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Chemists, engineers craft adjustable arrays of microscopic lenses

Scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a system that can adjust the size, shape, and refractive index of microscopic lenses in real-time. The design uses hydrogels and polydimethylsiloxane to create a dynamic platform for soft robotics and liquid optics applications.

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.

Adaptive optical neural network connects thousands of artificial neurons

Researchers developed a novel photonic processor with adaptive neural connectivity, allowing for the creation of complex artificial neural networks. The system utilizes waveguide-coupled phase-change material to create almost 8,400 optical neurons that can adapt their connections through synaptic and structural plasticity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists film soundwaves in a crystal

Researchers used a unique X-ray technique to capture soundwaves' propagation in a diamond crystal, revealing ultrafast structural phenomena that were previously beyond scientific reach. The breakthrough enables real-time imaging of solid materials with unprecedented resolution and speed.

3D-printed plasmonic plastic enables large-scale optical sensor production

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed 3D-printed plasmonic plastic, enabling the mass production of optical sensors that can detect hydrogen gas. The composite material has unique optical properties, allowing it to filter out molecules except hydrogen, making it ideal for various applications.

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.

Accelerating sustainable semiconductors with ‘multielement ink’

Researchers have developed a new semiconducting material called multielement ink that can be processed at low temperatures, paving the way for more sustainable semiconductor industry. The breakthrough enables faster and lower-energy production of semiconductors, which could significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Integrating 2D materials for on-chip photonics

Researchers review recent progress in hybrid integration of 2D materials for integrated optics platforms, highlighting key steps and challenges. Highly nonlinear materials like graphene and TMDs show promising results with increased effective nonlinear performance.

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.

Expanding the VR immersion comfort zone

Researchers have developed high-resolution near-eye displays with integrated light field technology, overcoming limitations of earlier displays. The new designs feature improved resolution, pixel density, and vision correction capabilities, resulting in enhanced visual comfort and immersive VR experiences.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Better cybersecurity with new material

Researchers at Linköping University develop a new type of quantum random number generator based on perovskite light emitting diodes, providing improved randomness and security. The technology has the potential to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than traditional methods.

Growing triple-decker hybrid crystals for lasers

By controlling the arrangement of multiple layers within crystals, researchers can tune the materials' optoelectronic properties and emit light of specific energies. This technique has significant implications for applications such as LEDs, solar cells, and lasers.

Realizing ultrafast imaging from 2D to quasi 3D

Scientists at Beijing Institute of Technology have developed an ultrafast quasi-three-dimensional technique, enabling higher dimensions to analyze ultrafast processes. This method breaks through the limitations of original observational dimensions, enhancing our ability to analyze ultra-fast processes comprehensively.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

Fanning the flames

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that wildfires emit dark brown carbon, a potent climate-warming particle that absorbs solar radiation. This finding has broad implications for climate models and highlights the need to revise existing approaches to account for the unexpected effects of brown carbon.

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.

Butterfly-inspired films create vibrant colors while passively cooling objects

Researchers develop nanofilms that mimic the nanostructures of butterfly wings, creating vibrant colors without absorbing light. These films can be used on buildings, vehicles, and equipment to reduce energy consumption and preserve color properties, with potential applications in energy sustainability and carbon neutrality.

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.

New robot boosts solar energy research

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new robot called RoboMapper that can conduct experiments more efficiently and sustainably to develop new semiconductor materials. The robot automates the process of testing multiple samples simultaneously, reducing time and energy consumption by nearly 10 times.

Discovery may lead to terahertz technology for quantum sensing

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a metal oxide that can enable terahertz technology for quantum sensing. The material, strontium titanate, exhibits unique properties that allow it to interact strongly with terahertz light, forming new particles called phonon-polaritons.

AJR on sociodemographic factors and screening CTC among Medicare beneficiaries

Lacking Medicare coverage for screening CTC may contribute to greater income-based differences in its use compared to other recommended screening strategies or diagnostic CTC. Medicare coverage of CTC could reduce income-based disparities for individuals avoiding optical colonoscopy due to invasiveness or complication risk.

Front cover highlights "innovative approach" of research into 2D materials

Lancaster University researchers have developed a novel scanning thermal microscopy approach to directly measure the heat conductivity of two-dimensional materials. This breakthrough enables the creation of efficient waste heat scavengers generating cheap electricity, new compact fridges, and advanced optical and microwave sensors and ...

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.

MIT physicists generate the first snapshots of fermion pairs

Researchers at MIT have taken the first direct images of fermion pairs in a cloud of atoms, shedding light on how electrons form superconducting pairs that glide through materials without friction. The observations provide a visual blueprint for how electrons may pair up in superconducting materials.

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.

Dissolving cardiac device monitors, treats heart disease

Researchers developed a soft, wireless implant that monitors the heart and delivers electrical stimuli to stop atrial fibrillation. The device dissolves harmlessly in the body after a clinically relevant period, reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.

Chemists develop new method to create chiral structures

A team of chemists at UC Riverside has discovered that the distribution of a magnetic field is itself chiral, allowing for the rapid formation of chiral structures. This method has potential applications in sensing and anti-counterfeit technology, such as detecting chiral or achiral molecules linked to certain diseases.

Move over diamond. hBN is quantum’s new best friend.

Researchers have developed a method to stabilize the –1 state of boron vacancy defects in hBN, enabling it to replace diamond as a material for quantum sensing and quantum information processing. The team discovered unique properties of hBN and characterized its material, opening up new avenues for study.

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.

Delving deeper into structure and color for advancements in fabrication

A new approach enables prediction of structure-color relationships in biomimetic materials using computational reverse-engineering methods. This allows for the design and fabrication of materials with custom, robust colorations, which could be used in various applications such as energy, optics, photonics, and biomedicine.

New recipes for better solar fuel production

A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.

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.

Shining a light on neuromorphic computing

Optical memristors have the potential to transform high-bandwidth neuromorphic computing, machine learning hardware, and artificial intelligence. However, scalability is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed to unlock their full potential.

Ultrafast terahertz emission from emerging symmetry-broken materials

Researchers utilized terahertz emission spectroscopy to explore properties and dynamics of quantum materials, such as superconductors and magnets, as well as graphene and metal nanostructures. The method revealed hidden material behaviors, enabling the discovery of exotic properties and phenomena in emerging materials.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Shrimp from Finding Nemo could help keep your white bread white

Ben-Gurion University researchers have discovered a new principle in optics using the Pacific Cleaner Shrimp, leading to the creation of an ultra-thin and highly efficient whitening material. The study found that the shrimp's unique arrangement of molecules creates birefringent nanospheres with brilliant whiteness.

Maximizing excitons as energy carriers

Researchers aim to understand and utilize quasiparticles called excitons, which can transport energy without a net electric charge. The goal is to design energy-efficient systems that detect and emit light across a wide range of frequencies.

Researchers devise a simpler way to mimic aspects of human vision

Researchers devise a simpler way to mimic aspects of human vision by extracting key optical measurements from computer models of the human eye and designing a simple optical system. The new design achieves similar image quality to the human visual system without requiring aspherical components, paving the way for more efficient devices.

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.

Quantum sensing in your pocket

Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science have demonstrated a new chip-scale approach using OLEDs to image magnetic fields, offering a potential solution for portable quantum sensing. This technique enables small, flexible, and mass-producible sensing without requiring input from a laser or cryogenic temperatures.

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.

Optically controlled metasurfaces for dynamic dual-mode modulation

A novel metasurface-based approach achieves dynamic dual-mode modulation of THz waves by varying the wavelength of pumping light. The device can realize mode-selective or mode-unselective modulations on incident THz waves, offering high modulation pixel resolution and ultrafast modulation speed.