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Quantum light clarifies bioimaging

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.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalOptica·DateAug 20, 2022

First structure of key COVID enzyme at human body temperature

Researchers used x-ray crystallography to study the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 at various temperatures, revealing subtle conformational changes and potential targets for drug design. These findings may inspire the development of new antiviral drugs to counteract COVID-19 and prevent future pandemics.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalIUCrJ·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 16, 2022

HPC helps identify new, cleaner source for white light

Scientists at Giessen University used high-performance computing to understand the optical response of cluster glass, a material that generates bright, clear white light. The study verified the experiment through simulation and showed the link between the observed properties and molecular structure.

SourceGauss Centre for Supercomputing·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 16, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

For the first time, scientists have systematized all the halos discovered over thousands of years of observations

Researchers from Helsinki and Ural Federal Universities group atmospheric halos into commonly observed and rare categories. They identified conditions necessary for seeing optical illusions in the atmosphere, such as temperature and humidity, but still struggle to explain some exotic forms like elliptical halos and Moilanen arc.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalJournal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer·DateJul 26, 2022

A new leap in understanding nickel oxide superconductors

Researchers have discovered nickel oxide superconductors with the presence of charge density waves (CDWs), which accompany superconductivity. This discovery reveals that nickelates are capable of forming correlated states, hosting a variety of quantum phases, including superconductivity.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

X-ray light catchers for space just got a whole lot lighter

A team of scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University created unprecedentedly lightweight optics for X-ray space telescopes by employing Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) technology. By refining the patterning and annealing process, they achieved ultra-sharp features that rival existing telescopes in performance while significan...

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalOptics Express·DateJul 16, 2022

Potential energy surfaces of water mapped for the first time

Researchers have successfully mapped the potential energy surfaces of individual water molecules in liquid water at room temperature and normal pressure. This breakthrough uses X-ray analysis and statistical modeling to reveal the complex behavior of water molecules, shedding light on their role as a solvent.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2022
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.

Frequency-domain STED microscopy for selective background noise suppression

Researchers developed a novel frequency-domain method to selectively suppress background noise in STED microscopy, achieving higher spatial resolution and improved signal-to-noise ratio. The approach has potential applications in various dual-beam point-scanning techniques.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 6, 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.

Towards indoor lighting-powered thin-film, flexible solar cells with piezophototronics

Ritsumeikan University researchers create a novel thin-film flexible piezoelectric-photovoltaic device that can generate electricity from indoor lighting. The device's performance is improved through strain-induced polarization in the ZnMgO layer, increasing open-circuit voltage and overcoming charge recombination issues.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalNano Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022

Sponge-like solar cells could be basis for better pacemakers

Researchers at the University of Chicago have invented a new type of porous solar cell that can power medical devices, including pacemakers. The innovative technology reduces the size of bulky batteries and eliminates the need for high temperatures or toxic gases in production.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 7, 2022
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.

Making colors out of gold and DNA

Researchers at Aalto University developed a method to produce colors using gold nanocylinders suspended in a gel, controlled by custom DNA molecules. The technique uses polarized light to transmit specific colors depending on the orientation of the nanoparticles.

SourceAalto University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 31, 2022

Tiny infrared spectral filters for remote thermal sensing and imaging

New research develops a low-index BaF2 thin film-based microspectrometer technology for LWIR spectral sensing. The study demonstrates the use of flat and stress-free free-standing distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) for high-performance wavelength discrimination in the long-wave infrared region.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateMay 23, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Hidden distortions trigger promising thermoelectric property

Researchers uncover a new mechanism for lowering thermal conductivity in a unique material, which could aid the search for materials converting heat to electricity or vice versa. The discovery reveals a quantum mechanical twist on what drives exceptional thermoelectric properties.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Rice ‘metalens’ could disrupt vacuum UV market

Researchers at Rice University have created a 'metalens' that transforms long-wave UV-A into a focused output of vacuum UV radiation. The technology uses nanophotonics to impart a phase shift on incoming light, redirecting it and generating VUV without the need for specialized equipment.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

The quest for an ideal quantum bit

A team of scientists at Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new qubit platform formed by freezing neon gas into a solid and trapping an electron there. The platform shows great promise in achieving ideal building blocks for future quantum computers, with promising coherence times competitive with state-of-the-art qubits.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMay 4, 2022

A fast and accurate innovative imaging technique to monitor modern semiconductor devices

Researchers at Samsung have developed a novel approach to inspect critical dimensions of semiconductor devices, improving speed and resolution. The new 'line-scan hyperspectral imaging' (LHSI) technique offers faster measurements with high spatial resolution, outperforming existing methods.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Micro/Nanopatterning Materials and Metrology·DateApr 21, 2022
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.

Pivotal battery discovery could impact transportation and the grid

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a key reason for the performance decline of sodium-ion batteries, which are promising candidates for replacing lithium-ion materials. By adjusting synthesis conditions, they can fabricate far superior cathodes that will maintain performance with long-term cycling.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 24, 2022

Close the blinds during sleep to protect your health

A new study from Northwestern University finds that even moderate light exposure during sleep harms cardiovascular function and increases insulin resistance. Closing blinds and using dim lighting before bed can help mitigate these effects.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 14, 2022

Controlling how fast graphene cools down

Researchers have demonstrated control of graphene's relaxation time, allowing for novel functionalities in devices such as light detectors and modulators. This work paves the way for the development of ultrafast optical devices with potential applications in photonics and telecommunications.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalACS Nano·TypeObservational study·DateMar 4, 2022

Surprising semiconductor properties revealed with innovative new method

A new method using a thin oxide film has revealed that oxygen impurities in germanium are responsible for a surprising effect, creating holes in the material and eclipsing its semiconducting properties. This discovery has broad implications for understanding the role of thin oxide films in future semiconductor design.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2022

Mobile excitons as neutral information carriers

Researchers have created and detected dispersing excitons in a metal using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, a breakthrough that could enable efficient data transmission. The discovery of mobile excitons in TaSe3 reveals their mobility and potential to revolutionize electronics.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022
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.

New technology fused with photosynthetic life offers path to green energy

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a hybrid device that combines living organisms with bio batteries to produce stored energy under light conditions. The technology, known as microbial electro photosynthesis, has the potential to power a wide range of products, including transportation fuels and cosmetics.

SourceArizona State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 20, 2022

UNH study reveals striking discovery, how lightning actually starts

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have made a groundbreaking discovery about the origin of lightning using radio telescopes. They found that the sources of lightning are indeed the streamers, or tiny spark-like discharges, supporting one of two competing theories on how lightning begins.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 14, 2022
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.

Steering conversion of CO2 and ethane to desired products

Researchers identify two key principles determining reaction specificity in converting CO2 and ethane into synthesis gas or ethylene. The formation energy of the bimetallic catalyst and binding energy between the catalyst and oxygen released from CO2 are crucial in driving reaction selectivity.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2022

How to get chloride ions into the cell

A study led by Przemyslaw Nogly at PSI has detailed insight into the mechanism of a light-driven chloride pump in bacteria, revealing how light energy converts to kinetic energy and transports chloride ions inside cells. The pump uses two molecular gates to ensure one-way transport, with the process taking around 100 milliseconds.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2022
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.

Photon pairs are more sensitive to rotations than single photons

Scientists from Tampere University and National Research Council of Canada develop a technique using two-photon N00N states to create entangled photon pairs with improved measurement precision. This allows for spatially structured quantum states of light that can go beyond classical limits in rotation estimation.

SourceTampere University·JournalPhysical Review·TypeNews article·DateJan 12, 2022

Terahertz radiation source: Compact and simple

A novel, simple, and extremely compact terahertz radiation source has been developed at TU Wien, enabling high intensities and small size. The technology uses resonant-tunnelling diodes and can be used in various applications such as material testing, airport security control, radio astronomy, and chemical sensors.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2022

New device advances commercial viability of solar fuels

A new device has been developed that converts sunlight into two promising sources of renewable fuels – ethylene and hydrogen. The researchers found that by optimizing the working conditions for cuprous oxide, a promising artificial photosynthesis material, they can create a more stable system.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 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.

New quantum microscope enhances sensitivity avoiding photodamage

The new quantum microscope uses entangled photons to create interference patterns on the sample, reducing noise levels and increasing sensitivity by over 25%. This allows for high-resolution imaging of transparent cells without damaging them.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 18, 2021

Dalian Coherent Light Source demonstrates vibrationally excited molecular hydrogen production from water photochemistry

Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics demonstrate vibrationally excited molecular hydrogen production from water photochemistry. This process represents a further source of vibrationally excited H2 observed in the interstellar medium.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 10, 2021

Spintronics: Exotic ferromagnetic order in two-dimensions

Researchers from Germany and Spain successfully create a uniform two-dimensional material with exotic ferromagnetic behavior known as easy-plane magnetism. This discovery opens up new possibilities for spintronics, a technology that uses magnetic moments instead of electrical charges.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

SMART researchers discover new way to generate light through use of pre-existing defects in semiconductor materials

SMART researchers have discovered a practical method to overcome current challenges in the manufacture of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LEDs with considerably higher indium concentration. The new approach uses intrinsic defects in semiconducting materials to form quantum dots that emit long-wavelength light.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalACS Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021

Science snapshots from Berkeley Lab

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have successfully engineered microbes to produce novel chemicals and developed a new technique for studying enzyme reactions in real-time. This breakthrough could lead to the production of sustainable fuels, pharmaceuticals, and renewable plastics.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

New technique paves the way for perfect perovskites

A new instrument at the Advanced Light Source enables simultaneous measurement of crystal structure and optical properties during perovskite synthesis. This allows for real-time monitoring of material quality and performance, leading to potentially more efficient solar cells.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2021

Metamaterial eENZ can control correlations of light

A team at Tampere University has created a metamaterial eENZ mirror that can control the correlation properties of light, switching between high and low correlation states. By manipulating polarization, they achieve near-perfect coherence switching.

SourceTampere University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 2021
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.

Beam diagnostics for future laser wakefield accelerators

A team at HZB and PTB developed a method to measure the lateral expansion of the electron beam in laser plasma accelerators, achieving resolutions in the micrometre range. This technique uses coherent radiation of electron pulses via interference patterns to determine the beam cross-section.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2021

New world record in materials research - X-ray microscopy with 1000 tomograms per second

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have achieved a new world record in materials research by using X-ray microscopy to create 1000 three-dimensional images per second. This allows for the non-destructive study of fast processes in materials, enabling researchers to gain insights into material properties and behavior.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2021

Rapid increase in global light pollution

A new study found that global light pollution has increased significantly over the past 25 years, with the true increase potentially being much higher. The study, led by the University of Exeter, reveals that the transition to solid-state LED technology has masked the impact of light pollution in many regions.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalRemote Sensing·TypeObservational study·DateSep 14, 2021

Pusan University Researchers Develop ‘Super-Flexible’ Electroluminescent Devices

Researchers from Pusan University developed a super-stretchable, deformable, and durable material for 'super-flexible' alternating current electroluminescent devices. The material was successfully applied in devices that functioned with up to 1200% elongation, displaying stable luminescence over 1000 cycles.

SourcePusan National University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2021
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.

Free electron laser insight: laser-beam interaction in a dipole magnet

Researchers have directly measured the interaction between an ultraviolet laser and a relativistic electron beam in a dipole magnet. The study shows that energy modulation of the electron beam can be effectively tailored, leading to precise bends in the pathway and improved FEL pulse properties.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2021

Berkeley Lab science snapshots

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have made significant breakthroughs in developing a highly effective COVID-19 antibody therapy and an efficient thermoelectric system that can convert waste heat to electricity. The new antibody, S309, has been shown to neutralize all known SARS-CoV-2 strains and may be more difficult for new mutants to escape.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateAug 16, 2021

When vibrations increase on cooling: Anti-freezing observed

Researchers have observed a unique phenomenon where vibrations in a nickel oxide material increase with cooling, leading to the formation of faster fluctuations and ordered regions. This behavior is unusual and differs from the expected trend, which is that less thermal energy leads to more fluctuations freezing and order growing.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 4, 2021

Story tips: Sensing oil leaks, 3D prints in space, more fuel from ethanol, Arctic modeling boost, making isotopes faster and nano-enabled microscopy

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are advancing various technologies to minimize oil leaks, enable 3D printing in space, and increase fuel efficiency from ethanol. They have developed a quantum sensing system to detect pipeline leaks more quickly, built a thermal protection shield for a capsule launched into space, and creat...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 2, 2021

Chasing the light from elusive ‘milky seas’: CSU researchers light a path toward unraveling mysteries of the ocean from space

Using nearly a decade of satellite data, researchers at CSU have detected the elusive ‘milky seas’ – a rare display of bioluminescence in the ocean. The study reveals that milky seas are not adequately explained by previous hypotheses and proposes new theories for their formation.

SourceColorado State University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 29, 2021
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.

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

The paradox of a free-electron laser without the laser

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have developed a new method to produce coherent radiation using a short undulator and attosecond duration electron bunches. This approach could revolutionize light sources by making them compact, table-top size and capable of producing ultra-short duration pulses of light.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 16, 2021

New theranostic approach joins radiopharmaceuticals and nanoparticles to kill cancer cells

Researchers have developed a novel cancer treatment approach that utilizes Cerenkov radiation energy to activate semiconducting polymer nanoparticles, killing cancer cells. The approach amplifies weak Cerenkov luminescence with semiconducting polymers, increasing its potential to target and destroy cancer cells.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 14, 2021

Mass of human chromosomes measured for the first time

Scientists have measured the mass of human chromosomes using X-rays for the first time, finding them to be significantly heavier than expected. The study's results suggest there may be unexplained excess mass in chromosomes, which could have important implications for understanding human health and diagnosing cancer.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalChromosome Research·DateJun 1, 2021