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Revolutionary ultra-thin 'meta-lens' enables full-color imaging

Researchers at Columbia University have created the first flat lens capable of focusing a range of colors and polarizations to the same focal spot. The ultra-thin 'meta-lens' offers performance comparable to conventional lenses but with significantly reduced size and weight.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateOct 3, 2018

Molecular switch detects metals in the environment

Researchers from UNIGE have developed a new type of chemical sensor capable of detecting the presence of metals in the environment. The sensor forms a 3D structure with molecules that emit light when metal ions are present, making it easy to detect and identify different types of metals.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalChemical Science·DateAug 15, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Kirigami-inspired technique manipulates light at the nanoscale

Researchers create nanodevices using kirigami-inspired technique to filter out circularly polarized light, potentially enabling new applications in sensing, computation, and communications systems. The approach could lead to smaller, more efficient detectors and nanoscale optical isolators for laser optical communications systems.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 6, 2018

New mystery discovered regarding active asteroid Phaethon

Researchers used the Pirka Telescope to observe Phaethon's reflected light polarization at various angles, revealing strongly polarized light that challenges previous assumptions. The findings suggest that Phaethon's surface may be darker than expected, potentially due to a lower albedo or larger grains on its surface.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 29, 2018

Could this material enable autonomous vehicles to come to market sooner?

Researchers have developed a new material with high birefringence properties that can improve infrared detection in dense fog and dark conditions. This technology may enable faster deployment of autonomous vehicles and create more efficient heat sensing tools for firefighters.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 19, 2018
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.

Polarized light: A simple route to highly chiral materials

Scientists at the University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science have successfully created chiral nanostructures from gold particles by exploiting plasmon resonance. The method uses circularly polarized light to induce chirality in electric fields, which are then transferred to a dielectric material.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 8, 2018

'Exceptional' research points way toward quantum discoveries

Researchers at Rice University have discovered exceptional points in a unique material, enabling continuous tuning of light and matter coupling. This breakthrough may lead to novel quantum technologies like advanced information storage and one-dimensional lasers.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 30, 2018

A paperlike LCD -- thin, flexible, tough and cheap

Scientists have developed a paper-thin, flexible and durable liquid crystal display that can be updated rapidly like a newspaper. The new optically rewritable LCD design enables fast switching of images and text without power consumption.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 28, 2018

Scientists developed a material for the new type of liquid crystal displays

Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University and their international colleagues created a ferroelectric liquid crystal material that outperforms traditional LCDs in terms of speed, stability, and color accuracy. This breakthrough enables faster and more efficient displays with improved resolution and reduced energy consumption.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 6, 2018
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.

Bringing a hidden superconducting state to light

Researchers discovered a previously unknown superconducting state in layered material LBCO, which occurs above the temperature at which it transmits electricity without resistance. The team used high-intensity infrared light to reveal this hidden state, providing new insights into the decades-long mystery of superconductivity in cuprates.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateFeb 16, 2018

Scientists achieve high power with new smaller laser

Researchers successfully produced a high-powered, randomly polarized laser beam using a 'Q switch' laser, which typically emits brief pulses of light. This breakthrough expands the potential applications of smaller and more powerful lasers in various fields.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 22, 2018

Fast radio burst source linked to 'extreme' environment

Astrophysicists have discovered that the only known repeating fast radio burst (FRB) source is in an extreme environment, with measurements suggesting it may be caused by a black hole or other extreme astrophysical circumstances. The new findings raise questions about whether FRBs are a product of their environment.

SourceCIFAR·JournalNature·DateJan 10, 2018

Researchers steer the flow of electrical current with spinning light

Scientists at the University of Minnesota demonstrated a way to control the direction of photocurrent without an electric voltage. By using circularly polarized light and topological insulators, they created a device that generates a spin-polarized current flowing in one direction.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 18, 2017
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.

Are molecules right-handed or left-handed?

Researchers use ultrafast laser to study camphor molecules' photoionization, finding that mirror images emit electrons in opposite directions. This asymmetry could be key to understanding the homochiral nature of living organisms.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalScience·DateDec 7, 2017

Nano-watch has steady hands

Scientists at the University of Vienna have developed an incredibly stable nanoscale clock that can maintain its accuracy for extremely long periods. The clock, which consists of a levitated silicon cylinder, has a precision of one millionth of a second over four days.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 21, 2017

Photopolymerization-triggered molecular motion for flexible liquid crystal display

A new scanning wave photopolymerization technique allows for arbitrary alignment of liquid crystals with fine control over large areas without the need for strong dyes or additional processing steps. This method enables the creation of highly functional organic materials with arbitrary molecular alignment patterns on the nanoscale.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 13, 2017

A strange new world of light

Scientists at Harvard have created a new tool to study novel aspects of light, enabling more complex operations and applications. The metasurface connects two aspects of light, allowing for the creation of any structured beam, including spirals, corkscrews, and vortices.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateNov 2, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

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
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.

Tiny glow sticks

Chinese researchers create microscale optical waveguides using lanthanide metal-organic frameworks, offering potential for low-loss light conduction and polarized emissions. The novel structures emit luminescence in different colors depending on the used lanthanide, making them suitable for color-tunable optical applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 8, 2017

Researchers demonstrate spin effects in solution-based nanocrystals

Scientists have successfully demonstrated electronic spin effects in wet-chemically produced nanocrystals, opening doors to more efficient and powerful electronics. The Rashba effect, a phenomenon normally not observed due to high crystal symmetry, was controlled by varying layer thickness, light used, and electric fields.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2017

Physicists explore elusive high-energy particles in a crystal

Researchers at MIT have measured Weyl fermion chirality using circularly polarized light, exhibiting an electrical current without external voltages. The TaAs metal produces a large current response, making it suitable for sensitive mid-infrared detectors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 30, 2017

Technique makes more efficient, independent holograms

A team of researchers from Harvard SEAS encoded multiple holographic images in a metasurface that can be unlocked separately with differently polarized light. This advancement offers more control over polarization manipulation and measurement, enabling applications such as anti-fraud protection and entertainment.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 4, 2017
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.

Towards mastering terahertz waves?

Researchers have developed a technique to control terahertz waves using graphene, enabling potential applications in telecommunications and medical imaging. This discovery could lead to faster data transfer speeds and improved security in communications, as well as non-invasive detection of biological molecules for medical diagnosis.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 7, 2017

Impossible (but working!) recipe for ultrashort laser pulses

Researchers from Warsaw Laser Centre generate high-energy ultrashort laser pulses in an optical fiber using a novel solution. The new method is stable and ideal for industrial applications, offering improved processing times.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalOptics Letters·DateFeb 23, 2017

Nanotechnology: Lighting up ultrathin films

Novel ultrathin semiconductors exhibit strong interaction with light, making them suitable for opto-electronics applications. The researchers' new polarimetric method enables efficient detection of valley polarization in these materials.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 17, 2017

A nano-roundabout for light

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created a nano-roundabout for light signals using an atomic switch, allowing for precise control over the direction of circulation. The system utilizes a bottle resonator and a single rubidium atom to break symmetry and define traffic rules.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

New tool enables viewing spectrum from specific structures within samples

Researchers at the University of Chicago created a new tool to view the spectrum from specific structures within samples. The instrument, a spatially selective microscope, allows users to zero in on the spectrum from specific regions of interest and capture standard fluorescence images of the whole field of view.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateNov 29, 2016

How to control polarization of light

Physicists at Lomonosov Moscow State University have successfully controlled the polarization of light, reducing its speed by up to 10 times. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of spatial light modulators, which could enable faster and more efficient data processing in photonic computers.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateOct 3, 2016

In the ocean, clever camouflage beats super sight

In a study, researchers found that silvery fish camouflage can deceive even animals with super sight. Fish like tuna and mackerel use reflective scales to blend in, but surprisingly, polarization vision doesn't help animals spot them from farther away.

SourceDuke University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 22, 2016
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.

Mantis shrimp roll their eyes to improve their vision

Researchers discovered mantis shrimp use eye rotations to improve their polarized light vision. This unique ability has significant implications for the development of automated visual systems, particularly in underwater exploration and materials analysis.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2016

Ultrathin, flat lens resolves chirality and color

Researchers at Harvard developed an ultra-compact flat lens that can resolve both spectral information and chirality of objects. The device has significant potential for various fields, including biology and pharmaceuticals.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 23, 2016

Liquid crystals open new route to planar optical elements

Researchers at Osaka University developed a technology to control the light wavefront reflected from cholesteric liquid crystals, enabling planar optical components. The new technology contributes to the miniaturization of catoptrics devices by allowing functionality by design.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 16, 2016
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 better hologram for fraud protection and wearable optics

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have created compact holograms using nanostructures sensitive to light polarization, improving anti-fraud holograms and wearable optics. These holograms can encode multiple images and protect against counterfeiting.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 13, 2016

Physicists detect the enigmatic spin momentum of light

Researchers at RIKEN and the University of Bristol have experimentally verified that light exerts a new type of optical force proportional to its circular polarization. The team used an extremely precise nano-cantilever to measure this force, which is much weaker than usual radiation pressure.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 25, 2016

Breaking metamaterial symmetry with reflected light

A group of UK researchers discovered a new type of optical activity by breaking the symmetry of metamaterials with reflected light. This enables novel applications such as polarization rotating and circularly polarizing beam splitters and mirrors, as well as optical isolators for circularly polarized light.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 5, 2016
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.

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.

Flexible film may lead to phone-sized cancer detector

A thin, stretchable film developed by University of Michigan researchers could enable doctors to catch cancer recurrence earlier with more effective treatment. The film produces circularly polarized light, a crucial ingredient in early warning systems, making it potentially simpler and less expensive to produce.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 14, 2016

Novel metasurface revolutionizes ubiquitous scientific tool

Researchers at Harvard have built a polarimeter on a microchip, shrinking the widely used instrument to make it more accessible for various applications. The device provides high-performance polarization measurements at reduced size and cost, promising enhanced network security and real-time monitoring.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalOptica·DateJan 8, 2016

Nanoscale one-way-street for light

Researchers at TU Wien developed a nanoscale device that allows light to propagate in only one direction, breaking the symmetry of traditional optics. By coupling alkali atoms to ultrathin glass fibers, they achieved high transmission rates for light traveling in one direction while blocking it in the other.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateDec 14, 2015
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.

System boosts resolution of commercial depth sensors 1,000-fold

By exploiting polarization of light, MIT researchers have developed a system that can increase the resolution of conventional 3D imaging devices up to 1,000 times. The technique uses coarse depth estimates and real-time calculations to provide high-quality 3D images.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateDec 1, 2015
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Fish skin provides invisibility in open ocean

Scientists have discovered that certain fish use microscopic structures called platelets in their skin cells to reflect polarized light, allowing them to camouflage themselves from predators. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective materials and technologies for ocean camouflage.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience·DateNov 19, 2015

How fish minimize their visibility to predators in open waters

Researchers found that certain fish species exhibit lower polarization contrast with their backgrounds, making them harder to spot. The platelets in these fish align on vertical axes to reflect downward-directed light and diffuse horizontal-axis light, providing enhanced camouflage abilities.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 19, 2015

First circularly polarized light detector on a silicon chip

A team of engineers from Vanderbilt University developed the first integrated circularly polarized light detector on a silicon chip. The device uses metamaterials to detect the polarization state of light and has potential applications in drug screening, surveillance, optical communications, and quantum computing.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 22, 2015
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.

New research may enhance display & LED lighting technology

Researchers at University of Illinois developed a method to extract more efficient polarized light from quantum dots, enhancing mobile phone, tablet, and computer displays, as well as LED lighting. This technology could lead to brighter, less expensive, and more efficient displays with reduced energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 7, 2015