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'Metasurfaces' to usher in new optical technologies

Researchers have developed metasurfaces that can manipulate and control light, enabling new optical technologies with applications in solar cells, computers, and telecommunications. The technology uses metamaterials to harness surface plasmons and reduce the size of photons, promising breakthroughs in nanophotonic devices.

SourcePurdue University·JournalScience·DateMar 14, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New imaging device that is flexible, flat, and transparent

The new device uses a polymer sheet with fluorescent particles to capture incoming light and channel it to an array of sensors. This allows for the creation of high-resolution images without any internal components or electronics. The technology has potential applications in user interface devices that can respond to gestures alone.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 20, 2013

Invisible tool enables new quantum experiments

Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed a novel way to manipulate massive particles using nanosecond long flashes of laser light, enabling precise measurements of small forces and fields. This breakthrough allows for the investigation of quantum wave nature in both single molecules and clusters of molecules.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 11, 2013

Peering into living cells -- without dye nor fluophore

Researchers at EPFL have created a device that combines holographic microscopy and computational image processing to observe living biological tissues at the nanoscale. Three-dimensional images of living cells can be obtained in just a few minutes with an incredibly precise resolution of less than 100 nanometers.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 7, 2013
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Stanford researcher sheds new light on the mysteries of spider silk

A Stanford researcher has developed a non-invasive technique to measure the mechanical properties of an intact spider web, revealing surprising variations in stiffness and supercontraction. The study provides insights into the behavior of nature's strongest material and its potential applications in engineering bio-inspired materials.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 6, 2013

Light-emitting triangles may have applications in optical technology

Researchers at Penn State have successfully created single layers of the rare mineral tungstenite, forming triangular structures that exhibit photoluminescent properties. These findings hold promise for various optical technologies, including light detection and laser technology.

SourcePenn State·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 5, 2013

Using single quantum dots to probe nanowires

Scientists use single quantum dots to excite plasmons in metal wires, creating precise images of electric field intensity with 12-nm accuracy. This technique enables new hybrid electronics by combining photonics and electronics for efficient sensing and processing.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 5, 2013
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.

ASU scientists unravel the mysteries of spider silk

Researchers have uncovered the elastic properties of spider silk, with variations among fibers, junctions, and glue spots. The findings provide a blueprint for structural engineering of strong, stretchy, and elastic materials.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 27, 2013

NIST's 'nanotubes on a chip' may simplify optical power measurements

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a novel chip-scale instrument using carbon nanotubes to measure laser power with high accuracy. The mini-radiometer achieves this by absorbing light over a broad range of wavelengths and converting it to heat, allowing for precise measurements.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Letters·DateJan 25, 2013

DNA and quantum dots: All that glitters is not gold

Researchers at NIST have developed a way to predictably increase or decrease the intensity of quantum dot fluorescence by using DNA templates and controlling distances between gold nanoparticles. This breakthrough enables potential applications in photodetectors, chemical sensors, and nanoscale lasers.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJan 25, 2013

Scientists mimic fireflies to make brighter LEDs

Researchers developed a bio-inspired coating that enhances LED light extraction by up to 55 percent. The innovative design mimics the natural structure of firefly lanterns, which reduces internal reflections and allows more light to escape, ultimately making LEDs brighter while using less energy.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 8, 2013
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.

Nanoparticles reach new peaks

Rice University researchers have found a way to selectively heat diverse nanoparticles using short laser pulses. They demonstrated the effect in common gold nanoparticles, nanoparticle clusters, and mixed nanorods and nanoshells, showing narrow photothermal spectra and spectral selectivity.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 3, 2013

Rice uses light to remotely trigger biochemical reactions

Researchers at Rice University have created a method to trigger biochemical reactions remotely on demand by exposing plasmonic gold nanoparticles to near-infrared light, enabling chemical processes to occur at lower temperatures. This technology has great potential for industrial applications, including energy savings and more sustaina...

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 13, 2012

Point of light

Researchers at Caltech developed a new waveguide that channels light and focuses surface plasmon polaritons to achieve nanoscale precision. The device has the potential to revolutionize biological imaging and computer storage by allowing for high-resolution maps of molecules and increased memory capacity.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 7, 2012
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 thermodynamics

Researchers found that blackbody radiation shifts caused by surrounding chamber temperature can impose limits on atomic clock precision. The study, led by Charles Clark and Marianna Safronova, explores how ytterbium atoms are affected by this faint form of influence, crucial for future clock recalibrations.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 4, 2012

Webcams offer a low-cost way to tune lasers for serious science

A new diffraction spectrometer uses a webcam and diffraction grating to achieve sub-picometer accuracy in laser tuning. The instrument is simple enough for undergraduate physics labs, providing training in optics and the wave nature of light.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateDec 4, 2012

Curiosity shakes, bakes, and tastes Mars with SAM

Curiosity rover analyzed its first solid sample of Mars using the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite. The analysis included separating molecules, identifying chemicals, and detecting volatiles and isotopes to search for signs of life.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 3, 2012
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.

Illuminating the no-man's land of waters' surface

Researchers challenge a long-held hypothesis on water's surface charge, finding that intrinsic properties of water molecules are responsible. Using advanced techniques like nonlinear optics and light diffusion, scientists detect negative charges even in the absence of impurities.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 27, 2012

Undisturbed excitation with pulsed light

Scientists have developed a method to prevent 'light shifts' in atomic energy levels using pulsed radiation. The 'hyper' Ramsey excitation scheme suppresses the effect, allowing for more accurate measurements and potentially greater accuracy in optical clocks.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 22, 2012

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.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 20, 2012

Optical boomerangs, ultralight fractal materials, and more

Researchers have created self-bending light beams that can move along curved paths and heal themselves, potentially using them to manipulate particles and data. Meanwhile, scientists have also designed ultralight fractal materials that could be used to build solar sails with reduced weight, potentially improving space propulsion.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 13, 2012

Powering lasers through heat

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck propose a novel method for powering lasers through heat, which could provide internal cooling and revolutionize microchip technology. The concept involves using temperature gradients to separate cold and warm areas in the laser, allowing for efficient energy transfer.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 13, 2012
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.

CERN collider to become the world's fastest stopwatch?

Scientists at Vienna University of Technology propose a new measuring method using the forward calorimeter at CERN, enabling the creation of the world's most precise stopwatch for light pulses. This could revolutionize quark-gluon plasma physics and open up new avenues for nuclear research.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 12, 2012

Developing the next generation of microsensors

Researchers at Caltech engineer a new class of microsensors using laser light, enabling detection of motions in tens of microseconds. The sensors can measure both extremely small and large accelerations, making them valuable for various applications including oil and gas exploration and biomedical uses.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 17, 2012
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.

Longest fiber-optic sensor network developed

Montserrat Fernández-Vallejo has developed the longest fibre-optic sensor network measuring 250 km with a multiplexing capability, enabling remote monitoring of large infrastructures. The network addresses three main challenges: multiplexing sensors, ensuring continued service in case of faults, and allowing remote monitoring.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalIEEE Sensors Journal·DateOct 1, 2012

Nanoparticles glow through thick layer of tissue

Researchers created photoluminescent nanoparticles that shine clearly through over 3 centimeters of biological tissue. The particles, made with calcium-fluoride shells and thulium core, provide high-contrast imaging without adverse effects.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 28, 2012

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.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 28, 2012
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.

Automatic building mapping could help emergency responders

A prototype sensor array worn on the chest automatically creates a digital map of the wearer's environment, recognizing movement between floors. The system is envisioned as a tool to help emergency responders coordinate disaster response by providing accurate location estimates and visual features of the surroundings.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateSep 24, 2012

Light squeezed on a quantum scale

Griffith University researchers have developed a new technique for ultra-precise motion tracking using quantum-enhanced optical phase tracking. By combining

SourceGriffith University·JournalScience·DateSep 21, 2012

Penn researchers make first all-optical nanowire switch

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an all-optical photonic switch made from cadmium sulfide nanowires, enabling faster and more efficient light manipulation. This breakthrough paves the way for significant advancements in photonics and its applications in computing.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 10, 2012

UCF researchers record world record laser pulse

A University of Central Florida research team has created a 67-attosecond laser pulse, allowing scientists to watch electrons move in atoms and molecules. The technique, called Double Optical Grating, enables extreme ultraviolet light to be concentrated into the shortest possible pulse.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 4, 2012
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.

Breakthrough in nanotechnology

UCF researchers have made a breakthrough in nanotechnology by developing nanoclusters that can diffuse high-energy laser beams. These tiny clusters of gold particles have the potential to protect pilots and sensitive equipment from destructive lasers, providing a new level of safety for these applications.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 29, 2012

Synchronized lasers measure how light changes matter

Researchers successfully probed the effects of light on matter at the atomic scale by mixing x-ray and optical light waves. This technique allows them to directly measure how light manipulates chemical bonds in materials, enabling new insights into light-matter interactions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateAug 29, 2012

Flat lens offers a perfect image

Researchers at Harvard University have created an ultrathin flat lens that focuses light without imparting distortions, approaching the physical limit set by diffraction laws. The device is scalable and simple to manufacture, making it a promising new technology for fiber-optic communications.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 23, 2012
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New super-resolution microscope to be built at UH with $1 million grant

A new super-resolution microscope will be built at the University of Houston with a $1 million grant, allowing scientists to study the chemical properties of surfaces more accurately. The device combines sum frequency generation and compressive sensing imaging techniques to provide detailed data on surface reactions.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateAug 14, 2012

Clemson researchers make optical fibers from common materials

Researchers at Clemson University have developed optical fibers using highly purified silica and sapphire, pushing the limits of current fiber technology. The goal is to create stronger and more durable fiber material for telecommunications and high-energy applications.

SourceClemson University·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 13, 2012

Major step taken towards 'unbreakable' message exchange

Researchers have successfully produced and implemented single particles of light into a quantum key distribution link, enabling secure communication networks. The experiment uses semiconductor nanostructures to emit single photons with high efficiency, making it possible to transmit keys over longer distances without interception.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateAug 3, 2012
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.

Higher energies for laser-accelerated particles possible

Researchers at HZDR demonstrate proton acceleration in the direction of the laser light, achieving unprecedented high energies. This breakthrough enables future cancer therapy applications with ultra-short pulse lasers.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 2, 2012

Plasma startup creates high-energy light to make smaller microchips

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a plasma-based technology that produces high-energy light, which can be used to etch next-generation microchips with 13.5-nanometer wavelengths. This breakthrough has the potential to overcome the industry's current limitations and enable further miniaturization of electronics.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateJun 28, 2012

First 3-D nanoscale optical cavities from metamaterials

Researchers at Berkeley Lab develop 3D optical cavities with potential to generate intense nanolaser beams, suitable for various technologies including LEDs and optical sensing. The unique electromagnetic properties of these cavities enable new approaches for designing nano-scale optical cavities.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 26, 2012
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.

Rewriting quantum chips with a beam of light

Researchers from CCNY and UC Berkeley have created rewritable computer chips using a beam of light. The technique, published in Nature Communications, uses laser light to control the spin of an atom's nucleus for encoding information.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 26, 2012

Seeing inside tissue

Caltech engineers enable focusing of light deep into biological tissue, opening up possibilities for non-invasive diagnoses and treatments. The technique uses ultrasound waves to shift the frequency of light, allowing for image creation without scattering effects.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 26, 2012

Researchers estimate ice content of crater at moon's south pole

Researchers estimate that ice may make up 22 percent of Shackleton crater's surface material using laser light from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The team discovered the crater's floor is brighter than nearby craters, indicating possible ice presence.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2012
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.

All the colors of a high-energy rainbow, in a tightly focused beam

An international team produced a coherent beam that includes X-rays for the first time using a setup on a laboratory table. The researchers converted part of the original laser energy into a super-continuum of light extending well into the X-ray region, enabling the study of fastest physical processes in nature.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2012

Keeping up with embryogenesis

A new imaging technology captures unprecedented speed and precision of embryogenesis, enabling quantitative analyses of developmental processes. The SiMView light sheet microscope allows users to track each cell in an embryo as it takes shape over hours or days.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateJun 5, 2012
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.

Short movies stored in an atomic vapor

Researchers at Joint Quantum Institute store and replay two separate images, a feat of cinematography, using a room-temperature vapor of atoms. The new storage process has great promise for quantum information and may lead to the development of a random access memory for continuous variable quantum information.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalOptics Express·DateMay 29, 2012

Thousands of invisibility cloaks trap a rainbow

A team of American researchers has created an array of 25,000 individual invisibility cloaks that can slow down or stop light, creating a trapped rainbow. This technology enables 'spectroscopy on-a-chip' for detailed analysis of biological materials.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateMay 24, 2012
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.

Exotic particles, chilled and trapped, form giant matter wave

Physicists have successfully trapped and cooled exotic particles called excitons, condensing them into a giant matter wave that coheres at extremely low temperatures. This breakthrough allows scientists to better study the physical properties of excitons, promising applications in efficient solar energy harvesting and ultrafast computing.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 24, 2012

First light: NIST researchers develop new way to generate superluminal pulses

Researchers at NIST have developed a novel method for generating superluminal light pulses through four-wave mixing, which can be used to improve communication timing and investigate quantum correlations. The technique introduces cleaner, less noisy pulses with increased speed, potentially enabling faster-than-light information transfer.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 3, 2012