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.
The team's innovation uses acoustic waves to enable faster tuning of components, resulting in higher-resolution lidar detection. The technology integrates microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducers made of aluminum nitride to modulate the microcomb at high frequencies.
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.
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.
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Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a perception system that considers visibility to improve object detection in self-driving cars. The method outperformed previous techniques, with improvements of up to 18.4% for buses and 16.7% for trailers.
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.
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.
The new LiDAR receiver technology boasts long-wavelength sensitivity and ultra-low noise, promising improved performance and eye safety. The invention enables higher-power operation within the 2-micrometer window, considered eye-safe for night-vision imaging applications.
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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.
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.
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.
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A team of Stanford engineers has created a new lidar technology using a single silicon chip, reducing costs from $8,000 to $30,000. The breakthrough enables the mass production of affordable lidars, a crucial component for autonomous cars.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
The University of Wyoming has received a $15.8 million NSF grant to modify and certify its new King Air research aircraft, as well as develop new instrumentation for atmospheric remote sensing. The grant will enable the aircraft to support high-end research in areas such as air quality, wildfires, and severe storms.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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Researchers at UC used LIDAR technology to discover ancient farm fields in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, indicating surplus crop production. The discovery supports the idea of a complex market economy among the ancient Maya civilization.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
NCALM has made significant contributions to the field of Earth science, using lidar technology to map terrain and create detailed topographical maps. The center's work has also had practical significance, including assessing earthquake and landslide risks.
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.
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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.
Archaeologists used a new image-based analysis technique to identify previously hidden mounds in Beaufort County, SC. This method uses LiDAR and Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) to detect features of interest, improving knowledge of settlement patterns and past landscapes.
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.
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.
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Montana State University's lidar technology can identify clusters of lake trout to a depth of 26 feet, allowing for more efficient removal. This tool could save time and money by detecting fish in shallow water, potentially reversing the decline of native cutthroat trout.
Researchers use LiDAR to locate invasive lake trout and identify spawning areas, offering a faster and more efficient way to manage the lake's ecosystem. The low-cost instrument can cover large areas of the lake, reducing labor costs and environmental impact.
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.
A team of archaeologists uses LiDAR technology to map a significantly larger area of Ceibal in Guatemala, uncovering over 15,000 ancient Maya architectural remains. The resulting map covers 470 square kilometers and provides a detailed timeline of growth and change at the site.
The Kodiak system has been officially baselined for NASA's Restore-L project, demonstrating an autonomous satellite-servicing capability. The system will provide real-time images and distance-ranging information to extend a satellite's lifespan.
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NASA is developing a planetary wind lidar called MARLI, which will provide detailed information on winds on Mars and Titan. The instrument will use laser pulses and detect returning backscatter signals to measure wind velocities and aerosol distribution.
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.
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.
Researchers developed a Doppler LIDAR instrument for accurate remote wind measurements, offering high spatial and temporal resolutions. The system's simplified design enhances stability and reduces costs, making it suitable for real-time applications such as hurricane forecasting and aircraft safety.
A second Autonomous Terrestrial Laser Scanning system will be installed on Greenland's Helheim Glacier to monitor ice loss rates and improve sea level rise predictions. The new data will help understand glacier dynamics and variability, enabling better estimates of future sea level rise.
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Researchers create high-resolution maps of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, showing rapid erosion and glacier thinning due to climate change. The study provides insights into the region's vulnerability to future warming and its potential impact on global sea levels.
Researchers have released high-resolution maps of Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys, allowing scientists to compare present-day conditions with lower-resolution surveys conducted 13 years ago. The data provide detailed topography and insights into landscape changes, including rapid erosion along streams.
NASA's Satellite Servicing Projects Division tested three rendezvous and proximity operations sensors in a simulated environment. The testing confirmed improved performance for light intensity and range measurements, and will help build flight cameras and Lidar systems for satellite servicing.
Researchers from the Naval Research Laboratory have created a new LiDAR system that can survey obscured ground using gated digital holography methods. This technology allows for 3D topography surveys through foliage or other obstacles, with potential applications in disaster relief and self-driving cars.
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Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing a space-based sodium lidar to study the complex relationship between the chemistry and dynamics of the mesosphere, which lies 40-100 miles above Earth's surface. The instrument aims to provide higher-resolution data on small-scale dynamics in the upper atmosphere.
Researchers uncover sophisticated irrigation and water-management techniques used by ancient Puebloans in the American Southwest, including the use of corn as a water-intensive crop. The team's findings shed light on how past societies managed their environment and survive in dry deserts, informing modern sustainability strategies.
Matthew McGill, a NASA Goddard researcher, has made significant contributions to understanding climate change impacts through the application of lidar technology. His work on the Cloud Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument has been successfully operating on the International Space Station for two years.
A space-based sensor has provided a continuous look at phytoplankton boom-bust cycles, revealing they are more tied to the push-pull relationship between predators and prey. The study suggests blooms start when growth rates are slow, not when rates reach a threshold rate.
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A new instrument prototype, BILI, uses fluorescence-based lidar to search for organic bio-signatures on Mars and other targets in the solar system. The instrument can scan terrain from a distance of several hundred meters, detecting small levels of complex organic materials in real-time.
A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland developed methods to obtain indicators for tree size inequality using lidar technology. The researchers created maps of several study areas in Finland and Spain, identifying various structural properties of forests and evaluating different types of forest management regimes. These f...
A new NASA study finds that the carbon content of temperate US forests is likely overestimated by 70%, due to a sampling bias in measuring tree height and biomass. Researchers used lidar technology to analyze millions of trees, providing more accurate estimates of forest carbon storage.