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Tiny probes shine brightly to reveal the location of targeted tissues

Researchers have developed new tiny probes called BRIGHTs that bind to biomarkers of disease and light up to reveal their location when swept by an infrared laser. These probes, made of gold nanoparticles with Raman reporters, create an electromagnetic hotspot that boosts the reporters' emission by a factor of nearly a trillion.

Antenna-on-a-chip rips the light fantastic

The Rice team's device can modulate a signal at more than 10 gigabits per second, making it suitable for real-time video processing and high-speed data throughput. This breakthrough has the potential to scale up the capability of optical information processing systems by several magnitudes.

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.

NASA/NOAA's Suomi NPP captures night-time view of Sandy's landfall

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on NASA/NOAA's Suomi NPP captured a composite image of Hurricane Sandy just hours before its historic landfall. The satellite's day-night band sensor revealed city lights and clouds illuminated by the full moon, providing a unique view of the storm's structure.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Sandy approaching Jamaica

Tropical Storm Sandy is expected to become a hurricane before reaching Jamaica and Cuba, prompting hurricane warnings and watches for the region. The storm's strongest thunderstorms are surrounded by cloud top temperatures as cold as -63F (-52C), indicating hurricane-force winds.

Galaxy halos are produced by orphan stars, findings indicate

Researchers from UC Irvine and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have discovered that galaxy halos are likely caused by orphan stars ejected from galaxies during violent mergers. The team used data from the Spitzer Space Telescope to study the patterns of diffuse light, finding that it is too strong to be explained by earlier theories.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Suomi NPP satellite sees auroras over North America

The Suomi NPP satellite observed a geomagnetic storm on October 8, 2012, resulting in beautiful displays of northern lights across Canada. The satellite's 'day-night band' sensor detected visible light emissions from energetic particles raining down from Earth's magnetosphere.

Electrons confined inside nano-pyramids

Researchers in Dresden observed how electrons in individual quantum dots absorb energy and emit it as light. They used scanning near-field microscopy to excite electrons and measure their energy levels.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Hubble goes to the eXtreme to assemble farthest-ever view of the universe

The eXtreme Deep Field (XDF) image is a small fraction of the angular diameter of the full moon, containing about 5,500 galaxies. The XDF reveals galaxies that span back 13.2 billion years in time, providing a 'time tunnel into the distant past' and shedding light on the early universe's dramatic birth and evolution.

First 2 Webb Telescope flight mirrors delivered to NASA

The James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror is composed of 18 hexagonal-shaped assemblies weighing over 40 kilograms each. The delivery of the first two mirrors marks an important step towards the telescope's integration and fulfillment of its scientific potential, enabling study of distant galaxies and the universe's formation.

Ultra-distant galaxy spied amidst cosmic 'Dark Ages'

Astronomers have detected a potentially most distant galaxy ever seen, offering a glimpse into the universe's earliest epochs. The galaxy, observed through gravitational lensing, has a redshift of 9.6 and is estimated to be less than 200 million years old.

Berkeley Lab sensors enable first light for the dark energy camera

DECam, the most powerful sky survey instrument built, relies on Berkeley Lab's red-sensitive astronomical CCDs for exceptional sensitivity and resolution. This collaboration has enabled scientists to collect images of distant galaxies and measure the expansion history of the universe with unprecedented precision.

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.

New infrared spectroscopy technique

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new method for studying the interaction between pharmaceuticals and their target proteins. The new technique uses infrared difference spectroscopy, which allows for the analysis of dynamic processes in proteins that were previously inaccessible.

New instrument sifts through starlight to reveal new worlds

Project 1640 has achieved unprecedented high-contrast imaging, revealing celestial objects 1 million to 10 million times fainter than the star at its center. The instrument can darken speckles far beyond any previous capability, effectively carving a dark square in the speckle background centered on the star.

Romancing the firefly

Researchers at Tufts University found that female fireflies prefer males with larger nuptial gifts after mating, leading to higher reproductive success. This discovery challenges the conventional view that flash duration is the primary cue for female choice in firefly courtship.

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.

Graphene Research: Trapping light in a carbon net

Researchers have successfully trapped and controlled light within a graphene lattice, allowing for the development of computers with optical switches. This breakthrough demonstrates the high potential of graphene in nanoelectronics.

Graphene is a tunable plasmonic medium

Scientists have demonstrated that they can control the length and height of plasmons on graphene using an electrical circuit, opening up possibilities for information processing in tight spaces. This breakthrough uses infrared light to excite surface plasmons with wavelengths as short as 100 nanometers.

Syracuse University researchers use nanotechnology to harness power of fireflies

Researchers at Syracuse University have developed a system that harnesses the natural light produced by fireflies using nanoscience, producing a system 20-30 times more efficient than previous experiments. The breakthrough uses custom quantum nanorods to transfer energy from a chemical reaction between luciferin and luciferase enzymes.

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.

Cosmic calculations

A University of Delaware-led research team has developed more accurate calculations for the interactions between molecules of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, essential for spectroscopy in astrophysics. These advancements enable researchers to analyze molecular clouds where stars are born with greater precision.

Fast, low-power, all-optical switch

The JQI switch can steer a beam of light from one direction to another in 120 picoseconds using only 140 photons, requiring minimal power. This achievement marks a significant step toward creating ultrafast and low-energy on-chip signal routers.

Folding light: Wrinkles and twists boost power from solar panels

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a method to increase the power output of flexible, low-cost solar cells by creating microscopic folds on the surface of photovoltaic material. This technique increases the absorption of light and generation of energy, particularly in the red spectrum, where conventional solar panels st...

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.

Salk scientists discover how plants grow to escape shade

Researchers found that phytochrome interacting factor 7 (PIF7) serves as key messenger between plant's cellular light sensors and production of auxins, hormones that stimulate stem growth. This discovery could lead to high-yield crops that gather light more efficiently and make better use of farmland.

Exotic materials will change optics, Duke researchers say

Duke researchers have developed exotic materials that can control light at will, allowing for the creation of holograms in the infrared range. The team's innovative approach enables a broad range of optical devices with complex properties, opening up new possibilities for advanced optics and optoelectronics.

Metamaterials may advance with new femtosecond laser technique

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new method to create three-dimensional patterns of silver dots using a femtosecond laser. This technique advances nanoscale metal lithography and enables the creation of bulk metamaterials with unique optical properties.

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.

New super-Earth detected within the habitable zone of a nearby cool star

A team of scientists has detected a potentially habitable super-Earth orbiting a nearby M-class dwarf star called GJ 667C. The planet receives 90% of the light that Earth receives and is expected to absorb similar amounts of energy, which could lead to surface temperatures similar to those on Earth.

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.

'Nanoantennas' show promise in optical innovations

Researchers at Purdue University have developed nanoantennas that precisely manipulate light, allowing for the alteration of its phase and propagation direction. This enables potential applications in steering and shaping laser beams, nanocircuits for computers, and powerful lenses for microscopes.

How long do electrons live in graphene?

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have measured the lifetime of electrons in graphene in lower energy ranges. The study reveals that the energy of light particles and atomic lattice oscillations influence electron lifetimes, with longer lifetimes observed when excitation energies are lower than lattice oscillations.

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.

Using light, researchers convert 2-D patterns into 3-D objects

Researchers at NC State University have developed a method to convert 2D patterns into 3D shapes by heating pre-stressed plastic sheets under infrared light. Varying the width of black lines creates different hinge folds, enabling the creation of complex structures

Health check on the road

A research team at TUM has developed a sensor system that monitors drivers' vital signs, including heart rate, skin conductance, and oxygen saturation, to prevent fainting spells or heart attacks. The system uses simple sensors in the steering wheel and can initiate measures such as phone call blocking or emergency braking if necessary.

Future 'comb on a chip': NIST's compact frequency comb could go places

Researchers at NIST have developed a compact laser frequency comb, the first to use a cavity made of fused silica. The micro-comb is about the size of a shoebox and relies on a low-power laser and the cavity's unusual properties. It has wide spacing between teeth, allowing scientists to easily measure and manipulate them.

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.

Watching electrons in molecules

For the first time, Prof. Hans Jakob Wörner and colleagues have recorded electronic motion during a complete chemical reaction using attosecond spectroscopy on nitrogen dioxide molecules. This experiment reveals details of chemical reaction mechanisms that were not accessible to most previous experimental techniques.

Patented method transforms digital cameras for aerial color infrared photography

A team of scientists at the US Department of Agriculture has patented a method to convert commercial digital cameras into color infrared cameras for aerial photography. This technology allows for immediate image availability without further processing, making it ideal for detecting farmland extent and crop health. The innovation enable...

Stanford engineers create nanoscale nonlinear light source

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a nanoscale nonlinear optical device that can be controlled electronically, offering potential applications in data communications and information processing. The device uses plasmonics to intensify light and produce a powerful electrical field.

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.

NASA'S Webb telescope completes mirror-coating milestone

The mirrors of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have completed the coating process with a microscopically thin layer of gold, enabling the telescope to observe extremely faint objects in infrared light. This achievement marks another major success story for the Webb telescope mirrors, ensuring even more scientific discovery potential.

Taming light

Researchers achieve precise control over ultrashort light pulses, enabling the manipulation of electron motion in atoms and molecules. This breakthrough enables new tools for studying sub-atomic processes and understanding atomic interactions.

A whole new light on graphene metamaterials

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have demonstrated a microscale device made of graphene that can tune its response to light at terahertz frequencies with exquisite precision. The device uses an array of graphene ribbons to control collective oscillations of electrons, or plasmons, which absorb different frequencies of light.

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.

Penn molecular scientists develop color-changing stress sensor

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a color-changing stress sensor using polymersomes and porphyrins, allowing for early detection of system failures. The technology has the potential to monitor drug delivery and track stress in cellular membranes.

Solar cells get a boost from bouncing light

A new solar cell design boosts electricity generation by 26% through bouncing light, increasing the potential of dye-sensitized solar cells. The layered structure, consisting of micrometer-scale spheres and nanoscale particles, enhances light absorption and conversion efficiency.

New invisibility cloak hides objects from human view

Researchers have developed a reflective 'carpet cloak' made of silicon oxide and silicon nitride, which conceals an object under layers and bends light waves around it. The device demonstrates the possibility of actual invisibility for the light seen by the human eye, surpassing previous infrared-based demonstrations.

Farthest, largest water mass in universe discovered

Researchers detected massive water vapor in a distant quasar, equivalent to 34 billion times the mass of Earth. The discovery was made using a spectrograph called Z-Spec and reveals a time when the universe was only 1.6 billion years old.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Scientists develop sensitive skin for robots

Researchers at TUM create an artificial skin for robots that simulates human-like touch and temperature detection, allowing machines to interact with their environment in a more human-like way. The system uses sensors to register movement and detect changes in the robot's surroundings, enabling it to develop self-awareness.

Discovery of parathyroid glow promises to reduce endocrine surgery risk

Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that parathyroid glands emit a unique fluorescent signature in the near-infrared region, which can be used to identify them during endocrine surgery. This innovation has the potential to reduce the risk of damage to these tiny organs and their life-long effects on patients' health.

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.

First-of-its-kind fluorescence map offers a new view of the world's land plants

Scientists from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have produced groundbreaking global maps of land plant fluorescence, providing a more direct window into the inner workings of photosynthesis. The maps show sharp contrasts in plant fluorescence between seasons and demonstrate the feasibility of measuring fluorescence from space.