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Coming soon to cellphones, drones and eyeglasses: lenses as thin as 1/1000 of a hair

Researchers at Hebrew University have developed a standardized method to compare flat lens technologies, enabling the creation of ultra-thin lenses that are cheap, lightweight and efficient. This breakthrough has significant implications for various industries, including consumer electronics and VR headsets.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Photonics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 5, 2022

Don’t underestimate undulating graphene

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new type of electronics using undulating graphene, which creates mini channels that produce detectable magnetic fields. This technology has the potential to facilitate nanoscale optical devices and valleytronics applications, such as converging lenses and collimators.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 23, 2022

Novel X-ray lens facilitates glimpse into the nanoworld

A team of PSI scientists has developed an achromatic X-ray lens for the first time, allowing researchers to study nanostructures with high resolution. The innovative lens, which combines two optical principles, enables compact X-ray microscopes that can be operated on industry premises.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Smart LED contact lenses for treating diabetic retinopathy

Researchers developed smart contact lenses that emit far-red light to treat diabetic retinopathy. The study showed the lenses prevented retinopathy in diabetic animal models, demonstrating their safety and effectiveness.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Science·DateMar 7, 2022

Tiny antenna enables portable biomedical, food-analysis, and other gadgets driven by integrated nano- and terahertz technologies

Researchers have designed a tiny and flat antenna for receiving and transmitting terahertz signals, enabling the miniaturization of THz devices. The new design integrates the antenna with the system, eliminating the need for bulky silicon lenses and reducing optical power required.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 9, 2022
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.

Need for larger space telescope inspires lightweight flexible holographic lens

Researchers developed a holographic lens that can focus light onto a single point or disperse it into its constituent colors, producing a spectrum of pure colors. The new method uses two sources of light to create a super spectral resolution optical element for detecting exoplanets with high resolution.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 22, 2021
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.

Bridging optics and electronics

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a simple spatial light modulator made from gold electrodes covered by a thin film of electro-optical material. This device can control light intensity and pixel by pixel, enabling compact, high-speed, and precise optical devices.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 14, 2021

Primordial ‘hyper-eye’ discovered

A team of researchers has found a 390-million-year-old hyper-facet eye system in trilobites that is unique to the animal kingdom. The discovery suggests that this ancient eye may have been an adaptation for life in low light conditions, and could provide insights into the evolution of visual systems.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2021

High-resolution microscope built from LEGO and bits of phone

A team of researchers built a high-resolution microscope using LEGO bricks and mobile phone parts, showing significant improvement in children's knowledge of microscopy. The study demonstrated that constructing the microscope themselves increased children's understanding of optical characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalThe Biophysicist·DateJun 23, 2021

Novel liquid crystal metalens offers electric zoom

Researchers from Cornell University and Samsung create a first-of-its-kind metalens that can focus light using voltage instead of mechanically moving its components. The innovation allows for an ultrathin, electrically tunable lens with continuous zoom capabilities.

SourceCornell University·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 10, 2021
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 research shows: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek led rivals astray

Researchers from Rijksmuseum Boerhaave Leiden and TU Delft used neutron tomography to examine a highly magnifying specimen without damaging it. The findings reveal that Van Leeuwenhoek's lenses were made using a common production method, contradicting long-held assumptions about his 'secret' technique.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 14, 2021

Color blindness-correcting contact lenses

Researchers developed infusing contact lenses with gold nanoparticles to create a safer way to see colors for people with color blindness. The gold nanocomposite lenses improved red-green color perception in clinical trials without leaching dye, offering a potential solution for those struggling with the condition.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 3, 2021

Cloudy eyes caused by protein imbalance

A team of researchers found that protein imbalance leads to cataract formation by causing proteins to clump together and become cloudy. The study provides new insights into the causes of this common eye ailment, which may lead to the development of new treatment methods.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateFeb 16, 2021

Science snapshots from Berkeley Lab

A mouse study suggests that the genetic contribution to anxiety is partially mediated by the gut microbiome. Researchers used 3D X-ray imaging to gain new insights into the reproductive biology of tsetse flies, which carry a deadly parasite that causes African sleeping sickness.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 2, 2021
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.

Eyes reveal life history of fish

Scientists have created a technique using stable isotopic analysis of eye lenses to reveal a fish's life history and diet. The study found that fish on floodplains grew faster and had different dietary signatures than those in rivers or hatcheries, providing valuable insights for managing habitats and conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateJan 28, 2021

Focusing on field analysis

Researchers developed a low-cost, portable microscopy system using transparent microspheres and affordable objective lenses to detect pathogens in water sources. The assembly can be customized for various applications, including on-site antibiotic testing.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateJan 27, 2021

A metalens for virtual and augmented reality

A team of researchers at Harvard University has developed a two-millimeter achromatic metalens that can focus RGB colors without aberrations, opening a path to new virtual reality platforms. The lens uses nanostructures to focus light and is the largest RGB-achromatic metalens to date.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 27, 2021

Doubling the number of known gravitational lenses

The discovery uses a deep residual neural net trained on real data to uncover warped and stretched images of distant galaxies. The new lenses provide astronomers with targets to measure fundamental properties of the Universe, including the Hubble constant.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·DateJan 13, 2021

Convex to concave: More metasurface moiré results in wide-range lens

Researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed rotational varifocal moiré metalens that can tune focal length along a wider range than previously seen. This breakthrough could lead to ultra-compact imaging systems for future smartphones, virtual reality goggles, drones, or microbots.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 4, 2021
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.

Stay focused: Algae-inspired polymers light the way for enhanced night vision

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba developed an infrared-transmitting polymer that retains its shape after stretching and can be used to fabricate lenses with variable-focus properties. The polymer is based on low-cost, sustainable materials and was found to transmit 10% of incoming infrared light.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials·DateOct 27, 2020

Engineers produce a fisheye lens that's completely flat

The researchers designed a single flat piece of glass with microscopic structures to manipulate light and produce crisp, 180-degree panoramic images. The new design enables ultra-wide-angle lenses to be integrated into smartphones, laptops, and medical imaging devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 18, 2020

A new lens on the world: Improving the metalens with liquid crystal

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new class of metalenses that can be reconfigured using liquid crystals, allowing for the creation of flexible and tunable lenses. This innovation holds promise for revolutionizing optics and enabling new scientific and technological endeavors.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 20, 2020

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide lens for high resolution imaging

Researchers develop innovative method to fabricate high performance lenses in monolayer two dimensional transitional metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) material using femtosecond laser. The lens provides subwavelength resolution and high efficiency, enabling diffraction-limited imaging.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateAug 13, 2020
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.

Multifocal contact lenses slow myopia progression in children

A clinical trial funded by the National Eye Institute found that multifocal contact lenses reduce worsening nearsightedness and slow eye growth in children. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, shows promising results for a new option in myopia control.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalJAMA·DateAug 11, 2020

Spider silk can create lenses useful for biological imaging

Researchers have created biocompatible lenses using spider silk, enabling large-area imaging of biological areas with high resolution. The lenses use dragline silk's unique properties to generate a photonic nanojet, suitable for biomedical applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 30, 2020

Researchers create focus-free camera with new flat lens

The new flat lens design allows for a depth of focus several orders of magnitude larger than that of an equivalent conventional lens, enabling simultaneous focus on objects at varying distances. This breakthrough has significant implications for camera applications, including smartphones, biomedical imaging, and automobile cameras.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateMar 12, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The IKBFU scientists created the first diamond x-ray micro lens

The IKBFU scientists have developed a new method for producing diamond x-ray micro lenses, which can withstand high temperatures and radiation loads. The lenses are made using an electron-ion microscope and have exceeded expectations, enabling the study of nanostructures and protein crystals with greater detail.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalOptics Express·DateMar 3, 2020

Biomimetic optics: Effective substitute for eyes

Researchers at the University of Tyumen developed biomimetic optics that mimic human eye functions, offering excellent adaptation to changing conditions and miniature sizes. The new optics has advantages over traditional technologies, enabling wider range of functional characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Tyumen·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateFeb 6, 2020

Metalens grows up

Scientists at Harvard University created an all-glass, centimeter-scale metalens with nanostructures that can focus light, revolutionizing applications like microscopy, cameras, and sensors. The breakthrough enables mass production of large metalenses using conventional chip fabrication methods.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNano Letters·DateDec 3, 2019
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Using computational chemistry to produce cheaper infrared plastic lenses

Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new material that can be used to produce cheaper infrared plastic lenses. The lenses, made from a sulfur-based polymer, are stronger and more temperature-resistant than previous versions and can be produced at lower temperatures, making them more affordable.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateOct 29, 2019

Thin to win

University of Utah engineers create a new type of optical lens that is thinner and lighter than conventional lenses, working with night imaging and enabling longer-flying drones and military applications. The lens is made of plastic instead of glass, reducing manufacturing costs.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 8, 2019
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.

Mosquito eye inspires artificial compound lens (video)

Compound lenses developed by researchers are inspired by mosquito eyes, providing a wide field of view with rapid imaging capabilities. The new design has antifogging properties, similar to those found in mosquito eyes, making it suitable for applications in drones, robots and medical devices.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 25, 2019

The composition of fossil insect eyes surprises researchers

Researchers have discovered eumelanin in fossilized crane-fly compound eyes, challenging previous hypotheses about arthropod vision. The study's findings suggest that trilobite lenses may be more similar to modern arthropod eyes than previously thought.

SourceLund University·JournalNature·DateAug 15, 2019
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.

A new lens for life-searching space telescopes

University of Arizona researchers have developed a new lens technology that can collect more light and search for signs of life on 1,000 exoplanets. The Nautilus telescope array will be powerful enough to characterize planets from 1,000 light years away, providing valuable insights into the complexity of exo-earths.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateAug 2, 2019

System to image the human eye corrects for chromatic aberrations

A new imaging system cancels chromatic optical aberrations in individual eyes, allowing for precise assessment of vision and eye health. The technology provides the first objective measurement of longitudinal chromatic aberrations (LCA), which could lead to insights into visual halos, glare, and color perception.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateAug 1, 2019

Shaping light with a smartlens

A team of researchers from ICFO demonstrates an adjustable technique to manipulate light without mechanical movement, enabling the creation of dynamically tuneable lenses with high control and low power consumption. The Smartlens technology has potential applications in high-end systems and simple end-user-oriented imaging devices.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 26, 2019

Smart glasses follow our eyes, focus automatically

A new prototype by Stanford University tackles presbyopia by using eye-tracking sensors and fluid-filled lenses that adapt to changing focus needs. The technology has shown promising results in tests with 56 people, outperforming traditional progressive lenses.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 28, 2019
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.

Focusing sunlight to enhance desalination

Focusing sunlight onto a photothermally active membrane using lenses increases distilled water flux through the membrane by more than 50%. This breakthrough demonstrates the utility of exploiting focused sunlight in thermally and optically driven processes.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 17, 2019

Water management helped by mathematical model of fresh water lenses

A mathematical model of fresh water lenses was developed to understand the interaction between physical factors and water storage, circulation, and resilience. The research has practical applications in managing water resources around the world, particularly in arid deserts.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateJun 3, 2019
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.

Researchers develop new lens manufacturing technique

Scientists at Washington State University and Ohio State University have developed a novel method for creating custom lenses using magnetic liquid droplets. This breakthrough process eliminates the need for expensive metal molds, enabling mass production of high-quality lenses in various shapes and sizes.

SourceWashington State University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 20, 2019
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.

Virtual lens improves X-ray microscopy

Researchers at PSI develop a new method that uses a small but efficient lens to create high-resolution images of X-ray microscopes, providing absorption and phase contrast information. This technique has the potential to reveal material properties and improve image quality for biological samples.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 1, 2019

Atomic jet -- the first lens for extreme-ultraviolet light developed

Scientists from the Max Born Institute have created the first refractive lens that focuses extreme ultraviolet beams, utilizing a jet of atoms instead of traditional glass. This innovation enables novel approaches to image biological samples on extremely short timescales, with potential applications in microscopy and structural analysis.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature·DateNov 28, 2018

Meta-surface corrects for chromatic aberrations across all kinds of lenses

A new meta-surface technology has been developed to correct for chromatic aberrations across all kinds of lenses, from simple to complex. This innovation uses a single-layer surface of nanostructures and can be incorporated into commercial optical systems, improving performance while reducing complexity.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 20, 2018

A new lens for microscopy has been developed

Physicists at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University developed a mini transfocator, a variable focus lens for compact and mobile optical systems. The new design offers submicron resolution and is ideal for studying biological samples under extreme conditions.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalMicroscopy and Microanalysis·DateNov 8, 2018

Revolutionary ultra-thin 'meta-lens' enables full-color imaging

Researchers at Columbia University have created the first flat lens capable of focusing a range of colors and polarizations to the same focal spot. The ultra-thin 'meta-lens' offers performance comparable to conventional lenses but with significantly reduced size and weight.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateOct 3, 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.