Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

IEEE study reviews novel photonics breakthroughs of 2024

Researchers reviewed novel photonics breakthroughs of 2024, focusing on coupling free electrons with nonlinear optical states in integrated photonic microresonators. This enables ultrafast electron-beam modulation and novel research opportunities for electron imaging and spectroscopy.

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.

A leg up on better running data

A recent study from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences uses wearable sensor technology and machine learning to estimate ground-reaction forces in runners. This data can provide insights into performance and injury, enabling the development of devices that deliver real-time feedback to users.

A platform of gold reveals the forces of nature’s invisible glue

A new platform allows researchers to study the forces that bind tiny objects together, revealing insights into self-assembly processes and fundamental forces in nature. The platform uses gold flakes in a salt solution, with light bouncing back and forth through nanometre-sized cavities to display colors.

A perfect shape for varying circumstances

The study reveals that certain rectangular shapes allow chloroplasts to achieve both efficient light capture at high density and enough space for shifting during strong light avoidance. The natural geometry of Elodea cells matches the predicted optimal shapes well, with a balance between packing and flexibility.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Highly manipulated heterostructure via additive manufacturing

Researchers develop highly tunable spatial heterostructure within pure titanium using mechanical milling and laser powder bed fusion, achieving strength-plasticity synergy and overcoming the strength-plasticity trade-off bottleneck. The resulting harmonic heterostructure endows pure Ti implants with excellent wear resistance.

The quantum door mystery: Electrons that can’t find the exit

Electron behavior in solid materials has been puzzling scientists, but a new study reveals that energy alone is not enough for them to escape. The discovery of doorway states explains why different materials exhibit unique behaviors despite similar electron energy levels.

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.

Quantum radio antenna

A team from the University of Warsaw developed a new type of all-optical radio receiver based on Rydberg atoms, providing extreme sensitivity and internal calibration. The antenna is powered by laser light, enabling precise control over the lasers and electron dance.

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.

Back to the future: Is light-speed analog computing on the horizon?

Scientists have developed a programmable electronic circuit that harnesses high-frequency electromagnetic waves to perform complex parallel processing at light-speed. This breakthrough has the potential to power next-generation wireless networks, real-time radar, and advanced monitoring in various industries.

Order from disordered proteins

A team of researchers developed a computational method that can design intrinsically disordered proteins with desired properties. The work uses automatic differentiation to optimize protein sequences and leverages molecular dynamics simulations for precision. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal new insights into diseases like...

Novel technique shines light on next-gen nanomaterials: how MXenes truly work

Researchers discovered how individual MXene flakes behave at the single-flake level, revealing changes in conductivity and optical response. The new spectroscopic micro-ellipsometry technique allowed for non-destructive measurements of individual MXene flakes, providing fundamental knowledge needed to design smarter technologies.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Pushing boundaries in ultrafast magnetization switching

Researchers discovered that ultrafast magnetization switching proceeds with a speed of about 2000 meters per second, not uniformly throughout the material. A moving boundary propagates through the film, sweeping through the entire layer in roughly 4.5 ps.

SFU physicists create new electrically controlled silicon-based quantum device

A team of researchers at Simon Fraser University has created a new type of silicon-based quantum device controlled by both electricity and light. The breakthrough demonstrates an electrically-injected single-photon source in silicon, clearing a major hurdle for building a scalable quantum computer. This development holds significant po...

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.

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.

Physicists devise an idea for lasers that shoot beams of neutrinos

Researchers at MIT introduce the concept of a neutrino laser that uses cooled radioactive atoms to produce amplified neutrino beams. By cooling rubidium-83 to near absolute zero, the team predicts accelerated radioactive decay and production of neutrinos. This innovation could lead to new applications in medicine and communication.

Physicists create a new kind of time crystal that humans can actually see

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have created a new type of time crystal that can be observed directly under a microscope and even by the naked eye. The team used liquid crystals to achieve this feat, which could lead to technological applications such as counterfeiting prevention and data storage.

Politecnico di Milano wins two ERC starting grants

Researchers Claudio Conci and Emanuele Riva at Politecnico di Milano have won two ERC Starting Grants to develop new brain stimulation technologies and diagnose inflammatory processes. The projects aim to revolutionize treatments for millions of people with tremors, neuropathic pain, and inflammation-related diseases.

Mizzou at the forefront of using hydrogen energy safely

Researchers at Mizzou have developed a highly sensitive, affordable, and durable hydrogen sensor that can detect tiny leaks in seconds. The sensor is designed to be small, long-lasting, and cost-effective, making it an ideal solution for preventing accidents and protecting the environment.

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.

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.

Digital to analog in one smooth step

The new Harvard device can turn purely digital electronic inputs into analog optical signals at high speeds, addressing the bottleneck of computing and data interconnects. It has the potential to enable advances in microwave photonics and emerging optical computing approaches.

Denmark can now contribute to producing world-class chips

The POEM Technology Center in Denmark will produce advanced wafers for photonic chips, enabling the development of high-speed communication and optical data processing. The facility will also facilitate the production of quantum chips, a key component in large-scale quantum computing.

Optimizing how cells self-organize

A new computational framework has been developed to optimize cellular self-organization, allowing scientists to understand and control how cells grow and interact. The framework uses machine learning tools to extract rules that guide cell behavior, enabling the creation of artificial organs and potential treatments for cancer.

New kind of microscope for ultra-sensitive samples

Researchers at TU Wien developed a novel microscopy method that allows for gentle imaging of sensitive biological structures and quantum particles. The new technique stores light in an optical resonator where the sample is also located, providing clearer signals than other methods.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Researchers send a wireless curveball to deliver massive amounts of data

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a machine-learning system that can shape ultrahigh frequency transmissions to avoid obstacles, allowing for real-time adaptation in dynamic environments. This breakthrough could enable the widespread adoption of sub-terahertz frequencies for high-speed data transmission in applications...

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 new window into Earth’s upper atmosphere

Researchers have developed a novel way to reach the unexplored mesosphere using lightweight flying structures that can float using sunlight. The devices, which were built at Harvard and other institutions, levitated in low-pressure conditions and demonstrated potential for climate sensing and exploration.

Black metal could give a heavy boost to solar power generation

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new type of solar thermoelectric generator that can harness thermal energy in addition to sunlight. The device is 15 times more efficient than current state-of-the-art devices, making it a promising source of renewable energy.

Nanostructures transcend boundaries (of grains in metals)

Physicists from the IFJ PAN in Cracow have successfully produced homogeneous coatings of titanium oxide nanotubes on large metal surfaces, overcoming the obstacle of crystal grain boundaries. The method combines nanoparticle lithography and electrochemical anodization, enabling controlled material properties.

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.

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.

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.

Radiotherapy of cancer: Toward better control of the proton beam

Researchers developed a practical solution to verify radiation quality in clinical practice, enabling precise determination of biological effects and effective cancer cell destruction. This innovation allows for better planning and reduced damage to healthy tissues.

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.

Patterns of patterns: Exploring supermoiré engineering

Twisted trilayer graphene creates a pattern that changes the material's properties and can turn it into a superconductor. Researchers used a microscope to probe the properties of supermoiré patterns, revealing new states of matter with precisely controllable properties.