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Asymmetrical magnetic microbeads transform into micro-robots

Researchers have discovered that asymmetrical magnetic microbeads can be transformed into useful tools controlled by a changing external magnetic field. The Janus particles, inspired by the Roman god of two faces, exhibit unique behavior under oscillating fields, forming linear chains and expanding to create micro-muscles on a chip.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJul 26, 2016

Enhancing molecular imaging with light

A new platform called spectroscopic photon localization microscopy (SPLM) increases the resolution of molecular imaging by fourfold, making it faster and simpler. This breakthrough can be applied to various fields like materials science and life sciences to study nanoscale environments.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 25, 2016

Seeing atoms

Chinese researchers have developed a new in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique that offers powerful functionality to understand atomic-scale structure and its correlation with physical and chemical properties. The technique has potential applications in smart windows, energy management, and environmental protection.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 7, 2016

Beating the limits of the light microscope, one photon at a time

Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a technique to simultaneously image with multiphoton fluorescence and second-harmonic generation, achieving nanoscale resolution. This breakthrough enables the observation of previously inaccessible structures in living tissue, opening up new avenues for biological research.

SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 26, 2016

New microscope technique could speed identification of deadly bacteria

Researchers have developed a new microscope technique using holographic images and machine-learning software to identify bacterial species at the single bacterium level. The approach has shown high accuracy in distinguishing between pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, promising to reduce treatment time and improve patient outcomes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateJun 8, 2015

Sharper nanoscopy

Researchers have developed a new approach to sharpen nanoscale microscopy by precisely determining the light source's location, overcoming diffraction limit challenges. This innovation enables super-resolution imaging with accuracy, correcting for image-dipole distortions and improving spatial resolution.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2015

Illuminating neuron activity in 3-D

Scientists have developed a new imaging system that reveals neural activity throughout the brains of living animals in 3-D. The technique allows for simultaneous imaging of every neuron in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans and the entire brain of a zebrafish larva, providing a more complete picture of nervous system activity.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Methods·DateMay 18, 2014

Bake your own droplet lens

Researchers have developed a new process to create high-quality lenses at a low cost, making them suitable for various applications including disease detection, scientific research, and education. The lenses were created using a simple method involving the hanging and curing of droplets of transparent silicone polymer.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateApr 24, 2014

New kind of microscope uses neutrons

Researchers at MIT have developed a new concept for a microscope that uses neutrons to create high-resolution images, enabling the probing of internal structures in metal objects and biological materials. The device could improve existing neutron imaging systems by a factor of 50, allowing for sharper images and smaller instruments.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 4, 2013