotropic materials and non-superluminal propagation to provide cloaking performance with a relatively broad bandwidth.

SourceScience China Press·DateJan 6, 2014

Wireless device converts 'lost' energy into electric power

Researchers at Duke University designed a power-harvesting device that efficiently captures microwave signals and converts them into electrical current. The device has an energy conversion rate of 37%, comparable to solar cells.

SourceDuke University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 7, 2013
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.

'Metascreen' forms ultra-thin invisibility cloak

Scientists have created a metascreen cloak that can hide objects from microwaves, providing optimal functionality at specific frequencies and bandwidths. The researchers predict the technique's conformability and robustness will enable cloaking of oddly shaped objects.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateMar 25, 2013

Novel sensor provides bigger picture

The novel sensor uses a metamaterial to image scenes with fewer components, eliminating the need for lenses and mechanical positioners. This allows for faster and more efficient screening in security situations.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateJan 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
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.

Morphing DNA hydrogel flows like liquid but remembers its original shape

A new DNA hydrogel created by Cornell researchers exhibits unique properties, flowing like a liquid but returning to its original shape when placed in water. The material has potential applications in drug delivery and tissue rebuilding, with the ability to be formed into desired shapes.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 5, 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

'Metamaterials,' quantum dots show promise for new technologies

Scientists have developed a new type of nanostructured metamaterial that can dramatically change the properties of light, leading to potential breakthroughs in advanced solar cells and quantum computing. The metamaterial combines layers of silver and titanium oxide with tiny quantum dots, resulting in hyperbolic light behavior.

SourcePurdue University·JournalScience·DateMay 24, 2012
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.

Mystifying materials

Researchers at Northwestern University have designed new metamaterials that exhibit negative compressibility transitions, where they contract when tensioned and expand when compressed. This discovery may enable new applications in protective mechanical devices and actuators.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 23, 2012