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.
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
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
Researchers from WMG, University of Warwick found that LiDAR sensors' effectiveness decreases in heavy rain, hindering object detection. The study simulated real-world roads and weather using the WMG 3xD simulator to test LiDAR sensor performance.
SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalIEEE Sensors Journal·DateFeb 25, 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.
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
Researchers have developed a compact and high-performance 3D LiDAR imaging system using a silicon photonic component and CMOS electronic circuit in a single microchip. The prototype achieves accurate imaging and mapping, essential for autonomous cars, robots, drones, and healthcare applications.
SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature·DateFeb 10, 2021
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
A Rochester Institute of Technology imaging scientist has received $194,000 in NGA grants and $197,000 from NASA to develop a new waveform LiDAR method that can create clearer 3D sub-canopy maps of forests. This technology will aid in identifying potential threats and understanding forest physiology.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A new radar system developed by UC San Diego engineers can accurately predict object shapes and sizes in various weather conditions. The two-sensor setup improves imaging quality compared to traditional single-radar systems.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalAtmospheric Measurement Techniques·DateJun 10, 2020
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.
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.
SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 27, 2020
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
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.
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
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.
SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 15, 2020
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
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
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.
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.
SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·DateDec 9, 2019
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SourceArizona State University, Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2019
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.
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.
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.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2019
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.
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.
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.
SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateDec 12, 2018
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
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.
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
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.
SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·DateAug 21, 2018
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.
SourceBinghamton University·JournalSoutheastern Archaeology·DateJul 23, 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.
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
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
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.
SourceMontana State University·JournalApplied Optics·DateMay 21, 2018
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.
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.
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.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 21, 2018
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.