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From beam to battery: HKUST’s single-step laser printing supercharges high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Researchers developed a novel single-step laser printing technique to manufacture integrated sulfur cathodes, resulting in high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries. The process reduces time and complexity compared to traditional methods, enabling faster and more efficient production.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025

Tying light from lasers into stable “optical knots”

Engineers at Duke University have demonstrated a method to create stable optical knots using laser beams, which could be used to transmit encoded information or measure turbulence in pockets of air. The team found that by adding more squiggles to the knot's features, they could make it stable for longer and resist degradation.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2025

Infrared heavy-metal-free quantum dots deliver sensitive and fast sensors for eye-safe LIDAR applications

Scientists have created a new method to create silver telluride colloidal quantum dots that overcome challenges of high dark current, limited linear dynamic range, and response speed. The team developed the first proof-of-concept SWIR LIDAR using these non-toxic materials, measuring distances over 10 meters with decimetre resolution.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 3, 2025

New machine learning framework enhances precision and efficiency in metal 3D printing, advancing sustainable manufacturing

Researchers at University of Toronto develop a new framework to optimize laser Directed Energy Deposition (AIDED) for higher quality and more reliable metal parts. The AIDED framework uses machine learning to predict optimal process parameters and enhance the accuracy and robustness of finished products.

Matter at the crossroads

Researchers at Weizmann Institute create innovative method to track rapid material changes using two laser beams, enabling precise reconstruction of optical delay changes. This advance could lead to the development of fastest processors possible, increasing data transmission speed.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 13, 2025

AI reveals new way to strengthen titanium alloys and speed up manufacturing

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have discovered a new way to strengthen titanium alloys using AI, enabling faster production and improved mechanical properties. The breakthrough has implications for industries such as shipbuilding, aviation, and medical devices.

SourceJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory·JournalAdditive Manufacturing·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2025

Cold atoms on a chip

UC Santa Barbara researchers develop photonic integrated 3D-MOT, a miniaturized version of equipment used to trap and cool atoms. This innovation enables new applications in sensing, precision timekeeping, and quantum computing, and paves the way for accessible quantum research projects.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalOptica Quantum·DateMar 4, 2025

New photon-avalanching nanoparticles could enable next-generation optical computers

Researchers developed new photon avalanching nanoparticles that exhibit high nonlinearities, overcoming challenges in realizing intrinsic optical bistability at the nanoscale. The breakthrough paves the way for fabricating optical memory and transistors on a nanometer scale comparable to current microelectronics.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2025

New laparoscopic imaging technique accurately maps biological tissue for minimally invasive surgery

A new laparoscopic imaging technique uses stereo depth estimation and speckle-illumination SFDI to accurately map the optical properties of biological tissue. The device provides detailed optical property maps, enabling surgeons to identify critical tumor margins and improve clinical outcomes.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateFeb 17, 2025

Diamonds are forever—But not in nanodevices

A team at JILA created a tabletop microscope that uses high-energy DUV laser light to create nanoscale interference patterns on a material's surface, allowing for detailed studies of electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties. This capability enables the study of materials like diamond with unprecedented spatial resolution.

SourceJILA·DateJan 23, 2025

Innovative 7-axis synchronization strategy for enhanced laser texturing of freeform surface

Researchers developed a 7-axis synchronization algorithm for freeform surface laser texturing, achieving high efficiency and accuracy without stitching errors. The approach improves processing efficiency by up to 559% and reduces errors by 60%, making it suitable for industrial applications.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJan 22, 2025

High-resolution tumor marker detection based on microwave photonics demodulated dual wavelength fiber laser sensing system assists early screening of cancer

A novel dual-wavelength fiber laser biosensor system leveraging microwave photonics demodulation technology enables high-resolution tumor marker detection. The system exhibits higher sensitivity, resolution, and real-time detection accuracy compared to traditional methods, with a detection limit of 0.076 ng/mL.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateJan 15, 2025

3D-printing advance mitigates three defects simultaneously for failure-free metal parts

Researchers at UW–Madison developed an approach to simultaneously mitigate three types of defects – pores, rough surfaces, and large spatters – in metal parts produced using laser powder bed fusion. This breakthrough enables the production of high-quality parts with increased manufacturing productivity.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalInternational Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2024

Ensuring flawless metal 3D printing: New research tackles high-fidelity, high-resolution process monitoring

Researchers have developed a machine learning-based approach to detect keyhole pores in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) metal 3D printing, achieving over 90% accuracy. The method uses simple light and sound sensors to monitor the printing process and accurately detect defects with a temporal resolution of 0.1 milliseconds.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2024

Solving computationally hard problems with 3D integrated photonics

Researchers have developed a reconfigurable three-dimensional integrated photonic processor specifically designed to tackle the subset sum problem, a classic NP-complete challenge. The processor operates by allowing photons in a light beam to explore all possible paths simultaneously, providing answers in parallel and demonstrating hig...

USC-Caltech team tests new noninvasive tool to predict stroke risk

A team of researchers from USC and Caltech developed a new noninvasive tool to measure brain blood pressure, assessing stroke risk through changes in blood flow and volume during a stress test. The affordable, portable device has the potential to transform stroke care by providing more reliable data than existing questionnaires.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2024

Combining AI and thermal video offers a new window into weightlifting

Researchers developed a method combining AI and thermal cameras to enhance weightlifting training, providing data-driven insights for targeted strategies. The approach enables real-time tracking of muscle activation, strain detection, and temperature changes, ultimately helping athletes optimize performance and safety.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateSep 30, 2024

ZJU researchers address oxidation issue of copper by laser writing towards in-situ integrated sensing

Researchers from Zhejiang University have developed a hybrid laser direct writing technique that enables the creation of functional copper interconnects and carbon-based sensors within a single integrated system. The process allows for real-time temperature monitoring over extended periods, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateSep 5, 2024

Save your data on printable magnetic devices? New laser technique’s twist might make this reality

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a new laser-induced forward transfer technique using optical vortex to print magnetic ferrite nanoparticles with high precision. The resulting crystals exhibit helix-like twisted structures that can be controlled by changing the optical vortex's helicity.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalAPL Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2024