Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nano antenna concentrates light

Researchers at Rice University have developed a nano antenna that can concentrate light by a factor of 1,000. By measuring the electrical current flowing between two gold tips separated by a nanoscale gap, they were able to determine the amplification of light intensity in the gap.

Random numbers game with quantum dice

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Physics of Light create device generating true random numbers using vacuum fluctuations, crucial for secure encryption and economic simulations. The device exploits quantum mechanics' inherent randomness to produce unpredictable outcomes.

Laser-based missile defense for helicopters being developed

Researchers have created a new mid-infrared supercontinuum laser that can blind heat-seeking missiles from a distance of 1.8 miles away, providing a promising solution for helicopter protection in combat zones. The technology is being commercialized through Omni Sciences, Inc., which has received $1 million in grants from the Army and ...

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.

NIST sensor measures yoctonewton forces fast

Physicists at NIST developed a new sensor to detect forces at the scale of yoctonewtons using trapped ions. The sensor achieved a measurement speed of 390 yoctonewtons in one second, outperforming previous records by an order of magnitude.

NIST researchers create 'quantum cats' made of light

Researchers at NIST have created an optical Schrödinger's cat by detecting three photons simultaneously, a state predicted in quantum optics for years. This achievement enhances prospects for manipulating light to improve measurement techniques and contribute to quantum computing and communications.

Purple light means go, ultraviolet light means stop

Researchers at University of Rochester developed a unique light-controlled membrane that can block gas flow when ultraviolet light is applied and allow it to flow when purple light is used. This innovation has potential applications in controlled drug delivery and industrial processing tasks.

Some like it hot: How to heat a 'nano bathtub' the JILA way

JILA's technique uses infrared laser light to quickly and precisely heat 'nano bathtubs'—tiny sample containers—for microscopy studies of single molecules and nanoparticles. The new method enables fast, noncontact heating of very small samples, enabling new experiments with single molecules.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Engineered coral pigment helps scientists to observe protein movement

Scientists have engineered a variant of fluorescent protein from reef coral to observe protein movement in live cells. The newly created mIrisFP has excellent properties as a genetically encoded marker protein, enabling the study of dynamical processes within live cells at high spatial resolution.

Highest X-ray energy used to probe materials

Researchers used an XFEL to probe nitrogen gas at up to 8 keV, a record-high X-ray energy. The study revealed the interaction between nitrogen gas and the XFEL beam, including electron dynamics and space charge effects. Understanding these dynamics will change our understanding of chemistry, physics, and materials science.

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.

Nano-sized light mill drives micro-sized disk

Researchers have created a nano-sized light mill motor that can control rotational speed and direction by tuning incident light waves. The motor's power density is high, and it can be used to drive micro-scale objects, enabling new applications in nanotechnology and biology.

Electrons are late starters

Scientists measure delay of tens of attoseconds between light pulse and electron emission, challenging existing models. The findings have important implications for simulating electronic properties of materials.

Delayed time zero in photoemission

Researchers used ultra-short time measurement technology to test the assumption that electrons leave atoms immediately after photon impact. They found a small but measurable time delay of about twenty attoseconds, indicating electrons 'hesitate' before leaving.

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.

Fly cells flock together, follow the light

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used a laser beam to activate a protein that makes a cluster of fruit fly cells behave like a school of fish, following the lead of one stimulated with light. This study holds potential importance for understanding embryonic development and tumor metastasis.

Shining a light around corners

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a way to control the curvature of Airy beams, which can be used to sort molecules according to size or quality. This technology has immediate applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Chaotic laser brings out higher precision OTDR

A new concept of optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) based on a chaotic light correlation method has been developed, achieving distance-independent resolutions of up to 25 km. This technique uses broadband chaotic light generated from a laser diode to improve the accuracy of fiber fault location.

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 X-ray laser's early success brings approval for next-phase facility

The US Department of Energy has granted approval for the second X-ray laser facility at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, building on the success of the first hard X-ray laser. The new facility will provide improved control over the X-ray beam and enable multiple research groups to work simultaneously.

A little less force: Making atomic force microscopy work for cells

Researchers have created nanoscale cantilevers that can image individual proteins as they function on cell surfaces without causing damage. The new detection mechanism enables high-resolution imaging in a liquid environment, paving the way for studying biological systems and complex nanostructures.

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.

Lost light from the moon may be sent astray by dusty reflectors

Researchers investigating lunar reflector performance report decreased signal strength during full moon, suggesting dust may be a culprit. The issue arises from uneven heating of glass cubes left behind by Apollo astronauts, which distorts the shape of reflected laser pulses.

Bomb scares: An ODD solution

The Optical Dynamic Detection (ODD) solution uses precise laser pulses to detect explosive materials, providing greater accuracy than spectroscopy-based methods. By amplifying return signals and reducing background noise, ODD helps identify threats more effectively.

Combing a qubit

Physicists at the University of Maryland have developed a novel approach to manipulate quantum bits using an optical frequency comb. The technique allows for the creation of coherent pairs of frequencies, reducing the need for physically adjusting components and increasing the versatility of qubit manipulation.

Engineers turn noise into vision

Princeton engineers developed a technique to clarify images using rays of light scattered by clouds, human tissue, or murky water. The method, known as stochastic resonance, can potentially improve signal technologies such as sonograms, radar systems, and night vision goggles.

From a classical laser to a 'quantum laser'

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck successfully created a single-atom laser, demonstrating both classical and quantum mechanical properties. The experiment showed that by tuning the coupling between the atom and cavity mode, stimulated emission could be achieved despite the atom's weak amplification ability.

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.

A predilection for certain symmetries

Materials with 7-fold rotation symmetry have not yet been observed in nature, but researchers have discovered the reason why. The density of flower-shaped nuclei plays a crucial role in determining the rotation symmetry of colloidal particles, explaining why materials with certain symmetries are rare in nature.

Light controls matter, matter controls X-rays

Researchers successfully controlled x-ray pulses using laser light, enabling new possibilities for quantum information storage and processing. This breakthrough has the potential to shape x-ray pulses on a femtosecond time scale.

Laser security for the Internet

Dr. Jacob Scheuer's new invention transmits binary lock-and-key information in light pulses, ensuring secure communication without eavesdropping. The system uses a special laser to send different signals that can be distinguished by the sender and receiver but appear identical to an attacker.

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.

New device for ultrafast optical communications

The device can measure a high capacity waveform up to 10,000 times faster than existing technologies, overcoming limitations of amplitude and phase measurement. This enables the packing of more information into optical signals, paving the way for ultra-high-speed communications and LiDAR systems.

NPL makes light work of home grooming

Home-use IPL systems emit lower fluence rates and have physical safety features to minimize optical hazard. NPL's research confirms their safety, building on earlier work on dosimetry needs for salon-based devices.

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.

Quantum leap for phonon lasers

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in developing practical phonon lasers, which could enable new medical imaging devices and precision measurement tools. Two separate teams, one in the US and the UK, have reported advancements in phonon laser development, using different approaches to overcome technical challenges.

Using gold nanoparticles to hit cancer where it hurts

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a system using gold nanoparticles that can kill cancer cells by targeting their nuclei, preventing cell division and inducing apoptosis. This breakthrough offers a promising treatment for cancers in areas inaccessible to traditional laser-based therapies.

Physicists play Lego with photons

Researchers at the University of Calgary have successfully stacked up to two photons on top of one another using quantum entanglement, enabling the creation of various quantum states of light. This achievement brings physicists closer to developing new capabilities in measurement instruments, computers, and secure communication systems.

MIT researchers build first germanium laser

Researchers at MIT have successfully built a germanium laser that can emit wavelengths useful for optical communications. This breakthrough paves the way for the development of light-based computers that could process data more efficiently than current electrical systems.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How 'random' lasers work

Researchers at the University of Utah have found that natural cavities in polymers can act like mirrors in light-emitting materials, generating 'random' lasers. This discovery could lead to new applications in cancer diagnosis and other fields.

Tying light in knots

A team of physicists from Bristol, Glasgow and Southampton universities have successfully created knots in optical vortices using holograms designed with knot theory. This new research demonstrates the physical application of an abstract branch of mathematics previously considered impossible to apply.

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.

New quantum cascade lasers emit more light than heat

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed compact mid-infrared laser diodes that generate more light than heat, achieving efficiencies of 53 percent. This breakthrough paves the way for applications such as remote sensing and hazardous chemical detection.

MIT neuroengineers silence brain cells with multiple colors of light

Neuroscientists at MIT have developed a powerful new class of tools that can reversibly shut down brain activity using different colors of light. These 'super silencers' exert exquisite control over the timing of shutdown, allowing researchers to study neural circuits and potentially treat disorders such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and ...

Tiny whispering gallery

Researchers at Washington University have developed a sensor that can detect and measure single nanoparticles using an ultra-high-Q microresonator. The sensor exploits the phenomenon of whispering-gallery mode resonance, where the light wave interacts with the particle on the ring's surface.

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.

Scientists demonstrate multibeam, multi-functional lasers

Researchers from Harvard University and their international team have developed compact, multibeam lasers that can emit multiple wavelengths in the infrared spectrum. This adaptable technology has potential use in applications such as remote chemical sensing, optical wireless, and interferometry.

A quantum leap forward?

Physicist Jeff Barrett and colleagues are analyzing old notes by Hugh Everett III to understand how to measure physical objects in quantum mechanics. The effort aims to resolve the quantum measurement problem, a long-standing puzzle in physics.

Vibrations key to efficiency of green fluorescent protein

University of California, Berkeley chemists use ultrafast laser pulses to study green fluorescent protein's structural changes during fluorescence. The study reveals the importance of vibrational oscillations in proton transfer reactions, shedding light on how GFP captures and emits light.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Near vision research study

A research study is being conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of an investigational corneal inlay in reducing the need for reading glasses. The inlay, called AcuFocus Corneal Inlay (ACI), is intended to improve near vision in patients with presbyopia, a natural loss of near vision that occurs after age 45.