Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Scientists shed light on the private lives of electrons

Researchers at Princeton University developed a laser technique to observe how electrons become entangled, shedding new light on the Kondo state and its potential applications in quantum computing. The study reveals fresh insights into the complex relationship between an isolated electron and its surroundings.

Scientists use 'optogenetics' to control reward-seeking behavior

Scientists have manipulated brain wiring responsible for reward-seeking behaviors using optogenetics, a technique that can tweak microcircuitry with millisecond precision. The study found that targeting the connection between the amygdala and nucleus accumbens may represent potential treatments for addiction and other neuropsychiatric ...

Tiny ring laser accurately detects and counts nanoparticles

A tiny ring laser can detect and count individual nanoparticles with high accuracy, offering a breakthrough in sensing technology. The sensor's effective resolution limit is about one nanometer, making it orders of magnitude more sensitive than earlier passive resonators.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Single GFP-expressing cell is basis of living laser device

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a living laser device using a single GFP-expressing cell, which can produce hundreds of pulses of laser light. The cellular device refocuses the light and induces emission of laser light at lower energy levels than required for solution-based devices.

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.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Researchers create terahertz invisibility cloak

A team of researchers at Northwestern University has created a terahertz invisibility cloak that manipulates light to render objects invisible in the terahertz range. This design could have implications for biomedical research, security and communication.

A less painful colonoscopy

Researchers at Tufts University have developed a device that can help reduce patient discomfort during colonoscopies by detecting and preventing 'looping' of the scope. The EFOST technology uses fiber optic bend sensors to create a visual image of the scope's position and shape, allowing doctors to make adjustments in real-time.

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.

Laser sparks revolution in internal combustion engines

Researchers have developed a new laser system that can ignite engine air-fuel mixtures more efficiently than traditional spark plugs. The laser system is made from ceramics and promises less pollution and greater fuel economy, but further testing is needed to make it commercially viable.

Ultra-fast magnetic reversal observed

Researchers have discovered a new phenomenon that enables ultrafast magnetic reversal, which could lead to significantly faster data storage. The study found that certain atoms can reverse their magnetization in as little as 300 femtoseconds, making it possible for magnetic memory to operate at terahertz speeds.

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.

Better lasers for optical communications

Researchers at EPFL and EMPA developed a technique to improve control over laser parameters, including wavelength and polarization. This innovation boosts high-speed optical fiber communications with reduced errors, while also enabling energy-efficient lasers and precise spectroscopic applications.

New device promises safer way to deliver powerful drugs

Researchers have developed a new drug delivery device that uses optical fibers to target specific areas of the body, reducing toxicity and side effects. The device is designed to deliver high-powered photosensitive chemicals directly to tumors or infected areas, potentially killing cancer cells and bacteria.

Princeton engineers make breakthrough in ultra-sensitive sensor technology

Researchers developed a breakthrough sensor using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) that boosts faint signals, allowing identification of substances based on reflected light color. The chip's design features uniform rows of tiny pillars made of metals and insulators, significantly boosting the Raman signal.

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.

New kind of optical fiber developed

Researchers have developed a new class of optical fibers using zinc selenide, enabling more efficient light manipulation and transmission in the infrared spectrum. This breakthrough has potential applications in medical lasers, countermeasure lasers, and environmental monitoring.

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 build world's first anti-laser

The team built a functioning anti-laser called a coherent perfect absorber (CPA), which absorbs 99.4% of incoming light and could pave the way for novel technologies in optical computing and radiology.

A guide star lets scientists see deep into human tissue

Scientists can now focus light to a controllable position within tissue, overcoming the challenges of scattering in biological tissues. This breakthrough technology uses an ultrasound guide star and time-reversal mirror to create high-resolution images of objects within tissue.

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.

Engineers grow nanolasers on silicon, pave way for on-chip photonics

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a method to grow nanolasers directly onto a silicon surface, enabling highly efficient silicon photonics. This breakthrough could lead to powerful biochemical sensors and faster microprocessors, as well as new applications in computing, communications, displays, and optical signal processing.

'Air laser' may sniff bombs, pollutants from a distance

Researchers at Princeton University developed an air laser that can detect hidden bombs, pollutants, and greenhouse gases from afar. The new technique uses an ultraviolet laser pulse to generate an entirely new beam of light that interacts with molecules in the air, providing a powerful tool for remote measurements.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

City Tech research team casts light on asteroid deflection

A New York City College of Technology research team has developed a method to deflect asteroids using solar sail technology. The technique involves heating the surface of an asteroid to create a jet stream, which would alter its trajectory and potentially convert an Earth impact into a near miss.

Sharply focused on neurons, light controls a worm's behavior

Researchers developed an optogenetic device to control the behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans worms using pulses of blue and green light. They successfully activated or inactivated specific neurons or muscle cells, turning the worm into a virtual biorobot.

The 'Spaser' heats up laser technology

Researchers developed a groundbreaking nano-laser called Spaser, which can be as small as needed to fuel future technologies. The device uses surface plasma waves, allowing it to operate at speeds 100 times greater than current devices.

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.

Fastest movie in the world recorded

Researchers at Helmholtz Association create ultrafast image sequences of nanostructures, enabling real-time observation of molecules and nanostructures. The breakthrough method uses X-ray pulses to capture images at femtosecond intervals, paving the way for new insights into fundamental processes in natural sciences.

Scientists take plasmon lasers out of deep freeze

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new technique that allows plasmon lasers to operate at room temperature. This achievement is a major step towards applications for plasmon lasers in single-molecule biodetectors, photonic circuits, and high-speed optical communication systems. The scientists were able to enhance the emission ...

Iowa State, Ames Lab physicist developing, improving designer optical materials

Researchers at Iowa State University and Ames Laboratory are developing designer optical materials that can refract light in a negative angle, enabling control over light like semiconductors control electricity. These materials have the potential to create flat superlenses with superior resolution for biomedical applications.

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.

Making wafers faster by making features smaller

Researchers developed a new intense 13.5-nm light source using tin and lithium plasmas, which can reduce feature size by an order of magnitude, resolving the fundamental limit in semiconductor manufacturing. The technology has shown promising results, with tin plasmas producing twice as much emission as lithium plasmas.

Rice researchers take molecule's temperature

Rice University researchers have developed a technique to measure the temperature of molecules using Raman spectroscopy and an optical antenna. They found that they could detect temperature fluctuations of up to 20 degrees in the molecules, which will be useful for the molecular electronics community.

World's first microlaser emitting in 3-D

Researchers develop a microdroplet 3D laser system using cholesteric liquid crystals, producing the world's first practical three-dimensional laser. The design is small, tunable, cheap, and can be made by millions in seconds.

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.

Tiny laser light show illuminates quantum computing

Researchers have developed a micromirror-based beam steering system that can precisely control individual atoms using tiny laser pulses. This technology has the potential to enable more efficient and accurate quantum computing applications.

Rotating light provides indirect look into the nucleus

Researchers have developed a new technique using rotating light to observe nuclei indirectly via orbiting electrons, providing complementary information to conventional NMR. This method uses Optical Faraday Rotation and can magnify the signal by creating a long optical path in a short tube.

Subsurface scattering in point-based rendering

A new framework for rendering subsurface scattering on surfaces represented by points is introduced, providing a significant improvement in transparency and realism for translucent materials. The method uses two additional computation passes to simulate the light diffusion phenomenon inside multilayered materials.

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.

Bonn physicists create a 'super-photon'

Physicists from the University of Bonn have developed a new source of light, a Bose-Einstein condensate consisting of photons. By cooling and concentrating Rubidium atoms, they created a 'super-photon' with characteristics resembling lasers.

New initiative to develop a system that controls prosthetic limbs naturally

A new $5.6 million initiative aims to create a system that controls prosthetic limbs naturally by sensing and stimulating nerve activity. The Vanderbilt team, in collaboration with SMU researchers, is developing a neurophotonics-based system that uses laser beams to stimulate sensory nerves and provide feedback to the brain.

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.

All-optical transistor

Researchers at EPFL have discovered an all-optical transistor that controls the flow of light using a novel optical microresonator. The device enables a strong 'control' laser to turn on or off a weaker 'probe' laser, opening up new possibilities for telecommunications and photonics.

AFM positioning: Shining light on a needle in a haystack

Researchers use a tightly focused, low-power laser beam to optically scan the area and identify target locations by minute changes in scattered light. This technique solves the 'needle in a haystack' problem of nanoscale microscopy, finding nanoscale objects with precision.

Plasma as a fast optical switch

Scientists have observed relativistic transparency in plasma, allowing it to act as a fast optical switch. This phenomenon enables the flow of light through previously opaque material in less than a tenth of a picosecond.

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.

Light on silicon better than copper?

Duke University engineers have designed and demonstrated microscopically small lasers integrated with thin film-light guides on silicon that could replace copper in a host of electronic products. The new approach solves some of the unanswered riddles facing scientists trying to create and control light at such a miniscule scale.

Treating cancer with light

Scientists at UC Irvine have designed a new device using spatial frequency domain imaging to image cancerous lesions and monitor the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for skin cancer. The device, which uses an array of LEDs, can provide detailed images of the biochemistry of tissue, enabling targeted treatment.

JILA unveils improved 'molecular fingerprinting' for trace gas detection

Scientists have developed an improved laser-based technique to detect traces of key molecules in a gas, including greenhouse gases and pollutants. The new technology can identify a wider variety of molecules with lower concentration levels than before, making it suitable for applications such as breath analysis and atmospheric monitoring.

Queen's University discovery could impact how the body receives medicine

Researchers at Queen's University have discovered the molecular cooperation that enables light-controlled drug release and shape changes in glass and plastic. The findings could one day be used to facilitate medicinal drug distribution by allowing doctors to control the time and rate at which drugs are delivered into the body.

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.

A tracking device that fits on the head of a pin

Researchers have developed nano-sized optical gyroscopes that can fit on the head of a pin, improving rotation rates and accuracy in smartphones and medical equipment. These devices will enable enhanced tracking capabilities, including GPS system improvements and navigation for small capsules within the body.

Physicists break color barrier for sending, receiving photons

Researchers at the University of Oregon have invented a method to change the color of single photons in a fiber optic cable, enabling faster data transfer and more secure communication. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize quantum computing and internet security.

Sneaking spies into a cell's nucleus

Researchers have successfully slipped silver nanoparticles cloaked in HIV protein into the nucleus of cells, where they can detect subtle light signals and deliver payloads. This innovation has potential implications for disease treatment and basic scientific research.

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.