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LED lets archaeologists see the past in a new light

Researchers from Aarhus University developed a low-cost multispectral imaging system that uses LEDs at 16 different wavelengths to reveal differences in materials. The system was tested at Sorte Muld and Fredbjerg, revealing new layers and changes in the fill that were difficult to distinguish in normal color photographs. This technolo...

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateSep 1, 2026

KAIST develops glare-free, heat-blocking 'smart window'... applicable to buildings and vehicles​

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

Matter at the crossroads

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

SNU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's Optical Engineering and Quantum Electronics Laboratory develops ultra-compact camera technology optimized for VR/AR devices

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...

Chinese Medical Journal study reframes guidelines for transarterial chemoembolization refractoriness in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment

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

What makes some brown algae shimmer and others not?

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

New approach to developing efficient, high-precision 3D light shapers

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

Climate change to produce more rainbows

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

Optical rule was made to be broken

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

Fiddler crab eye view inspires Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers to develop novel artificial vision

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

New scanning technology could help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease using light

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

Dynamical machine learning accurately reconstructs volume interiors with limited-angle data

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.

Ambient light alters refraction in 2D material

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

Iridescent color from clear droplets

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2019

New lens ready for its close-up

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

Smaller, faster, cheaper

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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 27, 2015