A team from TU Wien has developed a method to cool several particles simultaneously by adapting the spatial structure of a laser beam to particle motion. The technique uses far-field wavefront shaping to optimize cooling and can be achieved without knowing the exact location or movement of the particles.
SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 28, 2023
Scientists developed a sensitive nanostructured silver surface to detect arsenic in water, food and soil using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The new technique is more sensitive and easier to produce than existing methods, making it ideal for on-site field assays.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateFeb 21, 2023
Scientists at Shinshu University have created a new method for achieving structural coloring through plasma irradiation of graphite, eliminating the need for harmful color dyes. The technique produces erasable and stable colors that can be manipulated using various factors, offering a sustainable solution for the art world.
SourceShinshu University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2023
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
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 developed a novel, calibration-free, and reconstruction-free imaging technique that directly obtains a clear image from a single shot of speckle images. The method uses real-time video imaging to build a three-dimensional image, taking slices through the speckles.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalPhotoniX·DateJan 22, 2023
Research by Dr. Jessie Turner and colleagues highlights the impact of water-clarity metrics on seagrass and light-loving organism restoration goals. The study suggests that different measurement methods can misrepresent underwater light climates, emphasizing the need for clear communication of methods used.
SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 11, 2023
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed nanoantennas that significantly increase the efficiency and photoluminescence of white LEDs by replacing aluminum with titanium dioxide. This breakthrough enables the creation of intensely bright yet energy-saving solid-state lighting solutions.
SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have developed a unidirectional device that significantly increases the quality of optical vortex signals. By transmitting selective optical vortex modes exclusively unidirectionally, they largely reduce detrimental backscattering to a minimum.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2022
A research team at UNIST has developed a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with a special textured anti-reflective coating, increasing its power conversion efficiency to 23.50%. The device maintains its initial efficiency for 120 hours, outperforming existing devices which drop to 50% after 20 hours.
SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 22, 2022
Researchers compiled 41 solar occultation observations of Saturn's rings from the Cassini mission to inform future investigations into their formation and evolution. The study reveals new information on ring particles' sizes and compositions, shedding light on the origins of the ring system.
SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalIcarus·TypeObservational study·DateOct 18, 2022
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.
A team of researchers led by Prof. Shinya Hosokawa analyzed the atomic configurations of Pd42.5Ni7.5Cu30P20, a champion bulk metallic glass, and found its characteristic configurations that lead to its excellent glass-forming ability.
SourceKumamoto University·JournalJournal of Non-Crystalline Solids·TypeObservational study·DateSep 25, 2022
Researchers developed a new holographic microscope that can see through the intact skull and image the neural network of a living mouse brain with high resolution. The technology uses a wave correction algorithm to filter out multiple scattered light waves, allowing for sharper images.
SourceInstitute for Basic Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2022
Researchers at Texas A&M University created a device that harnesses quantum fluctuations to enhance spectroscopy results in Brillouin microscopy, increasing image clarity and accuracy. The new source significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for better visualization of biological structures and properties.
Researchers characterize material properties of IP-Q using Raman spectroscopy and nanoindentation, revealing elastic parameters and their effects on acoustic behavior. The study optimizes elastic parameters for TPP-fabricated structures, benefiting applications in life science, mobility, and industry.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateAug 12, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Huddersfield researchers are working on a new project to develop novel and sustainable molecular materials that harness light to drive useful chemical reactions. The project aims to address the limitation of using rare and expensive elements like ruthenium and iridium in current applications. By exploring the intrinsic properties of li...
A new broadband near-field chiral source enables comparison of different edge states to advance applications in integrated photonics and wireless devices. The research advances the field of chiral photonics science, promoting applications of chiral-sorting technology for microwave metadevices.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 19, 2022
Researchers at TU Wien and the University of Rennes have created a method to calculate tailor-made anti-reflective structures that can be used to reduce wave reflections in various mediums. This technology has potential applications in improving wireless reception, imaging techniques, and even future mobile communications.
SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 14, 2022
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.
Using nearly two decades of research and ultrabright X-ray beams, scientists have created a detailed structural map of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), a key regulator of cellular operations. The results provide significant implications for understanding disease mechanisms and developing new treatments.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJul 6, 2022
By using the brain's visual response as feedback, researchers can reconstruct images of simple objects in real-time. The technique has potential applications in augmenting human capabilities and could one day be used to bring together human and artificial intelligence.
Scientists at Max Born Institute create novel method to probe magnetic thin film systems, identifying heat injection from platinum layer as cause of magnetization changes. The approach allows femtosecond temporal and nanometer spatial resolution, paving way for studying ultrafast magnetism and device-relevant geometries.
SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022
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 collaborative initiative aims to establish common protocols for assessing and comparing diffuse optics systems used in medical diagnosis. The study presents the results of a multi-laboratory comparison of 12 institutions and 28 systems, proposing simple numeric values for easy comparison across instruments.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJun 15, 2022
Researchers at Boston College have discovered a new particle known as the axial Higgs mode, a magnetic relative of the mass-defining Higgs Boson particle. The detection was made possible by using light scattering and quantum simulator techniques in a tabletop experiment at room temperature.
SourceBoston College·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new technique called evanescent scattering microscopy (ESM), which allows for the visualization of proteins and other vital biomolecules with unparalleled clarity. This label-free imaging method reduces light-induced heating and requires no fluorescent dye or gold coating, making...
SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022
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.
A new measurement and imaging approach resolves nanostructures smaller than the diffraction limit without dyes or labels, using polarization and angle-resolved images of transmitted light. The method measures particle size and position with high accuracy, closing the gap between conventional microscopes and super-resolution techniques.
A WVU postdoctoral researcher has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of magnetic reconnection, which can be used to predict space weather events that affect satellite and power grid systems. The study uses advanced laser diagnostics to measure electron speeds, providing new insights into plasma physics processes.
SourceWest Virginia University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 11, 2022
Researchers found that mitochondria act as microlenses to focus light on outer segments where it's converted into nerve signals, shedding new light on the retina's optical properties. This discovery has potential clinical implications for detecting retinal diseases.
SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 2, 2022
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.
Researchers have discovered that altering the interface between two materials in time can lead to new opportunities for wave manipulation. This breakthrough enables novel concepts and applications in photonics, including nonreciprocal gain, power steering, and optical drag.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateFeb 14, 2022
A new microscope allows for real-time aberration-free dynamic speckle microscopy using compressed time-reversal matrix technology. This enables almost real-time volumetric adaptive optical imaging with reduced data acquisition time and improved lateral resolution.
SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2022
Researchers developed a new reagent-free detection technique for SARS-CoV-2 using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning. The method shows an accuracy of 80% in detecting COVID-19 infections from saliva samples, overcoming limitations of RT-PCR testing.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateFeb 9, 2022
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.
A new compression algorithm using deep learning enables accurate modeling of light scattering by non-spherical particles. The developed method reduces the file size to 20MB, making it 7000 times smaller than the original database.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2022
A new wearable headset, Kernel Flow, monitors brain activity using time-domain fNIRS. The system can record high-resolution brain signals from across the brain with performance similar to conventional systems.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJan 18, 2022
Researchers have developed a label-free detection technique that digitally counts intact SARS-CoV-2 virus particles in saliva or exhaled breath. The approach uses an aptamer attached to a biosensor to selectively recognize and capture viruses, providing lower cost and reduced time to diagnose infections.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 18, 2022
Researchers have created a new, simpler way to fabricate SERS nanostructures with superior stability and performance at low cost. By using a heat-resistant polymer called polyimide (PI), they can produce nanosurfaces with nanopillars that enhance signal intensity for efficient chemical detection. The new fabrication method has the pote...
SourcePusan National University·JournalSensors and Actuators B Chemical·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2022
A new optical instrument will provide clearer images of the rhizosphere, enabling scientists to study chemical and biomolecular interactions between plants and soil. This research aims to mitigate the effects of climate change and develop more sustainable fuels and fertilizers.
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.
Researchers from UC Riverside developed a revolutionary imaging technology that compresses light into a nanometer-sized spot, allowing for unprecedented 6-nanometer color imaging of nanomaterials. This advance improves the study of unique properties and potential applications in electronics and other fields.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2021
Researchers at JILA have developed a technique to extend the excited-state lifetime of atoms in a Fermi sea, allowing for improved quantum communication networks and atomic clocks. By manipulating the Pauli exclusion principle, they achieved a significant delay in spontaneous decay.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2021
MIT physicists have observed the Pauli exclusion principle suppressing how a cloud of ultracold, superdense atoms scatter light. The effect, known as Pauli blocking, makes the atoms effectively transparent and invisible to photons.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 18, 2021
Physicists at the University of Bath have found a way to reveal the forbidden colours of light in twisted nanoparticles, opening up new possibilities for emerging nanotechnologies. This discovery has implications for communications, nanorobotics and ultra-thin optical components.
SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2021
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.
Scientists designed loss in optical devices to achieve unconventional physical phenomena, leading to novel methods for optical control and engineering. The team created two whispering gallery mode microresonators with different absorption losses, coupling their fields to achieve coherent perfect absorption.
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021
A Russian-U.K. research team has proposed a theoretical description for the new effect of quantum wave mixing involving classical and nonclassical states of microwave radiation. The study builds on earlier experiments on artificial atoms, which serve as qubits for quantum computers and probes fundamental laws of nature.
SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 31, 2021
Researchers discovered false optical activity in Raman spectroscopic analysis of vitamin B12 and its derivatives, leading to misinterpretations of data. The phenomenon was attributed to circular dichroism and can be computationally modeled or adapted to measurement methods.
SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
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
A new imaging technique called DEEP enables researchers to image complex biological systems at high resolution and speeds previously impossible. This breakthrough may lead to new understandings of brain function and other biological processes.
SourceHarvard University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 7, 2021
A team of MIT and Harvard University researchers has developed a modified version of two-photon imaging that can image deeper within tissue and perform the imaging much more quickly than what was previously possible. This technique allows for high-resolution images of structures such as blood vessels and individual neurons within the b...
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 7, 2021
Optical cloaking technology may soon be used in vehicles to remove blind spots and enhance safety. Recent research has made progress in developing invisibility cloaks using standard optical components.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 15, 2021
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.
Scientists developed a method to dynamically switch liquid metal surfaces between reflective and scattering states using electricity. This technology could be used to create electrically controllable mirrors or illumination devices, enabling new applications in art and advanced devices.
SourceOptica·JournalOptical Materials Express·DateJun 14, 2021
Researchers have developed a new technique called diffuse optical localization imaging (DOLI) that enables noninvasive imaging of the brain's microvasculature and neural activity at depths of up to 4 millimeters. This method uses the NIR-II window and is poised to bring new insight into how the brain works in health and disease.
Researchers at the Centre Spatial de Liège developed a method to identify and characterize stray light on space telescopes using femto-second pulsed lasers. This will improve the quality of images and develop more efficient space instruments.
SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 19, 2021
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.
Researchers at NIST measured moon dust particles as small as 400 nanometers, revealing a strong link between particle shape and light scattering. The study uses X-ray nano computed tomography to analyze particle shapes and improve satellite tracking of weather patterns.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalIEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters·DateApr 28, 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
Researchers at Utrecht University and TU Wien have developed special light waves that can bypass scattering in complex media, enabling precise imaging of objects. This breakthrough could revolutionize biological experiments, such as studying cells, by controlling light distribution inside tissues.
SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 12, 2021
A novel cancer diagnosis technique using circularly polarized LEDs can detect precancerous lesions and early cancer, providing valuable information for treatment decisions. The method uses spin-LEDs to emit circularly polarized light, which interacts with healthy and unhealthy cells differently.
SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Biophotonics·DateApr 6, 2021
A study by researchers at the University of Campinas investigated optomechanical coupling, creating a theoretical model that was validated by simulations and comparisons with experimental results. The researchers found that both dispersive and dissipative interactions occur in microcavities, which can contribute to advances in fields s...
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 2, 2021
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.
Researchers find that cooperative effects play a significant role in photon escape rates from cold atomic gases, exceeding the impact of disorder. The study uses complex models to account for light-matter interactions and finds that a simple scalar model can accurately predict escape rates.
SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateFeb 26, 2021
Research by Matthew Staymates found N95 masks with exhalation valves ineffective at filtering respiratory droplets. Masks without valves block most droplets, making them a more effective choice for disease prevention.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateNov 10, 2020
Researchers created airflow videos showing how exhalation valves on masks defeat the purpose of slowing COVID-19 spread. The videos, published in Physics of Fluids, demonstrate that air can leave masks unfiltered through valves, reducing mask effectiveness.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateNov 10, 2020
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.
Researchers have designed novel linear nanomotors powered by laser light, enabling controlled movement and reducing complexity. The technology uses localized surface plasmon resonance to produce directional scattering, allowing for precise navigation.
SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 4, 2020
Researchers from Hokkaido University and the US used computer simulations to show that high pressure can reduce light scattering in silica glass fibers by over 50%. This could enable longer distance data transmission without amplification, revolutionizing global communication.
SourceHokkaido University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateOct 19, 2020
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
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a tiny photonic chip that can fit within the tip of a finger, enabling fast and accurate chemical characterization. The device is capable of detecting various molecules in a sample with a sensitivity 10 times higher than traditional Raman spectroscopy systems.
SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateAug 28, 2020