Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

A new tractor beam technology aims to minimize biopsy trauma

Researchers at the University of Melbourne have developed a compact, high-efficiency metasurface-enabled solenoid beam that can draw particles toward it. The technology has the potential to reduce pain and trauma associated with current biopsy methods.

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.

A genetic algorithm for phononic crystals

Researchers at The University of Tokyo developed a genetic algorithm to design phononic crystals with specific vibration characteristics. The new approach uses simulations to iteratively assess proposed solutions, allowing for the creation of devices with precise control of acoustic wave propagation properties.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Researchers engineer new approach for controlling thermal emission

A team of researchers has created a novel approach to control thermal emission by designing an interface that joins two surfaces with different geometric properties. This allows for localized thermal emissions from designated areas, enabling applications in infrared optics, sensing, and satellite technology.

New technology gives people a better sense of what they’re breathing

Scientists developed a miniaturized micro-spectrometer to detect multiple toxic and greenhouse gases, offering increased control over individual exposure. The technology uses machine learning and metasurface spectral filter arrays to create a compact sensor that can be integrated into wearable devices.

Tiny crop-health sensors could help cut the cost of groceries

Researchers developed a compact sensor system with infrared imaging capabilities that can be fitted to drones for remote crop monitoring. The system can rapidly switch between edge detection and detailed infrared imaging, allowing farmers to pinpoint specific crop needs and boost harvests.

New all-optical approach to revolutionize night vision technology

Researchers at TMOS have developed a new infrared filter thinner than cling wrap, which can be integrated into everyday eyewear, allowing users to view both visible and infrared light spectra. This breakthrough miniaturizes night vision technology, opening up new applications in safety, surveillance, and biology.

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.

Sorting complex light beams: A breakthrough in optical physics

A groundbreaking study introduces a method for sorting vector structured beams with spin-multiplexed diffractive metasurfaces, promising significant advancements in optical communication and quantum computing. This technology enables precise control over complex light beams, opening new avenues for scientific exploration.

Unveiling a polarized world – in a single shot

Scientists at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a compact, single-shot polarization imaging system that can provide a complete picture of polarization. The system uses two thin metasurfaces to capture the most complete polarization response of an object in real-time.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The future of online security safeguarded by AI and metasurfaces

The team created ten holograms with varying colors and shapes using an inverse design technique driven by artificial intelligence. They integrated an oblique helicoidal cholesterics-based wavelength modulator to accurately implement the designed holograms, enabling the establishment of an optical security system.

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.

Pixelated non-volatile programmable photonic integrated circuits

The researchers achieved 20-level intermediate states of phase change materials using a micron-scale laser writing system. This allows for the demonstration of ultra-high flexibility in phase modulation and potential applications in neuromorphic photonics, optical computing, and reconfigurable metasurfaces.

Guardian of drone: Towards autonomous sea-land-air cloaks

A team at Zhejiang University has developed a self-driving cloaked unmanned drone with an intelligent aeroamphibious invisibility cloak, capable of manipulating electromagnetic scattering in real-time across dynamic environments. The cloak integrates perception, decision-making, and execution functionalities using spatiotemporal modula...

Neural network assisted high-spatial-resolution polarimetry

A new method combines a tri-channel chiral metasurface with a deep convolutional neural network to analyze polarizations, achieving fast, robust, and accurate measurements. This approach supports high spatial resolution requirements and compact design, enabling diverse applications in remote sensing, astronomy, biology, and microscopy.

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.

Angle-dependent holograms made possible by metasurfaces

Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology developed angle-dependent holograms using metasurface technology, allowing for diverse images based on viewing angles. The holographic display demonstrates an extensive viewing angle of 70 degrees, enabling observers to perceive the three-dimensional image from various directions.

A new optical metamaterial makes true one-way glass possible

Researchers at Aalto University have developed an optical metamaterial that enables the creation of truly one-way glass, opening up new applications for industries. The metamaterial harnesses the nonreciprocal magnetoelectric effect to control light transmission in both directions.

The metalens meets the stars

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed a 10-centimeter-diameter glass metalens that can image the sun, moon, and distant nebulae with high resolution.

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.

Radiative cooling becomes more efficient with trenches and polymers

Researchers have developed a roll-to-roll polymer film for improved radiative cooling by arranging 3D trench-like structures within the thin layer of the polymer film. The novel technique achieves high cooling performance with low energy input, making it suitable for large-scale thermal management applications.

Pingpong balls score big as sound absorbers

Researchers created an inexpensive and effective sound insulation panel using pingpong balls as Helmholtz resonators, capturing ambient sound waves at their natural frequency. The design allows for adjustable acoustic properties and potential applications in various functionalities.

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.

Scattering exceptional point in the visible

A team of scientists creates a universal paradigm for achieving high-efficiency exceptional point (EP) in the visible using interlayer loss to control the interplay between lossy structure and scattering lightwaves. The bilayer framework demonstrates perfect retroreflection and absorption, with efficiencies of 88% and 85%, respectively.

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 metalens lights the way for advanced control of quantum emission

A new multifunctional metalens has been developed to structure quantum emissions from solid-state single photon emitters. The metalens can simultaneously tailor directionality, polarization, and orbital angular momentum degrees of freedom, enabling the generation of high-dimensional single-photon hybrid quantum states.

Wide field-of-view metasurface-enhanced scanning lidar technology

Researchers have proposed an innovative solution to address limitations of lidar technology, enabling imaging in low SNR environments. The novel technique uses a high-scanning speed AOD and metasurface-enhanced scanning lidar, extending ambiguity range by up to 35 times.

Metasurface design with intelligent optimization methods

Researchers have developed an intelligent metasurface design using forward and reverse algorithms, reducing computational time and improving physical accuracy. Machine learning and physics-informed neural networks are used to optimize metasurface properties and overcome limitations of traditional methods.

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.

The making of a Mona Lisa hologram

A team of researchers developed an acoustic metasurface-based holography technique that uses a deep learning algorithm to generate and iteratively improve a hologram of the Mona Lisa. The technique successfully reconstructed the painting, with even greater detail in her left eye.

Spinning into the future

Researchers have developed a new method for designing metasurfaces using photonic Dirac waveguides, enabling the creation of binary spin-like structures of light. This advances the field of meta-optics and opens opportunities for integrated quantum photonics and data storage systems.

Hybrid bound states in the continuum in terahertz metasurfaces

A new approach improves quality factors and robustness of symmetry-protected BICs, achieving high-quality factor resonances with enhanced light-matter interactions. The hybrid BIC lattice offers a simple and generalized method to achieve high-quality factor metasurfaces.

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.

All optical near-infrared imaging via ultra-thin structured films

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University developed a thin film capable of covering all NIR frequency bands using nonlinear metasurfaces. The technology generates new colors via third harmonic generation, opening up possibilities for high-tech imaging and sensing applications.

Time-varying orbital angular momentum generated by a metasurface

Researchers from HKUST and CityU developed a metasurface to generate time-varying OAM beams with a time-dependent phase profile. This allows for a higher-order twist in the envelope wavefront structure, increasing capacity for applications such as dynamic particle trapping and information encryption.

Optically controlled metasurfaces for dynamic dual-mode modulation

A novel metasurface-based approach achieves dynamic dual-mode modulation of THz waves by varying the wavelength of pumping light. The device can realize mode-selective or mode-unselective modulations on incident THz waves, offering high modulation pixel resolution and ultrafast modulation speed.

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.

Ultrafast beam-steering breakthrough at Sandia Labs

A team of researchers has demonstrated the ability to dynamically steer incoherent light pulses using a semiconductor device, paving the way for applications such as holograms, remote sensing, and self-driving cars. The technique uses metasurfaces to manipulate light waves, offering a low-power alternative to traditional laser beams.

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.

Ultrafast beam-steering breakthrough at Sandia National Labs

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have demonstrated the ability to dynamically steer light pulses from conventional, incoherent light sources using a semiconductor device. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications such as holograms, remote sensing, and self-driving cars.

Multifunctional vortex beam for UV-visible spectra developed at Postech

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) created a multifunctional vortex beam capable of operating with a wide range of light frequencies using a metasurface. The breakthrough technology has the potential to store more information at the same frequency, paving the way for 6G communication systems.

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.