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Periodic table still influencing today's research

A Michigan State University scientist highlights current research driven by Mendeleev's Periodic Table, focusing on light absorption and electron transfer in compounds from the transition block. The goal is to develop abundant elements for global scalability in solar energy production.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience·DateFeb 7, 2019

'Quiet' light

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have successfully created a chip-scale laser that emits light with a fundamental linewidth of less than 1 Hz, quiet enough to move demanding scientific applications to the chip scale. This breakthrough uses stimulated Brillouin scattering to produce extremely quiet light and has significant implications ...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 1, 2019

Environmentally stable laser emits exceptionally pure light

Researchers developed a compact, environmentally stable laser with an ultra-narrow linewidth of 20 hertz, suitable for improving GPS accuracy and detecting gravitational waves. The laser's stability is maintained through self-referencing temperature sensing, allowing precise correction signals to be applied.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJan 31, 2019
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.

JILA researchers uncover quantum structure of buckyballs

Researchers measured hundreds of individual quantum energy levels in the buckyball, revealing its intricate structure and enabling new insights into extreme quantum complexity. The findings have potential applications in quantum computing and astrophysics.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateJan 28, 2019

Plasmonic pioneers fire away in fight over light

Researchers at Rice University argue that photoluminescence, not Raman scattering, is responsible for the remarkable light-emitting properties of metal nanoparticles. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in solar-cell efficiency and the development of new biosensors.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 28, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Brilliant glow of paint-on semiconductors comes from ornate quantum physics

Researchers have discovered eccentric quantum physics in emerging semiconducting materials, enabling unique radiance and energy-efficiency. These hybrid semiconductors, called halide organic-inorganic perovskite (HOIPs), are easy to produce and apply, with potential applications in lighting and solar panels.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 15, 2019

Chirality in 'real-time'

Scientists have created a system to probe biomolecules' chiral properties in real-time, providing insights into their biological function. The setup allows for the detection of enantiomers at picosecond resolution, overcoming previous limitations.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalOptica·DateJan 10, 2019
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.

Artificial bug eyes

Researchers have created bioinspired artificial compound eyes with improved visual properties, enabling better motion detection and light sensitivity. The innovative structure consists of tiny independent repeating visual receptors called ommatidia, grown on top of convex glass domes with antireflective and water-repellent nanostructures.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 9, 2019

Holographic color printing for optical security

Researchers at SUTD developed a new holographic colour printing device that modulates both phase and amplitude of light, increasing security and deterring counterfeiting. The technology uses nano-3D-printed polymer structures to display coloured images under ambient white light while projecting multiple holograms under laser illumination.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2019

Excitons pave the way to more efficient electronics

Researchers from EPFL's Laboratory of Nanoscale Electronics and Structures have found a way to control some of the properties of excitons, changing their polarization and generating light. This discovery can lead to a new generation of electronic devices with reduced energy loss and heat dissipation.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 4, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Twisting light to enable high-capacity data transmission

Researchers have developed tiny gears made of germanium that can generate a vortex of twisted light, enabling high-capacity data transmission with chip-based optical computing and communication. The new technology has the potential to boost the amount of data that can be transmitted using less light.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateDec 21, 2018

New optical memory cell achieves record data-storage density

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique that can store more optical data in a smaller space than previously possible on-chip, improving upon the phase-change optical memory cell. The new approach enables storing information in 34 levels, equivalent to 5 bits, and could help meet the growing need for computer data storage.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateDec 20, 2018

New type of low-energy nanolaser that shines in all directions

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology developed a new polariton laser that emits light in all directions, using deliberately imperfect silver nanostripes. The discovery has vast potential applications, including microscopy lighting, LIDAR technology, and general illumination.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 17, 2018
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.

MIT team invents method to shrink objects to the nanoscale

Researchers develop 'implosion fabrication' technique to create nanoscale 3D objects with high resolution and functional materials. The method enables assembly of materials in a low-density scaffold, allowing for easy modification and dense solid formation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateDec 13, 2018

Watching brain cells fire

Stanford researchers have developed a way to study the firing of individual brain cells using only light, eliminating the need for invasive methods. The new approach measures subtle changes in cell shape when they fire, allowing for a cleaner and simpler way to study the brain.

SourceStanford University·DateDec 13, 2018
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.

Terahertz laser for sensing and imaging outperforms its predecessors

The MIT-designed terahertz laser achieves three key performance goals: high constant power, tight beam pattern, and broad electric frequency tuning. This technology could be used for improved skin and breast cancer imaging, detecting drugs and explosives, and mapping the Milky Way galaxy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 11, 2018

Novel laser technology for microchip-size chemical sensors

Researchers at TU Wien develop a patent-pending technology to create frequency combs on a single chip, enabling chemical analysis in tiny spaces. The system can detect various chemical substances and is robust against disturbances, making it perfect for practical applications.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 10, 2018

Shedding a new light on optical trapping and tweezing

Wits physicists have developed a new device for manipulating and moving tiny objects, such as single cells in a human body or tiny particles in small volume chemistry, using the full beam of laser light. The device uses vector holographic trapping and tweezing to control and manipulate minute objects with high precision.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 27, 2018

Racing electrons under control

Researchers controlled electron flow in graphene using light waves, enabling faster data transmission. They used two-dimensional materials to achieve this feat, opening doors for new transistor technologies.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 26, 2018
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.

Radical approach for brighter LEDs

Scientists have discovered that semiconducting radicals can fabricate highly efficient OLEDs by exploiting their quantum mechanical 'spin' property, overcoming limitations of traditional materials. The new technology could lead to brighter displays and lighting technologies, including blue- and green-light radical-based diodes.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateNov 21, 2018

When AI and optoelectronics meet: Researchers take control of light properties

Researchers from INRS and University of Sussex create an AI-optimized photonic chip to customize the properties of broadband light sources, also known as supercontinuum. This innovation enables new imaging technologies and fundamental research into light-matter interactions.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 20, 2018

NRL demonstrates new non-mechanical laser steering technology

Scientists at NRL have developed a chip-based beam steering technology that steers laser light in two dimensions without mechanical devices, offering improved steering capability and higher scan speed rates. The new technology has potential applications in chemical sensing, monitoring emissions, and other industrial facilities.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalJournal of the Optical Society of America·DateNov 19, 2018
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.

Flying focus: Controlling lasers through time and space

Researchers have created a method to move intense laser focal points at any speed, including faster than the speed of light. This technique combines a lens that focuses specific colors of light at different locations with chirped-pulse amplification technology.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 5, 2018

Russian physicists upgrade cheap diode laser for use in precise measurements

Researchers have developed a method to narrow the emission spectrum of an ordinary diode laser, making it suitable for spectroscopic chemical analysis. The technique uses optical microresonators to generate frequency combs, which can be used in applications such as security monitoring systems and lidars for self-driving cars.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 2, 2018
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.

Army scientist seeks enhanced soldier systems through quantum research

Researchers at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory have created a topological quantum light source that can guide light around its edge, shielding it from disruptions. This breakthrough has the potential to enable more secure communications and enhanced sensing capabilities for soldiers.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalNature·DateNov 1, 2018
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.

UT Austin selected for new nationwide high-intensity laser network

The University of Texas at Austin will be a key player in LaserNetUS, a new national network of institutions operating high-intensity lasers. UT Austin's Texas Petawatt Laser will collaborate with leading optical and plasma physics scientists from around the US to advance research.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·DateOct 30, 2018

More goals in quantum soccer

Researchers at the University of Bonn have successfully applied the Purcell effect to improve the transmission of quantum information. By forcing photons onto a specific path using the Purcell effect, they achieved a significant increase in efficiency, enabling faster communication between quantum dots and transmitters.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 24, 2018

New laser advances

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a 'transistor' laser that can be manipulated at the nanoscale using an external voltage. This technology could lead to more accurate medical procedures and re-routing of fiber optic communication lines.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2018

A new way to measure nearly nothing

A new portable vacuum gauge, developed by NIST scientists, tracks changes in the number of cold lithium atoms trapped by laser and magnetic fields to measure pressure. This innovation uses ultracold trapped lithium atoms, which have an exceptionally low vapor pressure at room temperature.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMetrologia·DateOct 19, 2018
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.

Physics: Not everything is where it seems to be

Physicists at University of Innsbruck and TU Wien demonstrate that elliptical polarization causes a spiral shape in light wavefronts, leading to a distorted image of actual structures. This systematic error can affect biomedical research, super-resolution microscopy, and even astronomical object position estimation.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 15, 2018

Disrupting crystalline order to restore superfluidity

Researchers at the University of Hamburg disrupt crystalline order in a quantum system using light pulses, restoring superfluidity. The study demonstrates a fundamental mechanism for controlling phase transitions in many-body systems via light control.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 12, 2018
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Novel topological insulator

Researchers at the University of Würzburg and the Technion have successfully built a topological insulator operating with dual excitations, offering a novel platform for switched electronic systems and laser applications. The discovery showcases the potential of this material for advanced optoelectronic devices.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·DateOct 11, 2018

Efficiently turning light into electricity

Researchers at Osaka University have discovered carrier multiplication in certain perovskites, increasing efficiency up to 44% compared to traditional solar cells. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of more efficient photodetectors and solar cells.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2018

Versatile molecular system extends the promise of light-activated switches

Researchers at Dartmouth College developed a new molecular switch based on the hydrazone functional group, combining key properties of current light-activated switches. The molecule shows 'on-off' fluorescence emission toggling and can be used for data storage in both liquid and solid states.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 10, 2018
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.

Innovative sensing technique could improve greenhouse gas analysis

Researchers have developed a ghost imaging technique that can measure atmospheric greenhouse gases with subnanometer resolution, improving detection sensitivity and accuracy. The new approach enables measurements using less powerful light sources and at wavelengths where highly sensitive detectors aren't available.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateOct 10, 2018

ICESat-2 laser fires for first time, measures Antarctic height

ICESat-2 successfully fired its laser for the first time, sending photons to measure Antarctic height and detecting small changes in planet's ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice. The mission will continue with procedures to optimize the instrument, aiming to start getting excellent science-quality data within a month after launch.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 3, 2018

Microresonators offer a simpler approach to sensing with light pulses

Researchers developed a simpler method to generate multiple frequency combs using small devices called optical microresonators. The technology generates up to three frequency combs simultaneously, reducing the need for complex synchronization electronics and enabling faster acquisition times.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 1, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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