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Light-based sensor detects early molecular signs of cancer in the blood

Researchers developed a highly sensitive light-based sensor that can detect extremely low concentrations of cancer biomarkers in the blood. The sensor combines nanostructures made of DNA with quantum dots to detect faint biomarker signals, holding promise for early cancer diagnosis and personalized treatment options.

New device switches terahertz pulses between electric and magnetic skyrmions

Scientists have developed a new optical device that can generate both electric and magnetic vortex-ring-like light patterns, known as skyrmions. The device uses a nonlinear metasurface to achieve the first experimental demonstration of skyrmions that can be switched between electric and magnetic modes in toroidal terahertz light pulses.

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.

A single plate captures multiple frequencies at once

Researchers developed a new 'frequency-multiplexed elastic metasurface' that can precisely direct elastic waves at distinct frequencies onto different locations, enhancing signal intensity by up to 48 times. This technology breaks the conventional belief that one structure can perform only one function.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Columbia engineers introduce metasurfaces to 2D materials

Researchers at Columbia University have introduced metasurfaces to 2D materials, allowing for the enhancement of nonlinear optical properties and the creation of entangled photons. The technique, developed by Jim Schuck's team, shrinks nonlinear platforms to just 160 nanometers while maintaining high efficiency.

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.

Laser-drawn graphene metasurface turns electromagnetic waves on and off

A novel laser-induced graphene-based strategy has been demonstrated for direct 'drawing' of highly precise, patterned electromagnetic metasurfaces. The metasurface exhibits excellent switching behavior across various frequency bands, enabling rapid switching between wave transmission and shielding.

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.

Electrically tunable metasurface unlocks real-time THz holography

Researchers developed an electrically tunable metasurface for THz holographic devices, leveraging VO2's reversible transition to minimize energy consumption and response time. The microladder design enables real-time operation, fast switching times, and robust performance.

Ultrathin metasurface enables high-efficiency vectorial holography

Researchers develop a generic strategy for vectorial holography using ultrathin metasurfaces, enabling complex images with spatially varying polarization states. The method achieves high efficiency, outperforming previous systems, and has potential applications in optical encryption and anticounterfeiting.

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.

Noncommutative metasurfaces: Unlocking new dimensions of quantum entanglement

Noncommutative metasurfaces enable diverse path entanglement by exploiting interaction between metasurfaces and entangled photons, expanding quantum information processing capabilities. The research paves the way for high-dimensional information encoding in quantum communications and parallel processing in quantum computing.

Integrated transceiver-based 3D sensing using dispersion metasurfaces

Researchers developed a single-layer metasystem for 3D inspection of fine structural features, integrating transmission and reception functionalities into a compact architecture. The system achieves high accuracy, with lateral resolution errors under 10 µm and depth variations as fine as 20 µm.

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.

The magic of light: Dozens of images hidden in a single screen

A research team at POSTECH developed a metasurface technology that can display multiple high-resolution images on a single screen, overcoming conventional holographic limitations. The innovation uses nanostructure pillars to precisely manipulate light, allowing for different images based on wavelength and polarization direction.

Major step for flat and adjustable optics

Scientists at Linköping University have made a significant breakthrough in creating controllable flat optics using nanostructures on a flat surface. By precisely controlling the distance between antennas, they achieved up to tenfold improvement in performance, opening up new avenues for applications such as video holograms and biomedic...

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.

Achromatic metasurface waveguide: Pioneering a new era in AR displays

Researchers developed an innovative solution combining inverse-designed metasurface couplers and high-refractive-index waveguides to eliminate chromatic dispersion in AR displays. The single-layer design simplifies manufacturing while enhancing system performance, positioning it as a promising technology for next-generation AR devices.

Doubling down on metasurfaces

A new bilayer metasurface, made of two stacked layers of titanium dioxide nanostructures, has been created by Harvard researchers. This device can precisely control the behavior of light, including polarization, and opens up a new avenue for metasurfaces.

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.

Holograms with a twist: Entangling light and information

Researchers have created quantum holograms using metasurfaces and nonlinear crystals, enabling precise control over entangled information. The technology holds promise for practical applications in quantum communication and anti-counterfeiting, with potential to increase information capacity and reduce system size.

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.

Eyepiece optics enabled by ultra-flat metasurfaces

Researchers have designed and demonstrated a large aperture, wide field of view eyepiece based on meta-optics, addressing challenges in miniaturizing and enhancing imaging systems. The doublet system employing two layers of meta-optics achieves high-quality imaging up to 60° full field of view.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Electromagnetic metamaterial agent

The metaAgent system leverages various sensors to interpret environmental information and independently execute actions, such as real-time user tracking and vital sign monitoring. It utilizes large foundation models to reason and plan tasks without human intervention.

The art and science of twisting light

A team of researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design has developed a new type of metasurface that can generate circularly polarized light without complex optical setups. The metasurface exhibits chirality, enabling it to convert arbitrary optical excitation into circularly polarized light at specific frequency ranges.

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.

SNU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's Optical Engineering and Quantum Electronics Laboratory develops ultra-compact camera technology optimized for VR/AR devices

Researchers at Seoul National University's Optical Engineering and Quantum Electronics Laboratory developed an optical design technology that dramatically reduces the volume of cameras with a folded lens system utilizing metasurfaces. The new lens system achieves a thickness of 0.7mm, making it suitable for ultra-compact devices such a...

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.

Silicon metasurfaces unlock broad-spectrum infrared imaging.

Researchers have developed a new approach to infrared imaging using silicon metasurfaces, enabling broadband imaging across a wide spectrum. This breakthrough technology offers a promising solution for advanced infrared imaging applications, overcoming current limitations of bulky and power-hungry cameras.

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 bolts about it: New technology improves structural strength

Researchers have developed functional interlocking metasurfaces that offer more structural strength and stability than traditional techniques like bolts and adhesives. These metasurfaces can selectively disengage and re-engage on demand while maintaining consistent joint strength.

Shrinking AR displays into eyeglasses to expand their use

A team of researchers has developed a compact augmented reality (AR) display that can be integrated into eyeglasses, significantly improving image quality and field of view. The new technology combines two optical technologies to create a high-resolution AR system with minimal distortions.

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.

Color coded metadevices toward programmed terahertz switching

Scientists create integrated metadevice that combines optical and terahertz metasurfaces, enabling 2-bit terahertz code modulation with ultrafast modulation within 1 ns. The device uses photonic crystals to control its non-radiative loss for ultrafast modulation behavior.

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.

Metalenses phase characterization by multi-distance phase retrieval

Researchers developed a new phase characterization method for metalenses based on multi-distance phase retrieval through optical field scanning. This innovative approach overcomes traditional interferometric techniques' limitations, enabling the measurement of phase distributions and wavefront errors with higher accuracy.