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Smart algorithm cleans up images by searching for clues buried in noise

Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a deep-learning algorithm that can denoise images to reveal otherwise invisible details. The algorithm, called global voxel transformer networks (GVTNets), uses adaptive receptive fields to capture information in the overall image structure.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateJan 26, 2021

Optimal information about the invisible

Researchers from Utrecht University and TU Wien develop a method to calculate optimal light waves for precise measurement of invisible objects in complicated environments. This technology has potential applications in microbiology, computer chip production, and nanometer-scale imaging.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 25, 2021

Delivering sound to people where they want it for VR, AR

A team of researchers from the University of Sussex created a sound projector that can deliver spatial sound at a distance by forming a beam of audible sound. The system uses a portable speaker, metamaterial lenses, and tracking hardware to track users and send sound directly to them.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 8, 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.

Now you see it, now you don't: Hidden colors discovered by coincidence

Researchers have discovered a new way to observe color through the scattering process, which combines with optical interference to create bright colors. The findings, published in Advanced Optical Materials, could have practical applications in sensing technology and security devices.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateOct 14, 2020

Angling for underwater WiFi

Researchers have developed an underwater wireless system that supports internet services using visible light signals, allowing for faster and more reliable data transmission. The Aqua-Fi prototype demonstrated a maximum data transfer speed of 2.11 megabytes per second and an average delay of 1.00 millisecond.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Communications Magazine·DateJun 11, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The power of light for internet of underwater things

Researchers at KAUST are developing a system that can transmit both light and energy to underwater devices, enhancing sensing and communication in the ocean. This technology has potential applications in climate change research, seismic activity detection, and underwater search and rescue operations.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Communications Magazine·DateMar 19, 2020

As seen in movies, new meta-hologram can be used as a communication tool

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a multifunctional meta-hologram that can create different hologram images depending on the direction of light incident on the device. The new meta-hologram demonstrated diffraction efficiency higher than 60% and high-quality images were observed.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNanoscale Horizons·DateJan 28, 2020

New method captures real-time movement of millions of molecules in 3D

Researchers developed a new method using interferometry to visualize the movement of millions of molecules in 3D, providing insights into biological processes. The technique distinguishes between flow and diffusion movements, enabling the study of virus-cell interactions and cellular dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 18, 2019

A super-fast 'light switch' for future cars and computers

A team of scientists at ETH Zurich has developed a novel electro-opto-mechanical switch that can assess surroundings quickly and recognize people and obstacles. The switch uses plasmonics technology, which enables fast and compact switching with low losses.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateNov 20, 2019
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

A one-way street for light

Researchers have successfully created a new one-way street for light by cooling photons to a Bose-Einstein condensate. This process causes the light to collect in optical valleys from which it can no longer return, effectively irreversibly dividing the light beam. The findings could be of interest for future quantum communication.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience·DateNov 14, 2019

Researchers capture moving object with ghost imaging

Ghost imaging allows forming images with lower light levels but has been limited to stationary objects due to blurring from movement. Researchers developed a new method combining blurry image information with object location data to capture high-quality images of moving objects using ghost imaging.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateNov 13, 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.

Automated system generates robotic parts for novel tasks

The system designs and 3-D prints complex robotic parts called actuators that are optimized according to an enormous number of specifications. It demonstrates the ability to fabricate actuators showing different images at different angles, such as Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch portraits.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 12, 2019

Bring on faster internet: Device packs more into optical fiber

Researchers at University of Queensland developed a light beam device that can split light into multiple modes, increasing information density and potential for faster internet speeds. The device has applications in medical imaging, astronomy, and communication, enabling higher-quality images with greater detail.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 21, 2019

New holographic technique opens the way for quantum computation

Researchers from EPFL developed a new holographic technique that can encode quantum information in a nanostructure, enabling high-resolution imaging of electromagnetic fields and manipulating the quantum properties of free electrons. This breakthrough has significant implications for quantum computing applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 2019
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.

Largest, fastest array of microscopic 'traffic cops' for optical communications

Researchers create a 240-by-240 array of microscopic 'traffic cops' that can control light beams faster and more efficiently than ever before. The new photonic switch has the potential to transform how information travels through data centers and artificial intelligence networks, overcoming limitations of current electrical switches.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalOptica·DateApr 12, 2019

New X-ray measurement approach could improve CT scanners

A new measurement approach could create the first CT measurement standards connected to the International System of Units (SI), allowing for more precise calibration and comparison among scanners. This could lead to improved communication among doctors, more efficient diagnosis, and less costly treatment.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 1, 2019

New concept for tractor beam from Star Wars developed

Researchers at ITMO University propose a new approach to creating tractor beams using hyperbolic metasurfaces, which can capture particles and cells. The study shows that these materials have the potential for practical applications in experiments and traps.

SourceITMO University·JournalACS Photonics·DateNov 27, 2018

Trapping atoms, not space ships, with tractor beams

University of Adelaide researchers have created a powerful tractor beam that traps atoms in a microscopic hole at the center of an optical fiber. This breakthrough opens up new opportunities for quantum experiments and secure communications.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateOct 29, 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.

Spinning the light: The world's smallest optical gyroscope

Researchers developed a new optical gyroscope that detects phase shifts 30 times smaller than previous systems, enabling miniaturization to a chip smaller than a grain of rice. The Sagnac effect relies on detecting differences between two beams traveling in opposite directions.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 25, 2018

Light receptors determine the behavior of flashlight fish

Researchers found two opsin variants in the retina of flashlight fish, activated by low-intensity blue light, which influences behavioral responses. The study suggests that bioluminescence is processed and used to adjust behavior in this species.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 12, 2018

The perfect terahertz beam -- thanks to the 3D printer

Terahertz radiation can be used for various applications, including airport security checks and material analysis. Researchers at TU Wien have developed a technique to shape these beams using a precisely calculated plastic screen produced on a 3D printer, resulting in precise control over the beam's shape and direction.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 11, 2018

Scientists invented method of catching bacteria with 'photonic hook'

Researchers at ITMO University have created a new type of curved light beam called a photonic hook, which can improve optical system resolution and control nanoparticles. The technique uses a dielectric particle to bend the light beam, allowing for the manipulation of individual cells, viruses, or bacteria on a nanoscale.

SourceITMO University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 19, 2018
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.

Micro-spectrometer opens door to a wealth of new smartphone functions

Researchers developed a tiny spectrometer that can be easily integrated into smartphones, allowing for precise measurements of light absorption and reflection. The sensor has applications in gas detection, motion sensing and more, with potential to become as important as the camera.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 20, 2017

The path length of light in opaque media

Researchers have confirmed that the average path length of light in opaque media is always the same, regardless of transparency. This result has implications for our understanding of wave propagation in disordered media and has potential applications in various fields.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 10, 2017

New quantum materials offer novel route to 3-D electronic devices

Researchers have discovered a new way to simulate Einstein's theory of general relativity in electronic systems, enabling the creation of 3D electron lenses and electronic invisibility devices. The discovery uses Weyl metamaterials, which combine ideas from solid-state physics, particle physics, and cosmology.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 7, 2017

Secrets of bright, rapidly spinning star revealed

Researchers at the University of New South Wales have successfully detected polarised light from a rapidly spinning star for the first time. Using a highly sensitive piece of equipment, they measured Regulus' spin rate of 96.5% of its break-up velocity, equivalent to 320 km/s.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 18, 2017
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 from the MSU studied new liquid-crystalline photochrom

Researchers have synthesized new liquid-crystal photochromic polymers with comb-shaped molecules that change molecular orientation under external fields, forming coatings and films. These polymers exhibit photoisomerization and photo-orientation processes, allowing for control over phase behavior and optical properties.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalMacromolecular Chemistry and Physics·DateAug 18, 2017

New tool aims to make surgery safer by helping doctors see nerves

A new non-invasive approach using polarized light can help surgeons identify nerves in real-time, minimizing nerve damage and improving surgical outcomes. The technique has been shown to outperform visual inspection with an accuracy rate of 100% compared to 77%.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

Tiny 'motors' are driven by light

A team at MIT has created a system that can manipulate particles ranging from molecules to bacteria-sized objects using ordinary light. The researchers engineered asymmetrical particles, called Janus particles, which respond to the orientation of the beam and create forces that set them spinning uniformly.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 30, 2017

Quantum thermometer or optical refrigerator?

Physicists have developed optomechanical beams that can act as inherently accurate thermometers or optical shields, exploiting the principles of quantum physics. These microscopic beams have potential applications in biology, chemistry, electronics, and chip-based temperature sensors that never need calibration.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateJun 22, 2017
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.

Learning with light: New system allows optical 'deep learning'

A team of MIT researchers has developed a new approach to deep learning computations using light instead of electricity, potentially improving speed and efficiency for certain applications. The new programmable nanophotonic processor uses multiple light beams to carry out complex calculations with zero energy and near-instant results.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 12, 2017

New technologies for astronomical research

Researchers are developing micro-optical systems to efficiently rearrange starlight and enable high-precision measurements of cosmic objects. The technology targets use on large telescopes to search for earth-like planets and determine atmospheric composition.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·DateMar 9, 2017

Light beam replaces blood test during heart surgery

Researchers have developed a new technology using light to continuously monitor a surgical patient's blood, providing real-time status during life-and-death operations. This technology has the potential to replace the need for doctors to wait while blood is drawn and tested, potentially saving lives in intensive care settings.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateFeb 27, 2017

Background suppression for super-resolution light microscopy

The team of Professor Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus has refined the STED nanoscopy method to suppress background efficiently, resulting in enhanced image quality. This new method, named STEDD, is particularly advantageous for quantitative data analysis of three-dimensional molecules and cell structures.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 1, 2017
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Precise quantum cloning: Possible pathway to secure communication

Researchers at ANU and UQ have developed a cloning method that produces higher-quality quantum clones than existing methods, with a success rate of about 5%. This breakthrough could enable ultra-secure encryption over long distances, overcoming the limitations of current quantum communication systems.

SourceCentre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 26, 2016
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.

How shaping light can change particle behavior

The study found that higher order modes trap and move particles more rapidly than fundamental modes, with the collective particle speed slowing down when more particles are added. The results also showed that interparticle distances were smaller in higher order modes.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 15, 2016

Twisted optics: Seeing light from a new angle

Researchers developed a micro-scale twisted optics technique to store more information in light, enabling faster data transmission. The method uses angled light and strategically placed germanium layers to guide waves unidirectionally through a micro-ring.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 28, 2016

New way to control particle motions on 2-D materials

Researchers have discovered a new way to manipulate plasmons on graphene and TMDs using circularly polarized light, enabling separation of particle streams without magnetic fields. This breakthrough could lead to novel electro-optical devices and applications in chip-scale optical isolation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateMar 21, 2016
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.

Scientists paint quantum electronics with beams of light

Researchers at University of Chicago and Pennsylvania State University have discovered a method to 'paint' quantum electronic circuits using beams of light, allowing for rewritable devices without nanofabrication. This breakthrough enables faster and easier experimentation with fragile quantum materials.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 9, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Nature: Compact optical data transmission

Researchers at KIT created a 12.5-micrometer-long Mach-Zehnder modulator that converts digital signals into optical signals at speeds of up to 108 gigabits per second, promising a solution for data centers' power consumption and speed limits.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature·DateAug 3, 2015

Drawing a line between quantum and classical world

Researchers at University of Rochester find that a classical beam of light can fail Bell's Inequality test if entangled, suggesting that the boundary between quantum and classical worlds is not as clear-cut as thought. The study reveals that some features of the real world require entanglement, a key ingredient of quantum physics.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalOptica·DateJul 21, 2015
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

ORNL reports method that takes quantum sensing to new level

Researchers at ORNL have developed a technique that uses quantum correlated beams of light to overcome the fundamental detection limit of microcantilever-based sensors. This results in a 60% error reduction, enabling higher contrast imaging and detection of lower concentrations of particles.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalOptica·DateApr 23, 2015

UNC-Chapel Hill researchers collaborate to develop revolutionary 3-D printing technology

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have developed CLIP, a 3D printing technology that manipulates light and oxygen to fuse objects in liquid media. This method allows for the creation of commercially viable objects with feature sizes below 20 microns, making it possible to produce parts 25-100 times faster than traditional technologies.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalScience·DateMar 16, 2015

Quantum sensor's advantages survive entanglement breakdown

Researchers at MIT demonstrate that quantum sensors can outperform classical systems even when entanglement breaks down due to environmental influences. The study shows that correlations between entangled beams remain strong enough to improve signal-to-noise ratio, leading to increased sensitivity.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 9, 2015
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 path to brighter images and more efficient LCD displays

University of Utah engineers developed a polarizing filter that transmits more light, enabling longer battery life in mobile devices and improved low-light photography. The new technology allows for increased energy efficiency and can pass through up to 74% of light.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalOptica·DateNov 20, 2014