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3D holographic head-up display could improve road safety

Researchers developed a 3D holographic head-up display using LiDAR data to create ultra-high-definition holographic representations of road objects, alerting drivers to potential hazards without distraction. The technology has shown promising results in early tests, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to existing safety measures.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 25, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Airborne laser scanning of gaps in Amazon rainforest helps explain tree mortality

A study using airborne laser scanning found that water stress, soil fertility, and anthropic forest degradation contribute to tree mortality in the Amazon. The researchers mapped gaps in the forest using LiDAR data, which showed a significant correlation with field mortality patterns.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 13, 2021

See further: Scientists achieve single-photon imaging over 200km

Researchers developed a new noise-suppression technique that reduces noise photon counts by at least 50 times, enabling accurate 3D imaging up to 201.5 km with single-photon sensitivity. The technique is achieved through optimized transceiver optics and coating the telescope for high transmission.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalOptica·DateApr 5, 2021
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.

Loss of soil in US Corn Belt

The US Corn Belt has lost around 35% of its organic-rich A-horizon soil through agricultural erosion, leading to a 6% decline in crop yields and $2.8 billion annual economic losses.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2021

CAREER awardee investigates quantum's 'sweet spot'

Boulat Bash demonstrates how quantum methods can substantially increase reliable information sending over covert channels. By applying quantum resources to sensing, he identifies the 'sweet spot' where high noise and low power levels are beneficial for covert operations.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateJan 20, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Could your vacuum be listening to you?

A team of researchers demonstrated that popular robotic household vacuum cleaners can be remotely hacked to record speech and music. They used signal processing and deep learning techniques to recover sound waves from the laser-based navigation system, revealing potential security risks and privacy breaches.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateNov 17, 2020

New method lets scientists peer deeper into ocean

Researchers have developed a new method to detect algae and measure key properties in the ocean's depths using laser-based lidar. The technique allows for measurements up to three times deeper than satellites, shedding light on ocean biology and its role in climate.

SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalApplied Optics·DateJul 30, 2020

Leap in lidar could improve safety, security of new technology

Researchers developed a new silicon chip with no moving parts that improves lidar system resolution and scanning speed, enabling applications in self-driving cars and smartphones. The breakthrough could lead to cheaper, smaller, and more complex lidar systems.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalOptica·DateJul 6, 2020
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 automotive radar spots hazards around corners

Researchers at Princeton University developed an automated system using Doppler radar to spot oncoming traffic and pedestrians around corners. The system allows cars to see objects out of line of sight, improving automotive safety.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·DateJun 25, 2020

Scientists present new method for remote sensing of atmospheric dynamics

Physicists at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have developed a new method for wind speed remote measurements. The instrument measures infrared atmospheric absorption spectrum with ultra-high spectral resolution, enabling retrieval of wind speeds with accuracy of 3-5 meters per second.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalAtmospheric Measurement Techniques·DateJun 10, 2020

Largest, oldest Maya monument suggests importance of communal work

The newly discovered Aguada Fénix site in Mexico's Tabasco state is the largest and oldest known Mayan monument, constructed between 1,000 to 800 B.C. The site suggests that the Maya civilization developed more rapidly than previously thought and had less social inequality than later periods.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·DateJun 3, 2020
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.

Lidar technology demonstrates how light levels determine mosquito 'rush hour'

A recent study using lidar technology reveals that mosquitoes are most active during morning and evening hours in Tanzania, with males being 87 times more active than usual. This finding suggests that light levels affect mosquito behavior, creating opportunities for developing light-based measures to prevent malaria.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 13, 2020

Speeding up long-range coherent LiDAR

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new way to implement parallel FMCW LiDAR by using integrated nonlinear photonic circuitry. The technology enables up to 30 independent FMCW LiDAR channels, improving acquisition rates tenfold for autonomous vehicle applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateMay 13, 2020
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.

Identifying light sources using artificial intelligence

Researchers developed a smart quantum technology that reduces light source identification measurements from millions to under hundred using AI. This enables quicker and less damaging light exposure in applications like microscopy and cryptography.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateMay 5, 2020

Want to catch a photon? Start by silencing the sun

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a 3D imaging system that uses light's quantum properties to create images 40,000 times crisper than current technologies. The system, which employs Quantum Parametric Mode Sorting (QPMS), reduces single-photon noise by exponentially cleaning up noisy images.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 24, 2020

Modern technology reveals old secrets about the great, white Maya road

Researchers used lidar technology to study the ancient Maya road, revealing over 8,000 tree-shrouded structures along its 100-kilometer length. The road connected two cities, Cobá and Yaxuná, and was built to incorporate preexisting settlements, suggesting a geo-political motivation.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateFeb 24, 2020

Slow light to speed up LiDAR sensors development

Researchers from Yokohama National University have developed a new method using slow light to create a compact and non-mechanical LiDAR sensor. This technology has the potential to improve the performance of LiDAR sensors in various fields, including autonomous vehicles, robots, and drones.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalOptica·DateJan 14, 2020
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.

Versatile in use -- FBH semiconductor light sources

The Ferdinand-Braun-Institut presents its developments in diode lasers and UV LEDs, including high-power stacks for industrial laser technology and a compact dual-wavelength system for SERDS spectroscopy. The institute also exhibits a terahertz camera sensor with high sensitivity and fast response time.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·DateJan 7, 2020

The Arctic atmosphere -- A gathering place for dust?

A multi-wavelength lidar provides data on fine dust in the central Arctic during polar night, revealing several layers of dust from human sources and forest fires. The data indicate that the upper atmosphere is more polluted in winter than previously assumed.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·DateDec 9, 2019

Bead-making complex off the Florida coast

Researchers uncover ancient bead-making settlement on Raleigh Island, featuring high-production facilities for lightning whelk shells. The site predates the Mississippian era chiefdoms and offers insights into pre-Columbian economies.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2019

Teaching cars to drive with foresight

Scientists at the University of Bonn develop an algorithm that completes and interprets LiDAR scans to enable self-driving cars to anticipate potential hazards. The system uses a dataset of superimposed point clouds to improve scene understanding, which can lead to significant improvements in autonomous driving safety.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·DateOct 28, 2019
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.

Can machine learning reveal geology humans can't see?

Researchers used machine learning to identify previously unidentified cave entrances in a densely vegetated area of Belize. The computer program successfully picked up smaller caves that were invisible to the naked eye, and confirmed the existence of several large surprise finds, including a collapsed cave complex.

SourceGeological Society of America·DateSep 21, 2019

21st century archaeology has rediscovered historical Cordoba

Researchers used LiDAR data to digitally recreate the geomorphology of Cordoba before it was built over. The images show how both Iberian and Roman cities took advantage of the land's shape to build their settlements. This new information sheds light on the historical city's development.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalGeosciences·DateJun 11, 2019
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 lidar instruments peer skyward for clues on weather and climate

Researchers have developed diode-based lidar instruments that can measure atmospheric water vapor, aerosols and temperature, filling gaps in US meteorological data. The instruments are operational and have provided accurate measurements with minimal error, paving the way for improved weather forecasting and climate modeling.

SourceOptica·DateMay 21, 2019

New research identifies patterns of tree distribution in African savannas

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that tree distributions in African savannas follow distinct patterns, regardless of environmental factors. The research used LiDAR data to identify power law distributions that capture significant statistical correlations at large scales.

SourceArizona State University, Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2019

New way to 'see' objects accelerates the future of self-driving cars

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a cost-effective and accurate way for self-driving cars to perceive 3D objects, reducing the reliance on expensive LiDAR sensors. The new method uses two inexpensive cameras on either side of the windshield to detect objects with nearly LiDAR's accuracy.

SourceCornell University·DateApr 23, 2019
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.

Scientists build the smallest optical frequency comb to-date

Researchers developed the smallest optical frequency comb source, achieving integrated soliton microcomb with ultra-low losses and fast optical feedback. The compact device operates at 88 GHz repetition rate and offers potential for mass-manufacturable applications in LIDAR and data-centers.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2019

New progress toward chip-based ghost imaging

A new, low-cost chip-based light-illuminating device enables fast and practical ghost imaging for applications like biomedical imaging and LIDAR. The device uses a compact optical phased array to generate random speckle patterns, allowing for higher sensitivity and faster imaging than traditional methods.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 4, 2019
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.

Innovative GEDI instrument now gathering forest data

GEDI, a NASA instrument, is collecting data on forests using its waveform-based measurement technique to analyze the shape of returned light signals. This allows scientists to obtain three-dimensional structure information, useful for mapping wildlife habitats and biodiversity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 1, 2019

Cloud or no cloud, that is the question

Researchers at PNNL developed a deep learning model that surpasses current cloud detection algorithms by nearly doubling precision and reducing processing time. The model's performance is promising for global forecasting applications.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateDec 12, 2018

USC scientists find a way to enhance the performance of quantum computers

Researchers at USC have successfully implemented a method called dynamical decoupling to suppress erroneous calculations and increase the fidelity of results in quantum computers. The technique, which uses staccato bursts of energy pulses to offset ambient disturbances, improved final fidelity by threefold in IBM's 16-qubit QX5 computer.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 29, 2018

Fleets of drones could aid searches for lost hikers

Researchers develop autonomous drone system that collaboratively maps terrain under dense forest canopies without GPS, enabling more efficient searches for lost hikers. The system uses LIDAR and path-planning software to fuse individual drone maps into a global 3D map, facilitating human rescuers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateNov 2, 2018
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.

Lidar survey 'compels' revaluation of aspects of ancient Maya society

A lidar survey of over 2,000 square kilometers in northern Guatemala has revalued aspects of ancient Maya society, estimating that up to 11 million people lived in the region during the Late Classic Period. The study also found extensive agricultural modification and networks of roadways connecting distant cities.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 27, 2018

UMBC teams up with Chesapeake Conservancy to create detailed stream maps

The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) has partnered with the Chesapeake Conservancy to develop a more accurate map of the region's waterways using novel techniques. This project aims to prioritize restoration efforts and enhance enforcement of environmental laws in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·DateAug 21, 2018

New clues to origins of mysterious atmospheric waves in Antarctica

Researchers have uncovered tantalizing clues to the origins of persistent gravity waves in Antarctica, suggesting two possible sources: lower-level waves breaking and re-exciting new waves, or polar vortex winds. Studying these waves is crucial for improving climate and weather models.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateJul 25, 2018
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.

UK urban forest can store as much carbon as tropical rainforests

Researchers used LiDAR technology to map carbon storage in urban forests, finding areas like Hampstead Heath store up to 178 tonnes of carbon per hectare. This study highlights the value of urban trees for mitigating climate change and demonstrates their potential as a vital resource for cities.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCarbon Balance and Management·DateJun 25, 2018

360 degrees, 180 seconds: Technique speeds analysis of crop traits

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a 360-degree LiDAR technique to automatically collect millions of 3-D coordinates about plant traits. This approach improves accuracy and speed in collecting phenotypic data, which is essential for breeding crops that produce more food.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalSensors·DateJun 18, 2018

Optical distance measurement at record-high speed

Researchers at KIT and EPFL developed a new type of chip-scale light source generating optical frequency combs in silicon nitride microresonators. This enables highly precise distance measurement at speeds of up to 100 million measurements per second, paving the way for real-time 3D cameras and compact LIDAR systems.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalScience·DateFeb 26, 2018
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.

Study confirms large earthquakes along Olympic Mountain faults

A comprehensive study of faults in the Olympic Mountains reveals three to five large earthquakes occurred within the last 13,000 years. The two most recent earthquakes are estimated to be magnitude 7 and 6-7 respectively, posing a significant threat to Seattle and other population centers.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateSep 27, 2017
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.

Escaping wildfires

Researchers developed a mapping tool to help fire crews make crucial safety decisions with an eagle's eye view. The study used LiDAR technology to analyze terrain slope, ground surface roughness and vegetation density, revealing the impact on travel rates and escape route efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalInternational Journal of Wildland Fire·DateSep 25, 2017
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.