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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.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 15, 2023

Researchers test smart surfaces to improve wireless communication and localization

Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed transmission schemes that incorporate reconfigurable intelligent surfaces to serve as reflectors within existing wireless networks. These surfaces can bounce signals to cell phones, improving accuracy and reliability in location services and data speeds.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalIEEE Communications Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 2, 2023
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.

Towards a new antenna paradigm with waveform-selective metasurfaces

A team of researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology introduced a new system using metasurfaces to create waveform-based selectivity in antennas. They demonstrated that their antenna design could selectively receive and transmit signals with different waveforms at the same frequency.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Flash tunning via programmable solid-state metasurfaces: a new platform for modern displays

Scientists have engineered electrically tuneable arrays of nanoparticles called 'metasurfaces' that can offer significant benefits over current liquid crystal displays. The metasurface cells replace the liquid crystal layer, reducing energy consumption by 50% and offering a tenfold greater resolution.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateFeb 22, 2023
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.

Researchers at Purdue University uncover a new method for generating spinning thermal radiation

Researchers at Purdue University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of thermal radiation, uncovering a new method for generating spinning thermal radiation in a controlled and efficient manner. The team's findings, published in Science Advances, demonstrate the ability to generate predominantly left-handed circularly pol...

SourcePurdue University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 3, 2023

Active terahertz beam steering based on mechanical deformation of liquid crystal elastomer metasurface

Researchers have developed a novel terahertz beam steering system utilizing a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) metasurface that can actively deflect the direction of the incident wave. The LCE metasurface demonstrates outstanding beam steering performance, with an output angle range of 70° to 25° for frequencies between 0.48 and 1.1 THz.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJan 5, 2023

Direct laser writing system for high-resolution, high-efficiency nanofabrication

A new parallel peripheral-photoinhibition lithography system has been developed, enabling the fabrication of subdiffraction-limit features with high efficiency. The system uses two beams to excite and inhibit polymerization, allowing for nonperiodic and complex patterns to be printed simultaneously.

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

A novel, space-time coding antenna developed at CityU promotes 6G and secure wireless communications

A new space-time coding antenna developed at City University of Hong Kong enables manipulation of beam direction, frequency, and amplitude for improved user flexibility in 6G wireless communications. The antenna relies on software control and combines research advances in leaky-wave antennas and space-time coding techniques.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2022
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.

Researchers use ultrasound waves to move objects hands-free

University of Minnesota researchers have developed a contactless manipulation method using ultrasound waves, which can move larger objects without physical contact. This technique uses metamaterial physics to steer objects in desired directions, enabling control through sound reflection.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2022

Thickness bound for nonlocal wide-field-of-view metalenses

Researchers establish a relation between angular diversity and spatial footprint using a transmission matrix framework for wide-FOV metalenses. A thickness bound is determined based on diffraction-limited focusing quality, allowing for compact systems with enhanced imaging capabilities.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateDec 2, 2022

Single-cell-driven tri-channel encryption meta-displays

A POSTECH research team developed single-cell-driven tri-channel encryption meta-displays, which project different images depending on where you look at them. These displays overcome the limitations of conventional metasurfaces by combining amplitude modulation and geometric phase manipulation.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Science·DateNov 24, 2022

Liquid crystal metasurface could enable multi-dimensional light field sensing

A team of scientists developed a near-infrared spectropolarimeter based on an electrically-tunable liquid crystal metasurface. The system simultaneously measures polarization and spectral information using a tunable metasurface with high-quality-factor guided-mode resonances combined with a computational reconstruction algorithm.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateNov 3, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

All solid-state LiDAR sensor that sees 360°

A team of researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) has created a fixed LiDAR sensor that can see objects in all directions. The new sensor uses a metasurface to expand its viewing angle, allowing for 360° recognition and three-dimensional imaging.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 25, 2022

Metalens offers superior off-axis focus

A team at KAUST has created an ultrathin dielectric metalens that improves focusing capabilities and can be scaled down for integration with photonics equipment. The metalens, designed from a custom array of TiO2 nanopillars atop a DBR, offers negligible intrinsic loss and easy fabrication.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalOptica·DateOct 23, 2022

Color selective three-dimensional polarization structures

Researchers develop single metasurface to realize color-selective 3D polarization structures, offering unprecedented control over polarization with color information in 3D space. The discovery has potential applications in vector beam generation, virtual reality, and information security.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateOct 17, 2022
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.

Optical biosensing through a toy microscope over a surface “rainbow” chip

A team of engineers has created a miniature chip that uses 'rainbow' trapping of light to detect viruses and diseases. The system, which can be integrated with smartphones, allows for high-throughput sensing of biomarkers such as exosomal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), distinguishing lung cancer patients from healthy controls.

SourceEngineering·JournalEngineering·DateOct 2, 2022

Optical magic: New flat glass enables optimal visual quality for augmented reality goggles

Researchers at Columbia University have invented a flat lens that exclusively focuses light of a selected color, appearing transparent until illuminated with the correct wavelength. The device overcomes challenges in conventional AR glasses, enabling unattenuated and undistorted vision of both real-world scenes and contextual information.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateSep 28, 2022
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.

Artificial soft surface autonomously mimics shapes of nature

Engineers at Duke University developed a scalable soft surface that can continuously reshape itself to mimic objects in nature. It uses electromagnetic actuation, mechanical modeling, and machine learning to form new configurations and adapt to hindrances.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2022

Frequency-modulated continuous waves controlled by space-time-coding metasurface with nonlinearly periodic phases

Researchers develop a novel method to generate FMCWs and control their spatial propagation behaviors simultaneously using a reflection-type STCM. The proposed method reduces system complexity and cost compared to traditional FMCW signal generation methods.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateSep 14, 2022

Through the quantum looking glass

Scientists have developed a thin device that can produce complex webs of entangled photons, enabling new information processing schemes and advanced encryption methods. The device uses a metasurface to control the phenomenon of quantum entanglement, paving the way for more compact and powerful computing and sensing technologies.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Chip-scale metamicroscope for high-performance imaging

A newly developed polarizer-embedded metalens microscope system achieves high-quality, wide-field imaging with a large depth-of-field, significantly expanding human eyesight to the microworld. The chip-scale device offers a thousand-fold reduction in volume and weight compared to traditional microscopes.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 28, 2022

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
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.

Upside-down design expands wide-spectrum super-camera abilities

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new design for plasmonic metasurfaces that greatly expands their frequency range while also making them more robust against the elements. The new fabrication process allows for the use of a wide variety of shapes, opening up new possibilities for applications such as super cameras.

SourceDuke University·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 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

Colorful images displayed on a filter as thin as three strands of hair

Researchers developed a color filter with metasurfaces that can display vivid images on a filter as thin as three strands of hair. The filter offers 120-170 times higher resolution than high-end smartphone screens and can control individual pixel colors for various applications.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJun 13, 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.

One step closer to moving things with our thoughts

Researchers have made a breakthrough in controlling metamaterials with brainwaves, enabling real-time, remote, and wireless applications. The team developed a framework for remotely mind-controlled metasurfaces using Bluetooth technology.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateJun 11, 2022

A novel all-optical switching method makes optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient

A novel all-optical switching method has been developed to make optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient. The method utilizes the quantum optical phenomenon of Enhancement of Index of Refraction (EIR) to achieve ultrafast switching times, ultralow threshold control power, and high switching efficiency.

SourceTampere University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Algorithms empower metalens design

A new approach using artificial intelligence generates designs automatically, allowing researchers to create complex metasurfaces with billions of nanopillars. This enables the development of larger, more complex metalenses for virtual reality and augmented reality systems.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2022

Shaping the future of light through reconfigurable metasurfaces

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed the first-ever electrically tunable photonic metasurface platform, which enables reconfigurable metasurfaces with high levels of optical modulation. This breakthrough has significant implications for various technologies such as LiDAR systems, imaging, spectroscopy and sensing.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 16, 2022

A metasurface-based light-to-microwave transmitter for hybrid wireless communications

Researchers have created a light-to-microwave transmitter using an optically programmed time-varying metasurface, enabling direct conversion of light signals to microwave signals. The system can transmit two different videos simultaneously over a single platform, paving the way for low-cost and low-complexity hybrid communication systems.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 12, 2022

Intelligent metasurface could revolutionize our lives

Intelligent metasurfaces have three crucial properties: digitalization, programmability, and intelligence. They enable control without human intervention, unlocking devices like cloaking, tunneling, and holograms.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateMay 6, 2022
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.

Dynamic metasurfaces and metadevices empowered by graphene

Researchers have developed graphene-empowered dynamic metasurfaces and metadevices that can actively tune their electromagnetic wave manipulation capabilities. The devices exploit the unique properties of graphene to manipulate visible, terahertz, and microwave frequencies.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateMay 5, 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

Light-controllable time-domain metasurface for dynamic harmonic manipulation

Researchers developed a light-controllable time-domain digital coding metasurface that can manipulate microwave reflection spectra by time-varying light signals. The metasurface platform produces harmonics based on phase modulation, generating symmetrical harmonics and white-noiselike spectra.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateApr 22, 2022

Optical vortex crystals for photonic simulations of complex systems

Scientists at IIT realized coupled light vortices forming an ordered structure, a light crystal. They developed metasurfaces to control laser beams and created 100 light vortices with tunable topology, enabling new properties for optical communications and simulations of complex systems.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2022

Photonic encryption platform in the ultraviolet and visible

A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed an optical encryption platform that works in both the visible and ultraviolet regimes. The platform uses metasurface technology to display unique product numbers and improve encryption security.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 17, 2022
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.

Mechanical control of a reconfigurable intelligent surface

A mechanical RIS has been developed with high reconfiguration degree of freedom, low power consumption, and real-time dynamic control capabilities. It uses a robust control method to determine the rotation angle of each meta-atom and offers a new energy-saving and environmentally friendly alternative for wireless communications systems.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateFeb 4, 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.

Cylindrical vector beam multiplexer/demultiplexer using off-axis polarization control

Researchers have proposed a new method for controlling the polarization of cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) using a metal-dielectric-metal metasurface. This enables independent modulation of the left- and right-handed circularly polarized components, allowing for efficient multiplexing and demultiplexing of CVBs.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateDec 26, 2021

Recent advances in optical dynamic meta-holography

Researchers discuss recent progress in optical dynamic meta-holography, a technology for 3D display scenes. Metasurfaces enable more powerful light modulation capabilities, offering advantages such as higher spatial resolution and elimination of diffraction orders.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateNov 30, 2021

Researchers shrink camera to the size of a salt grain

The new system can produce high-quality images comparable to those of conventional cameras, with a compact design suitable for minimally invasive endoscopy and full-scene sensing. This breakthrough could revolutionize medical imaging and robotics with size and weight constraints.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 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
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 spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitters with tunable chirality

Researchers developed a novel spintronic-metasurface terahertz emitter that generates broadband, circularly polarized, and coherent terahertz waves. The design offers flexible manipulation of the polarization state and helicity with magnetic fields, enabling efficient generation and control of chiral terahertz waves.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021

Bridging optics and electronics

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a simple spatial light modulator made from gold electrodes covered by a thin film of electro-optical material. This device can control light intensity and pixel by pixel, enabling compact, high-speed, and precise optical devices.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 14, 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

Smuggling light through opaque materials

Electrical engineers at Duke University have discovered a way to extend the use of chalcogenide glasses into the visible and ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. By nanostructuring these materials, they can create high-order harmonic frequencies that enable transmission of light at previously inaccessible wavelengths.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2021

Quantum photonics based on metasurfaces

Researchers discuss the recent development of quantum optics based on micro/nano structures, including metasurfaces, which offers rich light field control function to discover new quantum physics. Metasurfaces has great potential in quantum optics, enabling the exploration of quantum technologies with strong stability and high efficiency.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateSep 30, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New metamaterial with unusual reflective property could boost your Wi-Fi signal

Researchers at University of Toronto have developed a new metamaterial that can channel light to enable more wireless data transmission over a single frequency, potentially doubling the capacity of existing networks. The 'full-duplex' intelligent metasurface has the potential to revolutionize wireless communication.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 30, 2021

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
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.