Damselflies break optical barriers to produce vivid, angle-independent colors using structural dispersion and pigment loading. This discovery provides a blueprint for creating sustainable, highly saturated photonic materials that could replace toxic synthetic pigments.
SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers at Kobe University have developed a method to print structural color using an inkjet printer, enabling the creation of vibrant colors without pigments or dyes. The new technology has potential applications in display and anti-counterfeiting technologies.
SourceKobe University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2026
L. Jay Guo, University of Michigan professor, recognized for scalable nanopatterning technology enabling next-gen flexible electronics and structural color applications. His work has attracted interest from major companies like Samsung and Toyota.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a method to produce the darkest fabric currently reported, with no angle dependency. The team used polydopamine and etching in a plasma chamber to create nanofibrils that mimic the light-trapping capabilities of the riflebird's ultrablack feathers.
SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 1, 2025
Biologists have discovered that shiny colours serve as signals for pollinators and mates, but compromise colour perception at close range. This study found that dynamic, shiny colours are more conspicuous from afar, but harder to discern in detail.
SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 26, 2025
Researchers demonstrate that bacteria can produce fabric and dye it in every color of the rainbow using a single vat. The approach uses bacterial cellulose as a potential alternative to petroleum-based fibers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental harm. The developed method yields vibrant colors that survive washing and h...
SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 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.
Researchers discovered a unique nanostructure in blue shark skin that produces their iconic blue coloration, which also suggests a potential capacity for color change. Tiny changes in guanine crystal spacing can alter the shark's body color to suit its environment.
Researchers at Kobe University discovered that red algae use structural color to communicate with each other. The discovery was made in the European Journal of Phycology and suggests that these colors may serve as a warning signal to algae-eating fish.
SourceKobe University·JournalEuropean Journal of Phycology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2025
The study provides a new look at the galactic region surrounding our solar system, revealing a roughly uniform background Lyman alpha sky brightness. The findings suggest hot interstellar gas bubbles may be regions of enhanced hydrogen gas emissions at a wavelength called Lyman alpha.
SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 28, 2025
Researchers at UC Berkeley created a platform called Oz that controls up to 1,000 photoreceptors in the eye at once, enabling the perception of a blue-green color named 'olo'. This breakthrough could provide new insights into human sight and vision loss, as well as answer basic questions about color vision.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025
Researchers have developed a blue cosmetic color additive that gives foundations the warmth and depth they currently lack, resulting in improved shades for darker skin tones. The new formulation uses ultramarine blue to reduce gray cast and create warmer hues.
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.
A study published in PNAS found that young children perceive colors similarly to adults, with consistent structure across age groups and cultures. The researchers developed a touch panel interface to evaluate conscious experiences, revealing robustness in their approach.
SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025
Researchers investigated genetic and sensory mechanisms behind mate preferences in Heliconius cydno butterflies with yellow or white wing patches. They found that males prefer females with matching wing colors due to differences in how sensory information is processed.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 11, 2025
The study introduces a game-changing concept in dual-mode display design by uniting luminescence and coloration within a single device. The device leverages smectite clay to stabilize europium(III) complexes for vibrant luminescence and heptyl viologen derivatives for striking color changes.
SourceChiba University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025
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 developed a novel coating material that captures the brilliance of structural colors using melanin particles, producing non-iridescent color even when viewed from different angles. The coatings displayed a contact angle of over 160 degrees, monochromatic hues, and a self-cleaning surface.
SourceChiba University·JournalMacromolecular Reaction Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2025
Researchers discovered that plants in shaded conditions receive a larger proportion of green and far-red light, which contributes to photosynthesis. This finding may help growers develop new methods for supplementing natural sunlight with colored light.
SourceUtrecht University·JournalPlant Cell & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2025
Kobe University has developed a new way to produce colors using nanospheres, which could reduce the environmental impact of paints and cosmetics. The technology uses silicon spheres to scatter light, creating bright and brilliant colors that do not fade or change with viewing angle.
Around 450,000 UK children with color blindness are being failed by the education system due to a lack of recognition and support from schools. Colour blindness affects how people see the entire visible colour spectrum, not just red and green.
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
A recent study found that color vision evolved in animals over 100 million years ago, with a dramatic increase in colorful signals, including warning and sexual signals. The study suggests that warning signals are more widespread among animals than sexual signals.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalBiological Reviews·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 7, 2024
Researchers at Pusan National University developed a fast-responding colorimetric sensor with an expanded color gamut, capable of detecting humidity and other environmental changes in real-time. The sensor outperforms previous designs with a wide color representation and rapid responsiveness.
SourcePusan National University·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2024
Researchers developed a new spectroscopy method using tunable lasers, enabling precise tracking of the laser's color at every point in time. The technique offers higher power and spectral stability compared to existing methods, making it suitable for various applications including LIDAR and spectroscopy.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 12, 2024
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.
A recent study published in iScience found that newborn chicks are predisposed to learn quicker based on the colour of their mother. The research team discovered a colour-dependent bias in learning speed, with chicks exposed to a deep blue mother learning faster than those raised by mothers with other colours.
SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournaliScience·DateJul 8, 2024
Scientists at Kyushu University created QDyeFinder, an AI pipeline that untangles the dense neuronal networks in the brain. The system uses a super-multicolor labeling protocol to tag neurons and then automatically identifies their structure by matching similar color combinations.
SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 25, 2024
Researchers found that early exposure to limited color information helps the brain develop robust object recognition skills. Children born blind who have their sight restored later in life struggle with identifying objects in black-and-white images due to overreliance on color cues. The study suggests that early visual experience plays...
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateMay 23, 2024
Kobe University researchers have discovered that the shimmering effect in some brown algae is due to the presence of tiny, uniform-sized spheres within cells called iridescent bodies. These microspheres reflect green light more than other colors, resulting in the alga's characteristic shine.
SourceKobe University·JournalEuropean Journal of Phycology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 20, 2024
Columbia University neuroscientists have identified brain-cell circuitry in fruit flies that converts raw sensory signals into color perceptions, which could underlie how creatures large and small see wavelengths of light as information-rich hues. The discovery reveals a complex neural mechanism responsible for hue selectivity, allowin...
SourceColumbia University·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2024
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.
A team of researchers from the University of Rochester used adaptive optics to identify rare retinal ganglion cells that could help explain how humans perceive color. These non-cardinal RGCs may work in tandem with cardinal RGCs to create more complex color perceptions.
SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalJNeurosci·DateApr 15, 2024
Researchers developed a new tool to improve the accuracy of electronic devices that measure plant leaf color to assess health. The software uses polarization to account for variations in light and reduce errors caused by glare.
SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 25, 2024
Researchers found that a language's past color vocabulary influences its ability to evolve, with constraints on vocabulary growth and changes in meaning. The study used the World Color Survey dataset to explore how new terms are introduced and their meanings change as vocabulary size increases.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2024
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.
Researchers developed a sustainable technique to 3D print multiple dynamic colors from a single ink using UV-assisted direct-ink-write printing. The new method produces structural colors in the visible wavelength spectrum, offering vibrant and potentially more sustainable alternatives.
SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 19, 2024
A new study finds that red-colored agricultural nets are more effective at deterring onion thrips than traditional black or white nets. The use of red nets resulted in a 25-50% reduction in insecticide applications, making them a promising solution for sustainable agriculture.
SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2024
Researchers at Kobe University developed a new approach to producing colors using the scattering of light from tiny silicon crystals. The material enables non-fading structural colors that do not depend on the viewing angle and can be printed, promising significant weight improvements over conventional paints.
SourceKobe University·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2024
A new camera system records natural animal-view videos with high accuracy, enabling scientists to study animal behavior and navigation. The system uses four color channels, including UV light, to produce accurate video of how animals perceive colors.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 23, 2024
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.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that the colour of light has a limited impact on the human internal clock and sleep. The researchers exposed volunteers to different coloured lights, including blueish and yellowish lights, to determine their effect on the body.
SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2023
Researchers develop a versatile imaging system for targeted spectroscopy in the eye fundus, allowing for continuous color imaging and spectral measurements. The system enables users to select targets and move them to any location within the eye fundus region without realignment or fixation changes.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateDec 15, 2023
ChromoSense uses a translucent rubber cylinder with colored sections to detect changes in bending, stretching, compression, and temperature. The device has potential applications in wearable technologies and soft robots, offering a more targeted and information-dense sensing solution than traditional camera-based systems.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2023
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.
New research from the University of South Australia found that images are more effective at signaling product variety than colors, with only 56% of color choices matching customer expectations. The study analyzed consumer perceptions of 576 products and recommended using images to convey variety and protecting master brand colors.
SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Market Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 15, 2023
A study from MIT found that Tsimane' speakers who learned Spanish as a second language began to use separate words for blue and green, which are not typically used in their native language. The researchers also found that the bilingual group became more precise in describing colors such as yellow and red.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 2, 2023
Researchers found that participants chose different grey colours when exposed to various scents, such as coffee and caramel. The study suggests that our sense of smell can influence how we perceive colour, with the presence of certain odours leading to anticipated correspondences in colour perception.
SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 12, 2023
A study in Frontiers in Psychology found that unconscious 'crossmodal' associations with our sense of smell can distort perception of colors. Participants adjusted sliders to change the color of a square, but their choices were influenced by the odor they smelled, such as perceiving coffee as a reddish-brown color instead of neutral grey.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2023
Contrary to long-held assumptions, primate species with better color vision do not necessarily exhibit more colorful traits like red skin or fur. Instead, these traits may be used for social communication, such as signaling fertility or rank in the dominance hierarchy.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalBiological Journal of the Linnean Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 21, 2023
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
A study of nearly 20,000 patients found that the color of their phlegm can indicate the degree of inflammation in their lungs and predict future outcomes. Patients with darker green or brown-colored sputum were at a higher risk of exacerbations, hospitalizations, and death.
SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2023
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem developed an innovative system of 'artificial molecules' made from two coupled semiconductor nanocrystals, achieving fast and instantaneous color switching. This breakthrough enables new possibilities in displays, lighting, and nanoscale optoelectronic devices with adjustable colors.
SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2023
De-Stijl, a machine learning-based tool, suggests color palettes and demonstrates their impact in different distributions. It removes tedious guesswork from graphic design, facilitating creativity.
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 recent study found significant changes in ocean color over the past two decades, affecting 56% of the world's oceans. The shift in color indicates changes in marine ecosystems, with tropical regions becoming greener due to human-induced climate change.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJul 12, 2023
A new study suggests that simple limitations in neural responses explain visual illusions, rather than deeper psychological processes. Researchers developed a model that combines information on neural firing speeds, pattern perception, and natural scene assumptions to predict how animals see colour and understand visual illusions.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 15, 2023
Paderborn researchers develop innovative approach to generating higher harmonics in silicon metasurfaces, increasing efficiency through the Fano effect. The study enables third harmonics to be generated much more efficiently than with previous known structures.
SourceUniversität Paderborn·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 14, 2023
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.
Researchers discovered that a certain short-wave or blue sensitive cone circuit is absent in marmosets and differs from the macaque monkey's circuit. This finding suggests that humans have unique neural wiring for color vision that may be linked to recent evolutionary adaptations.
SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2023
Scientists create a simple approach to fabricating highly precise 3D aperiodic photonic volume elements (APVEs) for various applications. The method uses direct laser writing to arrange voxels of specific refractive indices in glass, enabling the precise control of light flow and achieving record-high diffraction efficiency.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateApr 21, 2023
Researchers have developed a new type of OLED display that uses strong coupling of light and matter to improve color saturation and brightness. The displays, known as polariton-based OLEDs, achieve this without compromising efficiency or viewing angle dependency.
SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023
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.
Researchers found that increasing melanin levels in human skin reduces Cherenkov emission intensity, while blood concentration affects different color channels. The study suggests using multispectral signatures to correct attenuated signals based on patient's blood volume or skin color.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateMar 13, 2023
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University identify vital differences between the plants, including pollinators and lifespan, confirming their classification. The study highlights the importance of recognizing every species for conservation programs.
SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalNordic Journal of Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2023
A UCF researcher has developed the first environmentally friendly, multicolor alternative to pigment-based colorants using structural colors from butterflies. The new plasmonic paint is lightweight, non-toxic, and reflects the entire infrared spectrum, promising significant energy savings and reduced global warming.
SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 8, 2023
Researchers from City University of Hong Kong developed a unified colour system based on prime numbers, called C<sub>235</sub>, which can represent various colours more efficiently than existing systems like RGB and CMYK. The new colour system has potential applications in designing energy-saving LCD systems and colourizing DNA codons.
SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 2, 2023
Scientists discovered a Pink-throated Brilliant hummingbird with gold throat feathers, which is actually a hybrid of two pink-throated species. The hybrid's unique coloration is explained by the complex interaction of genetic and structural factors that determine feather colors.
SourceField Museum·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateFeb 28, 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.
Researchers from Saarland University have developed a method to create complex, structurally colored 3D objects using core-shell particles. These materials can be used in anti-counterfeiting technology and versatile measurement sensors.
SourceSaarland University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2023
Researchers developed a new encryption method that encodes secret messages using brilliant colors created by silver nanostructures reacting to polarized light. The method's unique chiral response makes it more secure than traditional binary codes.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2023
The C235 color system uses prime numbers to represent red, green, and blue colors, resulting in a more unified and manageable color framework. This system enables the creation of a compressed color wheel with less than 1.2% compression error rate, allowing for efficient representation of all 256^3 colors.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateFeb 2, 2023
The team developed a way to stack red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes to create vertical, multicolored pixels, enabling higher-resolution displays. This technique could enable fully immersive virtual reality experiences and improve digital screens' sharpness and resolution.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateFeb 1, 2023
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.
Scientists at Shinshu University have created a new method for achieving structural coloring through plasma irradiation of graphite, eliminating the need for harmful color dyes. The technique produces erasable and stable colors that can be manipulated using various factors, offering a sustainable solution for the art world.
SourceShinshu University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2023