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Scientists write 'traps' for light with tiny ink droplets

Researchers at University of Cambridge develop a printing technique that can write structures small enough to trap and harness light. The method combines high-resolution inkjet printing with nanophotonics, enabling the creation of sensors, lasers, and compact optical circuits.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 23, 2017

Physicists achieve rapid magnetic switching with lasers

Researchers used advanced synchrotron measurement setup to study spin dynamics of ferrimagnetic thin films containing different proportions of gadolinium. They found that varying composition dramatically changed response to laser pulse, leading to improved switching speeds and precision.

SourceOsaka University·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateSep 26, 2017
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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A new approach to ultrafast light pulses

Scientists at MIT and their collaborators have developed a new approach to ultrafast light pulses by coupling molecular aggregates with thin layers of metals like silver. This enhancement increases the material's response time tenfold, making it suitable for applications in photonic chips and signal processing.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 18, 2017

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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A stream of superfluid light

Scientists have observed room-temperature superfluidity in light, a phenomenon previously only seen at extremely low temperatures. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new photonic devices with reduced losses and enhanced performance.

SourcePolytechnique Montréal·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 5, 2017
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.

Improving silver nanowires for FTCEs with flash light interactions

A Korean research team develops high-performance silver nanowires with strong adhesion using flash light-material interactions. The Ag NWs demonstrate six times higher conductivity than pristine NWs, and their adhesion to substrates is enhanced by 310%.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 4, 2017

First experimental evidence of 3-D aromaticity in stacked antiaromatic compounds

Researchers at Nagoya University have synthesized stable antiaromatic nickel norcorroles and investigated their interactions, revealing face-to-face interactions that form a triple-decker structure with aromatic characteristics. The resulting materials exhibit nonlinear optical properties and potential applications in optoelectronics.

SourceNagoya University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 15, 2016
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.

Shape matters when light meets atom

Scientists mapped the probability of Rubidium atoms absorbing photons with rising and decaying shapes. The results show a significant increase in excitation at moments when the photon arrives dimly and ends brightly, indicating that photon shape plays a crucial role in light-matter interactions.

SourceCentre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 2, 2016

NIJ grant to develop investigative tool for counterfeit bills

A team of experts from Sam Houston State University is developing a novel investigative tool using micro Raman spectroscopy to analyze inkjet printer signatures. The goal is to provide reliable leads in counterfeit cases while being time-effective and non-destructive.

SourceSam Houston State University·DateNov 29, 2016

Liquid light switch could enable more powerful electronics

Scientists have created a mini electro-optical switch that can change the spin of a liquid form of light by applying electric fields to a semiconductor device. This technology bridges the gap between light and electricity, enabling faster and more powerful electronics.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 8, 2016
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Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Bridging the gap between the quantum and classical worlds

Researchers from OIST Graduate University have developed a classical model to describe the phenomenon of strong coupling, challenging previous thoughts that it was a quantum effect. Strong coupling occurs when light and matter interact strongly, affecting both parties equally.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 2, 2016

Attosecond physics: A switch for light-wave electronics

Scientists have developed a novel method to study the dynamics of electrons in solids when exposed to ultrafast light pulses. This breakthrough enables the precise optimization of energy transfer between light and matter, paving the way for faster electronic signal processing and potentially accelerating data processing to its limits.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature·DateMay 23, 2016
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Superfast light source made from artificial atom

Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have created a superfast light source using an artificial atom called a quantum dot. The innovation increases the interaction between light and matter, resulting in faster electron decay and more efficient light emission.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 27, 2016

Graphene decharging and molecular shielding

Researchers found that graphene efficiently shields chemical interactions by covering surface defects, reducing reactivity. This shielding enables controlled selectivity and activity of supported metallic catalysts on carbon substrates.

SourceInstitute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateFeb 8, 2016

Exciting breakthrough in 2-D lasers

Researchers from Berkeley Lab demonstrate bright excitonic lasing at visible light wavelengths using a monolayer of tungsten disulfide in a microdisk resonator. The technology has potential for high-performance optical communication and computing applications, as well as valleytronic applications.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 20, 2015

Making 3-D objects disappear

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have devised an ultra-thin invisibility 'skin' cloak that can conform to the shape of an object and conceal it from detection with visible light. The cloak, made of gold nanoantennas, reroutes reflected light waves to render the object invisible to optical detection.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2015
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Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Biomanufacturing of CdS quantum dots

A team of Lehigh University engineers has developed a novel approach for the reproducible biosynthesis of extracellular, water-soluble quantum dots using bacteria and cadmium sulfide. This method reduces cost and environmental impact by utilizing an engineered strain of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to control particle size.

SourceLehigh University·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJun 23, 2015

Framework materials yield to pressure

Researchers demonstrate a novel approach for generating new phases using high-pressure crystallographic studies of molecular materials. The study reveals the structural changes in α-Co(dca)2 under pressure, shedding light on its correlation with magnetic properties.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalActa Crystallographica Section B·DateJun 11, 2015

Taking control of light emission

By pairing graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, researchers can control light waves and create unique optical materials. This enables the development of tiny optical waveguides and new applications in infrared spectroscopy and imaging devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 20, 2015
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.

Solving molybdenum disulfide's 'thin' problem

Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully increased molybdenum disulfide's light emission by twelve times by combining nanotechnology, materials science, and plasmonics. This breakthrough enables the material to be used in light emitting diode technologies and has potential applications in solar cells and photodetectors.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 27, 2015

New optical materials break digital connectivity barriers

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered novel nanoscale 'metamaterial' that could serve as future ultra-high-speed computing units. These nonlinear metamaterials can be used to develop active optical components essential to the manufacture of ultra-high-speed optics-based computer chips.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 18, 2015

Light as puppeteer

Scientists at OIST successfully demonstrated a more robust method for controlling single, micron-sized particles with light using higher order modes. The technique allows particles to move up to eight times faster along a microfiber, with applications in physics, biology, and quantum research.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 18, 2015
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.

Looking into the light

Jon Schuller, UCSB assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, is studying how light interacts with complex materials like plastics, which have unique optical properties. The research could lead to the development of new organic photonic devices with enhanced performance and low-cost semiconductors.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateFeb 26, 2015

The power of light-matter coupling

Researchers study polaritons in organic molecules strongly coupled with photons, finding they can remain at lowest energy levels for an unusually long time. This phenomenon opens the door to novel applications, including modifying optical, electronic and chemical properties.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateFeb 5, 2015

Breakthrough lights up metamaterials

A City College of New York led-team successfully demonstrated enhancing light emission and capturing light from metamaterials with light emitting nanocrystals. The breakthrough could lead to practical applications in ultrafast LEDs, nanoscale lasers, and efficient single photon sources.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalOptica·DateJan 15, 2015

Two or one splashing? It's different!

Researchers at the University of Bonn have successfully observed the interaction of exactly two atoms in a light cage, contradicting the assumption that two atoms would behave differently from a single atom. The experiment reveals that backaction suppresses high light waves, limiting the emergence of photons.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 15, 2015
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Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

A quick look at electron-boson coupling

Berkeley Lab researchers used trARPES to measure the ultrafast response of electron self-energy to photo-excitation in a high-temperature superconductor. The results show a link between electron-boson coupling and superconductivity.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2014

Pitt team first to detect exciton in metal

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have detected a fundamental particle of light-matter interaction in metals, known as an exciton. The discovery provides a microscopic quantum mechanical description of how light excites electrons in metals.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 1, 2014
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.

Two-dimensional material shows promise for optoelectronics

MIT researchers have successfully created devices that harness or emit light using a novel material called tungsten diselenide, which is just a few atoms thick. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ultrathin, lightweight, and flexible photovoltaic cells, LEDs, and other optoelectronic devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 10, 2014

How to make the wonder material graphene superconducting

Scientists at the University of Vienna have unveiled the superconducting pairing mechanism in calcium-doped graphene using the Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) method. The findings reveal that calcium is the most promising candidate to induce superconductivity in graphene, with a critical temperature of about 1.5K.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2014

Berlin researchers open a door for solid state physics

Researchers at Helmholtz Association's HZB have identified a new area of application for X-rays in solid state physics, leveraging nonlinear physical effects. They observed the interaction between soft X-rays and solids, enabling enhanced color analysis and structural properties correlation.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature·DateAug 21, 2013
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Giant planets offer help in faster research on material surfaces

A new, fast and accurate algorithm developed by Polish researchers can calculate the Chandrasekhar function with accuracy up to over a dozen decimal digits. This method is crucial for understanding physical and chemical properties of materials' surfaces studied under laboratory conditions.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalComputer Physics Communications·DateJun 5, 2013

Chaos proves superior to order

Researchers have demonstrated that chaotic systems can store more light than ordered ones in optical cavities, with applications for quantum optics and solar cells. The study found a six-fold increase in energy storage in chaotic cavities, outperforming classical counterparts.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 7, 2013

Scientists shed light on glowing materials

Researchers mapped how light behaves in complex photonic materials, breaking the limit of light resolution at the nanoscale. They developed a new technique combining electronic excitation and optical detection to explore the inside of a photonic crystal, revealing new insights into light-matter interactions.

SourceKing's College London·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 20, 2012

Topological transitions in metamaterials

Metamaterials can control light by imprinting properties on photons, paving the way for commercial applications in 5-10 years. This breakthrough also enhances microscopic capabilities to reveal nanofeatures to the human eye.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScience·DateApr 13, 2012
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.

Stanford engineers create nanoscale nonlinear light source

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a nanoscale nonlinear optical device that can be controlled electronically, offering potential applications in data communications and information processing. The device uses plasmonics to intensify light and produce a powerful electrical field.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalScience·DateSep 22, 2011

Bending light with better precision

Researchers have created a technique to control the speed and direction of light using memory metamaterials, which can repeatedly change their properties. This innovation enables the manufacture of Gradient Index of Refraction (GRIN) devices for imaging and communication technologies with unprecedented precision.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 15, 2011

Penn researchers break light-matter coupling strength limit in nanoscale semiconductors

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully increased light-matter coupling strength in nanoscale semiconductors, paving the way for designing faster and more efficient photonic devices. By fabricating structures with surface passivation techniques, they were able to overcome the limitation of bulk materials.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2011

UM scientists advance in quantum computing and energy conversion tech

Researchers demonstrate first full quantum control of qubit spin in tiny colloidal nanostructures, advancing quantum computing and energy generation technologies. The discovery enables precise control over light-matter interactions, paving the way for more efficient photovoltaic cells and potential breakthroughs in climate change.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateJul 2, 2010
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Materials' crystal properties illuminated by mathematical 'lighthouse'

Researchers uncover 'duality relations' between particle arrangements, enabling control of ground states and potentially creating novel materials with unique properties. The discovery could lead to materials that respond to light or mechanical stress in new ways, such as maintaining shape in extreme temperatures.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 17, 2008

Light sheds on new fiber's potential to change technology

Researchers at the University of Bath discovered how photonic crystal fibre creates a broad spectrum of light, allowing for more efficient telecommunications and precise optical clocks. By understanding this mechanism, scientists can now manipulate the supercontinuum with greater precision.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 10, 2007

Femtosecond pulses at Berkeley Lab's advanced light source

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have successfully produced sub-picosecond pulses of synchrotron light, extending the spectral range from infrared to x-ray wavelengths. The technique enables scientists to capture atomic motion and chemical reactions on a timescale almost incomprehensibly short.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMar 22, 2000

Optical tweezers: single photons trap a single atom

Researchers at Max-Planck Institute for Quantum Optics successfully produce novel molecule by trapping single atom between two mirrors with highly reflecting surfaces. The molecule is created when an individual atom absorbs a light quantum and forms a bound state, exhibiting periodic energy exchange with the light field.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateMar 21, 2000
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.