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Ultrathin interlayer empowers green ZnSeTe QD-LEDs: brighter, more efficient, driving eco-friendly displays forward

Researchers developed bright and efficient green-emitting ZnSeTe-based QD-LEDs by introducing an ultrathin ZnSeS alloy interlayer, enhancing radiative recombination efficiency and optical stability. The devices showed a peak external quantum efficiency of 20.6% and luminance exceeding 100,000 cd m−2.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2025

After greening comes darkness….and it really does matter!

Researchers propose darkening cities to improve biodiversity, human health, and reduce energy waste by embracing nocturnal living. Professor Nick Dunn's 'Dark Futures: When the Lights Go Down' presents a vision for an alternative future that reconnects humans with nature's rhythms.

SourceLancaster University·DateMar 24, 2025
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.

Quantum dot discovery for LEDs brings brighter, more eco-friendly displays

Researchers at Curtin University have developed a new type of quantum dot that matches or outperforms traditional cadmium-based QLEDs in terms of efficiency and color accuracy. The breakthrough technology emits pure and vibrant blue light with an impressive 24.7% efficiency, lasting nearly 30,000 hours.

SourceCurtin University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2025

New photon-avalanching nanoparticles could enable next-generation optical computers

Researchers developed new photon avalanching nanoparticles that exhibit high nonlinearities, overcoming challenges in realizing intrinsic optical bistability at the nanoscale. The breakthrough paves the way for fabricating optical memory and transistors on a nanometer scale comparable to current microelectronics.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2025

Hybrid states of light and matter may significantly enhance OLED brightness

Researchers developed a theoretical model predicting substantial increase in OLED brightness by leveraging polaritons, promising improved efficiency and brightness. The study proposes new materials discovery and architecture development to achieve single-molecule strong coupling or tailored molecules for polariton OLEDs.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateFeb 24, 2025
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.

Temperamental stars are distorting our view of distant planets

A new study found that hotter and colder regions on a star's surface can distort our interpretations of planets, particularly when looking at dips in starlight. This distortion can lead to misinterpretation of features such as planet size, temperature, and atmospheric composition.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateFeb 7, 2025

MIT scientists pin down the origins of a fast radio burst

Astronomers at MIT used a novel technique to determine the precise location of a fast radio burst, finding it likely originated from the magnetosphere around a rotating neutron star. The study provides conclusive evidence that fast radio bursts can emerge from this highly magnetic environment.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJan 1, 2025
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.

Brighter and more efficient LEDs that don’t droop

A team of researchers at Nagoya University has developed a way to make LEDs brighter while maintaining their efficiency. By tilting the InGaN layers and cutting the wafer into different orientations, they have found that LEDs with lower polarization but in the same direction as standard LEDs show greater efficiency at higher power.

SourceNagoya University·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·DateNov 25, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A single cell’s siesta

Researchers found that the cell's chloroplast shrinks by 40% in bright white light, minimizing damage. The structure responsible is a network of thin filaments that can contract and expand in all directions.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 18, 2024

Let there be light: Bright future for solar panels, TV screens and more

A breakthrough study by Curtin-led researchers reveals how to make more molecules stick to the surface of tiny nanocrystals, leading to improvements in everyday technology. The discovery could enhance the performance of devices such as LEDs, solar cells and medical imaging systems.

SourceCurtin University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 13, 2024

Bright light therapy for non-seasonal depressive disorders

A systematic review and meta-analysis found bright light therapy to be an effective adjunctive treatment for non-seasonal depressive disorders. The study suggests that bright light therapy may improve the response time to the initial treatment, providing new hope for patients with these conditions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateOct 2, 2024
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.

Closed eye imaging can track wakefulness, awareness, and pain in unresponsive conditions such as sleep, anesthesia, and intensive care

A breakthrough technology allows for touchless infrared imaging to monitor changes in pupil size and gaze direction behind closed eyes. This innovation can help identify wakefulness, awareness, and pain in sleep, anesthesia, and intensive care, enabling more accurate clinical decision-making.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalCommunications Medicine·DateSep 8, 2024

New insights into neural circuit imaging: A comparison of one-photon and two-photon techniques

A recent study by Harvard University researchers compares the effectiveness of one-photon (1P) versus two-photon (2P) voltage imaging in neural circuits. The study found that 2P excitation requires approximately 10,000 times more illumination power per cell compared to 1P excitation, posing significant challenges for 2P voltage imaging.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics·DateAug 14, 2024

How did a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way come to be?

A satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, Crater 2, has been studied by a UC Riverside-led team. They offer an explanation for its unusual properties using the self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) theory.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2024
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.

Keeping the lights on

A study published in Applied Physics Letters reveals that decreasing carbon concentration can increase the amount of light emitted from GaN crystals. The researchers found a threshold concentration above which carbon atoms become a significant factor in dissipating energy, leading to improved internal quantum efficiency.

SourceOsaka University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

Relationship between perceived glossiness and pupillary responses

This study found that perceiving high glossiness in images induces greater pupillary constriction than perceived low glossiness, even when physical luminance is adjusted. The results suggest that the visual system responds to specular highlights in glossy images, leading to pupil constriction.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalVision Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2024

Illusion helps demystify the way vision works

A new study using electrophysiology and optogenetics has shown that neurons in the primary visual cortex respond to brightness illusions, settling a long-standing debate in neuroscience. The findings suggest that higher-level neurons play a crucial role in modulating activity in lower-level neurons.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2024
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.

'Old smokers' and 'squalling newborns' among hidden stars spotted for first time

A team of international scientists has spotted a new type of elderly giant star, nicknamed 'old smokers,' which emits clouds of smoke over decades. These stars, hidden from view in visible light, were discovered using infrared light and have significant implications for the spread of heavy elements in space.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJan 25, 2024

Bursts of star formation explain mysterious brightness at cosmic dawn

A Northwestern University-led team of astrophysicists has discovered that young galaxies appear brighter than anticipated due to irregular bursts of star formation. This finding explains the puzzling appearance of massive galaxies too soon after the Big Bang, fitting within the standard model of cosmology.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 3, 2023
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.

Planet orbiting 2 stars discovered using new technique

Researchers have discovered a large gas giant orbiting two stars using the radial velocities method for the first time. The newly found system, TOI-1338/BEBOP-1, is only the second binary star system known to host multiple planets ever confirmed.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2023

What made the brightest cosmic explosion of all time so exceptional?

Astrophysicists explain the Brightest of All Time (BOAT) cosmic explosion, revealing a narrow jet embedded within a wider gas outflow. The GRB's uniqueness was due to mixing between stellar material and the jet, masking characteristic signatures.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 7, 2023

A telescope’s last view

Astronomers at MIT and University of Wisconsin have discovered two validated planets, K2-416 b and K2-417 b, in Kepler's last week of high-quality data. The third planet candidate, EPIC 246251988 b, orbits its star every 10 days and is slightly farther away from Earth than the other two.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 30, 2023

Researchers reveal early results in sky-brightness measurements in Antarctica

The researchers used the Near-Infrared Sky Brightness Monitor (NISBM) to collect data on sky brightness in Antarctica. The results show that the background intensity of the sky is not influenced by the Sun at a specific inflection point, and the NISBM detected significantly lower brightness in the Ks band compared to other locations.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 20, 2023
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.

Dark order in the universe

A team of scientists from Kyoto University has confirmed that galaxy alignments can be a powerful probe for dark matter and dark energy. The analysis of 1.2 million galaxy observations verified general theory of relativity at vast spatial scales, providing strong evidence for gravity's role in shaping the universe.

SourceKyoto University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 13, 2023

Hunting Venus 2.0: Scientists sharpen their sights

The study identifies five exoplanets that resemble Venus in terms of radii, masses, and atmospheric conditions. By observing these 'exo-Venus' planets using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists hope to uncover valuable insights into Earth's future and the possibility of a runaway greenhouse climate.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateMar 22, 2023
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.

Powering neutron science

Researchers at Osaka University developed a laser-driven neutron source, enabling extremely rapid elemental analysis. The study found that increasing laser intensity yields neutrons proportional to the fourth power, allowing for faster identification of elements in samples.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023

Visibility of stars in the night sky declines faster than previously thought

A worldwide Citizen Science project has collected data on light pollution over eleven years, revealing a faster decline in star visibility than previously thought. The rate of change is attributed to increased sky brightness, with dramatic consequences for stargazing and astronomy.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2023

Dawn of solid-state quantum networks

Researchers demonstrated high-visibility quantum interference between two independent semiconductor quantum dots, an important step toward scalable quantum networks. The observed interference visibility is up to 93%, paving the way for solid-state quantum networks with distances over 300 km.

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

Light therapy relieves fatigue syndrome in Multiple Sclerosis

A recent study led by Stefan Seidel found that light therapy significantly improves fatigue symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis patients, with measurable improvements observed after just 14 days of use. The study used objective measurements to rule out sleep disorders, which are common comorbidities with fatigue in MS patients.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalMultiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental Translational and Clinical·DateDec 12, 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.

New article in Cell Reports on measuring scene brightness with visual brains

Researchers in Cell Reports study neuronal responses to bright and dark surfaces, finding that large bright surfaces activate both light-ON and light-OFF neurons, increasing the combined response with surface brightness and size. This challenges the long-standing assumption that only surface edges drive strong cortical responses.

SourceState University of New York College of Optometry·JournalCell Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 27, 2022

Taking solar-powered lasers to new heights with four-mirror pumping

Scientists have developed a new solar-powered laser with improved conversion efficiency, enabling more stable and efficient space-based energy generation. The design features four mirrors and laser rods, allowing for precise control over the pump cavity and minimizing thermal stress effects.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateSep 7, 2022
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.

Cloud study demystifies impact of aerosols

Aerosol particles in the atmosphere have a bigger impact on cloud cover than previously thought, increasing it by approximately 10%. Clouds hold more water before rainfall occurs due to smaller and more numerous droplets, leading to reduced precipitation. The study uses satellite data and machine learning to improve climate models.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 1, 2022

A new method to detect exoplanets

Researchers have discovered a new technique for detecting dim bodies, including planets, orbiting Cataclysmic Variables (CVs). The method analyzes changes in brightness caused by perturbations of a third body orbiting the inner two stars. Two out of four studied CV systems show signs of planetary mass objects in orbit around them.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJul 20, 2022

Shedding light on turbulence with wave-optics simulations

Researchers conducted wave-optics simulations to study the impact of turbulence on light beams, finding that branch point density grows non-linearly with grid resolution. The study's results could lead to more accurate modeling and improved performance in Adaptive Optics systems.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalOptical Engineering·DateMay 18, 2022

Organic polymeric scintillators excite X-ray community

Researchers developed efficient metal-free polymeric scintillators for high-resolution X-ray imaging, outperforming conventional anthracene-based scintillators. The polymers exhibit multicolor radioluminescence and high photostability, enabling applications in radiation detection, medical diagnosis, and security inspection.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMay 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.

Scientists discover comet's hourglass-shaped dust trail

Researchers from Finland, Canada, and Russia have discovered an unusual, hourglass-shaped dust trail of the comet 17P/Holmes. The particles that formed the dust trail were released by the most powerful outburst by a comet, with the authors developing a new model that realistically describes the evolution of cometary dust trails.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2022

Organic aggregates: new insights on white light

Research reveals organic aggregates can emit polychromic and white light with high efficiency, opening up new avenues for OLEDs and encryption. However, more work is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and improve performance.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJan 11, 2022

Sparking new insights into dye chemistry

A SUTD-led study develops brighter, more sensitive fluorophores by suppressing twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and enhancing photon-induced electron transfer (PET). The research provides design guidelines for dye chemists to rationally tune TICT, PET, and other mechanisms for a wide range of applications.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalChemical Society Reviews·DateNov 29, 2021

Quantum mechanics affects light emission

Researchers found that quantum mechanics' influence on particles affects light emission, demonstrating wavefunction collapse and altering interference patterns. The study sheds new light on the counter-intuitive phenomenon, revealing a direct connection between light emission and quantum entanglement.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 4, 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.

Astronomers explain origin of elusive ultradiffuse galaxies

Researchers used simulations to detect extended dwarf galaxies with low surface brightness, challenging previous theories. The study found that these 'quenched' UDGs originated in backsplash orbits and are isolated from their parent systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 6, 2021

LED material shines under strain

Berkeley Lab researchers developed a method to increase the efficiency of LED devices by applying mechanical strain to thin semiconductor films. This approach reduces exciton annihilation, allowing for high-performance LEDs even at high brightness levels.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2021

Cloud shadows cue mini-migrations

A new study reveals zooplankton exhibit high-frequency 'mini-migrations' due to cloud shadows, affecting their energy expenditure and carbon transport. The daily process of swimming up and down in response to subtle changes in light intensity may have significant implications for Earth's carbon cycle.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2021

Mystery solved: Dust cloud led to Betelgeuse's 'Great Dimming'

Astronomers have explained Betelgeuse's sudden dimming by a cloud of dust formed from stardust, which temporarily blocked the star's light. The discovery was made using new images taken with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature·DateJun 16, 2021
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.

Astronomers spot a 'blinking giant' near the centre of the Galaxy

Researchers have discovered a unique 'blinking giant' binary star system, where a giant star is eclipsed by an unseen orbital companion every few decades. The system has been spotted near the centre of the Milky Way, more than 25,000 light years away.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 11, 2021

Supernovae twins open up new possibilities for precision cosmology

Cosmologists have found a way to double the accuracy of measuring distances to supernova explosions, enabling precise study of dark energy. The Nearby Supernova Factory collaboration has developed a new method that quadruples the number of supernovae used, allowing for more accurate measurements and reducing biases.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMay 6, 2021