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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.

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.

First observation of energy-difference conservation in optical domain

A research team at POSTECH observes synchronized oscillations of optical intensity and symmetry-breaking transitions at an exceptional point. They also discover energy-difference conservation for the first time in the optical domain using APT symmetry platforms based on nonlinear four-wave-mixing.

Compact amplifier could revolutionize optical communication

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a unique optical amplifier that offers high performance, is compact enough to integrate into a chip just millimeters in size, and does not generate excess noise. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize both space and fiber communication.

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.

Patenting a fiber optic monitoring system for 5G light-powered networks

The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid has patented a multicore fibre optic monitoring system for 5G networks, optimizing energy consumption while preserving data transmission capacity. The system can monitor temperature changes, energy distribution, and communication channel state using a single optical signal.

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.

Imaging at the tip of a needle

Researchers have developed a new method to control scrambled light in optical fibres, allowing for high-resolution imaging of individual cells. This technology has the potential to guide biopsy needles and identify diseased cells within the body.

Seismic study will help keep carbon underground

Ajo-Franklin's lab is developing advanced fiber-optic sensors to monitor CO2 storage sites, allowing for the detection of small faults that could lead to leakage. The project aims to enhance safety and security at storage sites using distributed acoustic sensing technology.

Opto-mechanical non-reciprocity in fiber

Researchers discovered non-reciprocal propagation in polarization-maintaining optical fibers due to ultrasound interaction. This phenomenon enhances sensing measurements and signal processing beyond the fiber's boundaries, opening new possibilities for advanced sensor networks.

Researchers use transoceanic fiber link for geophysical sensing

Scientists demonstrate a new technique to sense geophysical events using transoceanic fiber optic cables, offering potential for early warnings of tsunamis and earthquakes. The method measures tiny changes in polarization of transmitted light, enabling monitoring of previously inaccessible ocean depths.

Toshiba announces breakthrough in long distance quantum communication

Toshiba has demonstrated record distances for quantum communications using a novel 'dual band' stabilisation technique, enabling QKD over 600km. The technique sends two optical reference signals to minimise phase fluctuations on long fibres, resulting in constant optical phase stability even after propagation through hundreds of km.

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.

Phonon imaging in 3D with a fiber probe

A team of scientists has developed a phonon probe that uses optical fibers to create high-resolution 3D images of biological cells and tissue. The device achieves lateral resolution of 2.5 μm and can measure object height with 45 nm precision, opening up new possibilities for non-destructive diagnostics.

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.

Fiber optic cable monitors microseismicity in Antarctica

Researchers use fiber optic cable to detect small earthquakes in ice, offering insights into ice movement and deformation under changing climate conditions. The technique also improves monitoring of underground carbon capture and storage projects.,

A song of ice and fiber

Sandia National Laboratories has successfully analyzed the first seafloor dataset from under Arctic sea ice using a new underwater technique. The team detected natural and human-caused activities, including ice quakes and transportation activities, while also monitoring for climate signals and marine life.

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.

Development of a broadband mid-infrared source for remote sensing

A team of scientists at the National Institutes of Natural Sciences has successfully developed a broadband mid-infrared (MIR) source with high beam quality, enabling simplified environmental monitoring systems. The MIR source facilitates industrial and medical applications, including gas detection and breath analysis.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Internet fiber optics could provide valuable insight into geological phenomena

A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a method to turn existing telecommunication infrastructure into a valuable resource for monitoring ground vibrations. By using fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing technology, they can detect a wide variety of signal vibrations, including those caused by earthquakes, music concerts,...

Seafloor seismic sensor detects waves and quakes

Researchers successfully detected storm swell events and earthquakes across a nine-month observation period using the Curie cable's telecommunications data. The approach transforms the ocean's fiber optic network into a continuous, real-time earthquake and tsunami monitoring system.

Data transfer system connects silicon chips with a hair's-width cable

Researchers developed a data transfer system that pairs high-frequency silicon chips with a polymer cable as thin as a strand of hair, transmitting information up to 10 times faster than a USB. The system offers improved energy efficiency and bandwidth for applications such as server farms, aerospace, and automotive industries.

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.

Capturing free-space optical light for high-speed wifi

A Duke University research team has made a major advance toward ditching fiber in fiber optics by capturing visible and infrared light for high-speed wireless internet. The researchers replicated plasmonic speed enhancements on macroscopic devices, achieving speeds of two gigabits per second.

Pitt researcher receives ARPA-E grant to 'innervate' pipelines

Researchers aim to create an 'intelligent' pipeline that can detect defects through acoustic and vibrational signatures, enabling targeted in-situ repairs with reduced downtime and costs. The project also plans to develop economic models and regulatory modifications for commercialization.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Microstructured optical fibers find their 3D-printed groove

Researchers at KAUST developed a high-precision 3D printing process to fabricate photonic crystal fibers with unprecedented ease and precision. This allows for the creation of small-scale optical devices capable of using photons for high-speed information processing, featuring tight space confinement of light.

Innovations through hair-thin optical fibres

Researchers at the University of Bonn have created miniaturized optical fiber filters that are color-tunable and extremely compact. These filters have promising applications in quantum technology and sensor development, enabling efficient storage and manipulation of light energy.

Laser harmony

Researchers have developed a femtosecond laser with unprecedented precision and stability, allowing for the observation of chemical transformations inside cells and the creation of ultra-thin layers on microchips. The laser's harmonic mode locking system enables precise control over pulse frequencies, opening up new avenues for applica...

The world's first integrated quantum communication network

The team has established a quantum key distribution system over a total distance of 4,600 kilometers for users across China. The system uses trusted relays, ground-based fiber networks, and satellite-to-ground links to achieve unhackable encryption for secure information transfer.

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.

New optical fiber brings significant improvements to light-based gyroscopes

Researchers developed a new type of hollow core optical fiber, known as nodeless antiresonant fiber (NANF), to overcome performance limitations in resonator fiber optic gyroscopes. The new gyroscope achieves significant improvements in stability, enabling precise navigation systems for various applications.

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.

New fiber optic sensors transmit data up to 100 times faster

Fiber optic sensors have been upgraded with an advanced encoding and decoding system, allowing for faster and more accurate data transmission over wider areas. This technology, developed by EPFL engineers, enables real-time monitoring of hazards such as pipeline cracks and civil engineering deformations.

Stretchable 'skin' sensor gives robots human sensation

Researchers at Cornell University have created a stretchable 'skin' sensor that detects deformations and allows soft robotic systems to feel pressure, bending, and strain. This technology has the potential to revolutionize physical therapy and sports medicine by enabling machines to measure force interactions.

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.

High pressure is key for better optical fibers

Researchers from Hokkaido University and the US used computer simulations to show that high pressure can reduce light scattering in silica glass fibers by over 50%. This could enable longer distance data transmission without amplification, revolutionizing global communication.

Revealing the reason behind jet formation at the tip of laser optical fiber

A research team from Russia and Japan explored jet formation in an optical fiber immersed in liquid, revealing the reasons behind this phenomenon. The study found that the jet velocity depends on the relationship between the vapor bubble size and fiber radius, with potential applications for laser surgical techniques.

Intelligent nanomaterials for photonics

Scientists at the University of Jena have developed a novel material platform by integrating 2D materials with glass fibers, enabling novel applications in sensors and non-linear optics. The breakthrough allows for the direct growth of 2D materials on optical fibers, overcoming laborious transfer processes.

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.

Very sensitive optical receivers for space communication

A team of scientists has developed a free-space optical transmission system that relies on an optical amplifier without excess noise, achieving unprecedented error-free sensitivity of one photon-per-information-bit at 10.5 Gbit/s. The system operates at room temperature and is scalable to higher data rates.

Rochester researchers document an optical fiber beyond compare

Researchers at the University of Rochester developed an anti-resonant hollow-core fiber that produces significantly less noise compared to traditional single-mode fibers. This breakthrough enables promising platforms for low-noise applications, including quantum information processing and optical communications.

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 make tiny, yet complex fiber optic force sensor

A new, tiny fiber optic force sensor has been developed by researchers, enabling precise measurements of small forces and opening up potential applications in medical systems and manufacturing. The sensor, made of silica glass, measures forces with a resolution better than a micronewton and has a broad measuring range.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Using air to amplify light

Researchers at EPFL have created a technology to amplify light inside hollow-core optical fibers filled with air, increasing the light intensity significantly. This breakthrough enables longer-distance transmission and potential applications in thermometers and temporary optical memory.

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.

Smart textiles powered by soft transmission lines

Researchers have developed a technology that can detect various fabric deformations, such as stretch, pressure, and torque, using soft fiber-shaped sensors. These sensors operate like transmission lines and measure time intervals to determine deformation location, type, and intensity.