Researchers at KAIST develop a 'pedestrian-friendly smart window' technology that reduces heating and cooling energy consumption in urban buildings while resolving light pollution issues. The RECM system operates in three modes, allowing for real-time adjustment of light and heat transmission.
SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2025
Researchers at Weizmann Institute create innovative method to track rapid material changes using two laser beams, enabling precise reconstruction of optical delay changes. This advance could lead to the development of fastest processors possible, increasing data transmission speed.
SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 13, 2025
Researchers at Lancaster University have successfully demonstrated negative refraction using atomic arrays, eliminating the need for metamaterials. This achievement paves the way for novel technologies based on negative refraction, including perfect lenses and cloaking devices.
SourceLancaster University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025
Researchers at Seoul National University's Optical Engineering and Quantum Electronics Laboratory developed an optical design technology that dramatically reduces the volume of cameras with a folded lens system utilizing metasurfaces. The new lens system achieves a thickness of 0.7mm, making it suitable for ultra-compact devices such a...
SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
A team of researchers has developed a compact augmented reality (AR) display that can be integrated into eyeglasses, significantly improving image quality and field of view. The new technology combines two optical technologies to create a high-resolution AR system with minimal distortions.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Photonics·DateSep 25, 2024
The Chinese College of Interventionalists has introduced a consensus statement on TACE refractoriness in hepatocellular carcinoma, providing a framework for clinicians to identify and manage the condition. This move aims to optimize treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes, particularly in China where HCC incidence is high due...
SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeSurvey·DateAug 20, 2024
Kobe University researchers have discovered that the shimmering effect in some brown algae is due to the presence of tiny, uniform-sized spheres within cells called iridescent bodies. These microspheres reflect green light more than other colors, resulting in the alga's characteristic shine.
SourceKobe University·JournalEuropean Journal of Phycology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 20, 2024
Scientists at Tohoku University create a tiny spot in glass using a tailored laser beam, enabling precise processing at scales below 100 nanometers. The breakthrough opens up new possibilities for laser nano-processing in various industries and scientific fields.
SourceTohoku University·JournalOptics Letters·DateMar 27, 2024
Scientists create a simple approach to fabricating highly precise 3D aperiodic photonic volume elements (APVEs) for various applications. The method uses direct laser writing to arrange voxels of specific refractive indices in glass, enabling the precise control of light flow and achieving record-high diffraction efficiency.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateApr 21, 2023
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.
A water droplet acts as a model of an atom when illuminated by laser light, allowing researchers to study resonance phenomena and energy levels. The droplet's size changes due to evaporation, creating a visible 'optical atom' that can be used to analyze water quality and detect pollutants.
SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023
Researchers can now study microplankton at an individual level using holographic microscopy and AI, gaining a deeper understanding of their movement, growth, reproduction, and interactions. This breakthrough provides new insights into the ocean's oxygen production and carbon cycle.
SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournaleLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 1, 2022
A new study predicts that climate change will increase rainbow viewing opportunities in northern latitudes and high elevations, while decreasing them in tropical regions. The research used photographs from Flickr to map rainbow occurrences under current and future climates.
SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 28, 2022
Engineers at Rice University have discovered a way to manipulate light at the nanoscale that surpasses the traditional Moss rule for optical materials. The researchers found that iron pyrite has a high refractive index, making it suitable for applications such as virtual reality and 3D displays.
SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2022
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 light-based sensor harnesses the light-guiding properties of spider silk to detect and measure small changes in the refractive index of a biological solution, including glucose and other types of sugar solutions. The sensor is practical, compact, biocompatible, cost-effective, and highly sensitive.
SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateAug 2, 2022
Researchers from GIST have developed an amphibious artificial vision system with a panoramic field-of-view based on the Fiddler crab's eye structure. The system overcomes limitations of current artificial visions, enabling imaging in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2022
Lithium niobate photonics has developed rapidly, enabling compact devices with high performance. Thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) structures have shown significant improvements in refractive index contrast, paving the way for more integrated photonic devices.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJun 23, 2022
Researchers developed a non-invasive optical technique using spectroscopy to identify structural changes in the brain and diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The new technology has potential as a simple, completely non-invasive method of early detection and could also assess treatment effectiveness.
SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a transparent composite material made from limonene acrylate, a monomer derived from renewable citrus. The material offers high optical transmittance and low haze, with applications in structural use and potential uses in smart windows and nanotechnology.
SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Science·DateMay 4, 2021
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 used image-analysis methods from engineering to spot minute movements of a stony coral. The study found more activities happening under nighttime conditions and provided insights into coral behavior and physiology.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 20, 2021
Researchers at MIT have developed a dynamical machine learning approach to tackle the challenge of reconstructing object interiors from limited-angle data. The method exploits sequential information to improve reconstructions, achieving promising results in weak and strong scattering conditions.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateApr 14, 2021
A recent study published in Physical Review X reveals that the refractive index of dilute atomic gases can only reach a maximum value of 1.7 due to near-field interactions and multiple scattering effects.
SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMar 30, 2021
Researchers discovered giant optical anisotropy in molybdenum disulfide crystals, enabling compact photonic devices and waveguides. The material's birefringence value is several times greater than previous record-breakers.
SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 3, 2021
Researchers have fabricated a tunable metalens made of phase-changing material GSST that can focus light on objects at multiple depths without moving. This enables the creation of miniature optical devices such as heat scopes for drones and ultracompact thermal cameras for cellphones.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2021
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.
A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology has developed ultra-high refractive index lenses using visibly transparent amorphous silicon. The new material allows for the control of all visible light colors, enabling more efficient and cost-effective virtual and augmented reality devices.
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 14, 2021
The researchers designed a single flat piece of glass with microscopic structures to manipulate light and produce crisp, 180-degree panoramic images. The new design enables ultra-wide-angle lenses to be integrated into smartphones, laptops, and medical imaging devices.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 18, 2020
Scientists at Rice University have created a two-dimensional material with unique optical characteristics that can be controlled by ambient light. This innovation has the potential to aid the development of 3D displays, virtual reality, and lidar systems for self-driving vehicles.
SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 2, 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.
Researchers have developed a new type of laser beam that doesn't follow long-held principles about how light refracts and travels. The beams, known as spacetime wave packets, can be arranged to behave in the usual manner, not changing speed at all, or even speeding up in denser materials.
SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 6, 2020
Researchers found that ants tend to avoid parts of impediments that slow them down, similar to how light rays take time-reducing paths. The study used lens-shaped impediments and observed that ants diverged from the center on convex lenses and converged on concave lenses.
SourceLaboratory of Behavioral Ecology and Evolution at Seoul National University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 26, 2020
Researchers have created a hydrogel that responds to optical stimuli and modifies the stimulus in response, trapping light within regions of the material. The discovery opens new pathways toward creating devices that aren't reliant on human control.
SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 24, 2020
Scientists have created a novel material that can change its refractive index in response to low-intensity laser light, enabling the manipulation of light beams and creation of optical logic gates. This breakthrough could lead to the development of soft, circuitry-free robots driven by light from the sun.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 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 found identical structures in horseshoe crab and ancient sea scorpion eyes, suggesting contrast enhancement evolved over 400 million years. The findings shed light on the evolution of compound eyes in arthropods.
SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 3, 2019
Researchers at VTT created an optical fibre from cellulose, suitable for measuring moisture levels in buildings. The cellulose-based fibre absorbs and releases water, allowing for accurate measurements.
SourceVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland·JournalCellulose·DateDec 3, 2019
A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Science developed a new method to modulate light using water as a medium, called giant optical modulation. This technique is less expensive and easier to use than conventional methods, with a maximum intensity change of 50% proportional to the applied AC voltage.
SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalOSA Continuum·DateNov 20, 2019
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.
A team of researchers identified a critical protein component essential for coordinated motion in comb jellies. The study found that this protein, CTENO64, plays a vital role in maintaining harmony among the tiny surface organelles on comb plates, which propel these marine animals through the ocean.
SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 24, 2019
Skoltech scientists have developed a method to control the nonlinear optical response of carbon nanotubes using electrochemical gating. This approach enables designing devices that can control the duration of laser pulses, opening up new possibilities for universal laser systems with controllable pulse duration.
SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 10, 2019
Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to increase optical coherence tomography resolution down to a single micrometer, enabling live imaging of tissues throughout the body. Machine learning tools are used to compensate for light distortions and create high-quality images.
SourceDuke University·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 27, 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.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a novel form of computing using light patterns and materials that react intuitively to light. This new approach enables simple calculations such as addition and subtraction without the need for power sources.
SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 24, 2019
Researchers at Penn State and MIT discovered that uniform-sized clear water droplets on a surface can produce bright iridescent colors. The color is due to total internal reflection and light interference, creating an optical effect not possible in perfect spheres.
Engineers at MIT and Penn State University developed a model predicting the color of droplets given specific structural and optical conditions. The team found that total internal reflection allows hemispherical droplets to produce color through interference effects, which are stronger in small droplets.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2019
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism for high-quality optical resonators by exploiting the mutual destructive interference of two low-quality optical states. This allows for secure light trapping in various materials at small scales, enabling the creation of compact devices like sensors and filters.
SourceITMO University·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateFeb 25, 2019
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.
Scientists from the Max Born Institute have created the first refractive lens that focuses extreme ultraviolet beams, utilizing a jet of atoms instead of traditional glass. This innovation enables novel approaches to image biological samples on extremely short timescales, with potential applications in microscopy and structural analysis.
SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature·DateNov 28, 2018
Researchers are investigating the fundamental physics of how light is contained within photonic lattices. Dr. Robert Magnusson aims to understand the relationship between leaky and non-leaky modes and develop new low-power modulators for optical communications systems.
A team of scientists at the University of Cambridge has created a super-thin, non-toxic, lightweight, edible ultra-white coating that mimics the structure of beetle scales. The material scatters light extremely efficiently, producing bright white colours without the need for pigments.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 13, 2018
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.
Researchers at LMU Munich create a new mode of electron microscopy that enables the observation of fundamental interactions between light and matter in real time and space. The technique uses attosecond pulse trains to monitor ultrafast processes initiated by light oscillations onto matter, allowing for sub-atomic resolution.
SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 30, 2017
Researchers from University of Houston release open-source dataset and instructions for building a smartphone microscope with an inexpensive inkjet-printed elastomer lens. The device can perform fluorescence microscopy, detect waterborne pathogens, and has potential applications in rural areas and developing countries.
SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateNov 28, 2017
Scientists have successfully developed a zero-index waveguide compatible with current silicon photonic technologies, allowing them to observe standing waves with infinitely-long wavelengths. This breakthrough could enable the creation of ultra-compact optical devices and pave the way for new quantum computing applications.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalACS Photonics·DateOct 9, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the optical properties of glass, finding that stable glasses can exhibit birefringence despite having no molecular orientation. This unique property allows for the creation of scratch-free coatings and materials with different mechanical properties.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 13, 2017
Researchers from Kazan Federal University and international partners successfully amplified a localized optical signal within a titanium nitride nanoantenna. The phenomenon is based on the nonlinear interaction of surface plasmon-polaritons and localized Stokes waves.
SourceKazan Federal University·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 12, 2017
Viscoelastic polymer solutions exhibit elasticity, causing severe distortions in observed flow patterns. Researchers also studied 'living polymers', finding unique flow patterns with blockages in the channel.
SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalSoft Matter·DateNov 22, 2016
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.
Researchers in China developed a 'shadow method' to measure forces acting on water strider legs, revealing key principles behind their locomotion. The technique could help design advanced biomimetic robots and measure forces at the single molecular level.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 17, 2016
Scientists have created a new solid 3D superlens using nanobeads, enabling the view of previously invisible details on surfaces. The technology adds 5x magnification to existing microscopes, opening up new possibilities for biology and medicine.
SourceBangor University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 12, 2016
A NASA team is testing a photon sieve optic for improved UV resolution, which could help answer a 50-year-old question about the sun's corona. The new technology has already achieved success in its initial testing phase.
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.
By immersing glass particles in a fluid, researchers enhanced the optical properties of both solids and liquids, demonstrating significant changes in diffusivity. The findings have potential applications in imaging, sensing, and photography, including calibrating medical-imaging systems and creating tunable optical devices.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Photonics·DateJun 9, 2016
A team of researchers led by Robert W. Boyd has demonstrated up to 100 times greater nonlinearity in indium tin oxide than other known materials, revolutionizing photonics applications. This breakthrough opens the door for more careful study of the material's unique properties and potential applications.
SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 2016
PolyU has achieved the world's fastest optical communications speed for data centres by reaching 240 G bit/s over 2km, reducing transmission cost per unit to one-fourth. This breakthrough enables widespread use of immersive videos and new IoT applications.
SourceThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University·DateApr 7, 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.
Researchers have created a new method to create flat optical lenses that can bend light to a single point, correcting a widespread misconception. The new lens is up to 10 times thinner than current camera lenses and could be used in medical devices, drones, and future smartphones with high-powered cameras.
SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 12, 2016
Researchers at Harvard have created the first on-chip metamaterial with a refractive index of zero, allowing for infinitely fast light manipulation. This discovery has exciting applications in quantum computing and integrated optics.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 19, 2015
A new type of electro-optic modulator is smaller, faster, and cheaper than traditional models, using plasmon-polaritons to enhance its performance. The device consumes much less energy than current commercial devices, making it a crucial step towards reducing the environmental impact of data transmission.
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.
A research team at Georgia Institute of Technology has realized a nonlinear material with opposite refractive indices at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies of light, as predicted theoretically. This discovery has significant implications for controlling light in information processing, sensing, and signal generation.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 15, 2015
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a novel scanning optical interferometry technique that enables the spatial mapping and visualization of high-order modes of Brownian motions. This breakthrough technology holds promise for multimodal sensing, signal processing, and computing applications.
SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2014