Researchers at the University of Birmingham have devised a way to fabricate a complex structure, previously found only in nature, to control light in the visible range. This new approach uses self-assembled colloidal particles to create chiral photonic crystals with tailored optical properties.
Researchers created adaptive optical phantoms by combining multiple pigments to mimic target tissue's optical properties, successfully validating them in extensive experiments. The new platform enables broader band spectra for emerging hybrid modalities and novel instruments.
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.
Researchers discuss the construction, properties, and applications of 2D/quasi-2D perovskite-based heterostructures. These heterostructures offer novel functionalities for photovoltaic solar cells, LEDs, and photodetectors.
Researchers designed a small fluorescent protein that emits and absorbs light in the near-infrared spectrum, allowing for deeper and clearer biomedical images. The protein's ability to penetrate tissue enables the capture of detailed images of complex structures and cells.
Scientists review natural structures with exceptional properties, such as wood, bones, spider webs, and sea sponges. These hierarchical structures can be used to design innovative materials for vibration damping and acoustic wave control.
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.
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.
The researchers achieved ultranarrow linewidths and wavelength tunability in the lithium niobate microlaser, enabling applications like lidar and metrology. The single-mode lasing is realized through simultaneous excitation of high-Q polygon modes at both pump and laser wavelengths.
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University has developed a technique to align gold nanorods using magnetic fields while maintaining their optical properties. The method involves coating the nanorods with iron oxide nanoparticles and controlling their alignment using a low-strength magnetic field.
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.
Researchers discovered near-zero index materials where light's momentum becomes zero, altering fundamental processes like atomic recoil and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. These materials could enable perfect cloaking and have potential applications in quantum computing and optics.
Rice University researchers have developed a customizing method for producing doped graphene with tailored structures and electronic states. The doping process adds elements to the 2D carbon matrix, making it suitable for use in nanodevices such as fuel cells and batteries.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers at NC State University discovered that built-in thermal shock absorbers in perovskites protect dipoles from thermal interference, enabling room-temperature superfluorescence. The 'Quantum Analog of Vibration Isolation' mechanism creates a filter that allows synchronized emission of photons.
A team of researchers from PNNL and UW successfully designed a bio-inspired molecule that directs gold atoms to form perfect nanoscale stars. The work is an important step toward understanding and controlling metal nanoparticle shape and creating advanced materials with tunable properties.
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.
A team of researchers at NGI and NPL demonstrated that slightly twisted 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) display room-temperature ferroelectricity. This characteristic can be used to build multi-functional optoelectronic devices with built-in memory functions on a nanometre length scale.
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.
Researchers calculate that low-power lasers on Earth could launch and maneuver small probes equipped with silicon or boron nitride sails, propelling them to much faster speeds than rocket engines. The lasers could propel tiny sailed probes on interplanetary or interstellar missions without requiring large amounts of fuel.
Researchers at INRS developed a method to amplify weak optical signals while reducing noise content using the Talbot self-imaging effect. This technique has potential applications in various fields like telecommunications, bioimaging, and remote sensing.
The study found that black carbon decreased significantly in Beijing since the implementation of the Clean Air Action Plan, with a 71% reduction over nine years. However, this decrease was not accompanied by an equivalent decrease in aerosol extinction coefficient, leading to mixed effects on optical properties.
A new study reveals that butterfly transparency is not only for camouflage but also to signal toxicity. Researchers found that transparent wings can serve both purposes, allowing butterflies to 'cheat' by having the best of both worlds - visibility in sunlight and concealment in shadows.
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.
Physicists at the University of Bath and Michigan discover a new photonic effect in semiconducting nanohelices, accelerating drug discovery and development. The effect enables chirality measurement in tiny volumes, potentially revolutionizing high-throughput screening for life-saving medicines.
Researchers at Pusan National University discovered that tempered glass is more resistant to water-promoted fracture growth than annealed glass. The study found that water droplets penetrate microcracks in glass surfaces, dissolving silicon-oxygen bonds and degrading mechanical strength.
The integration of optical sensing into orthopedic surgical devices has the potential to increase accuracy and improve outcomes in musculoskeletal repair. Researchers explore various types of optical sensing, including spectroscopy and imaging, to address unmet clinical needs in orthopedic surgery.
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology discovered a way to create a stable resonator using two parallel gold flakes in a salty aqueous solution. The structure can be manipulated and used as a chamber for investigating materials and their behavior, with potential applications in physics, biosensors, and nanorobotics.
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.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS developed a new silicon coating that counters chromatic dispersion in transparent materials like glass. The ultra-thin coating uses precisely designed silicon pillars to capture and re-emitting red light, allowing slower-moving blue light to catch up.
A lung model mimicking complex anatomy has enabled the assessment of respiratory volumes using a gas-in-scattering-media absorption spectroscopy (GASMAS) technique. The study demonstrates the feasibility of GASMAS to sense changes in gas volume in a controlled environment, paving the way for potential clinical applications.
Researchers at Incheon National University have developed a compact and robust optical sensor that can convert light to digital signals, suitable for flexible electronics. The new design architecture enables superior chip area efficiency and large-area scalability.
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have discovered that ultraviolet light can modulate oxide ion transport in a perovskite crystal at room temperature. This enables the enhancement of future battery and fuel cell functionality by increasing energy storage and output efficiency.
Stretching shape-memory polymers with clusters of gold nanoparticles alters their optical properties, enabling the tracking of thermal history. The material's shape can be recovered by measuring changes in its optical properties, making it a potential sensor for monitoring temperature and ensuring material quality.
Researchers discovered that transparent materials are perceived as flatter than actual thickness, contrary to metallic or glossy surfaces. The study used a computational model to predict image cues contributing to judgment errors and identified regional variations in local luminance contrast as the key factor.
Berkeley Lab researchers have developed a machine learning model that can design structures with desired optical properties, speeding up the process by at least two to three orders of magnitude. The CUORE experiment has collected a record-breaking dataset for a 'neutrinoless' experiment, surpassing previous experiments by about 10 times.
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.
Research on strain engineering of 2D materials, including graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, has shown promising results. The unique mechanical and optical properties of these materials make them suitable for optimizing device performance and enabling new photonic applications.
A new model describes optical properties of high-density plasma, accurately predicting experimental results and outperforming previous models. The generalized Quasi Independent Particle (QUIP) model takes into account plasma microfield inhomogeneity, making it suitable for high-density plasma.
Researchers from the University of Warsaw developed a method to grow transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers with excellent optical properties on atomically flat boron nitride substrates. The technique, using molecular beam epitaxy, overcomes previous limitations and allows for large-scale production of high-quality monolayers.
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 method called SCOPE estimates three properties of clouds that determine the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface. The accuracy of the estimated cloud optical properties was evaluated using one year of data from 2018 for measurements taken at seven ground-based locations.
Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a concept for an 'optical vacuum cleaner' that can manipulate and capture nanoparticles using optical properties. This technology has the potential to improve air purification in lab-on-a-chip operations and clean rooms.
Dr. Ackleson's research on phytoplankton optical properties has led to the development of radiative transfer models and optical sensors commercially available today. He has also played a key role in shaping national strategies for ocean research, observation, and technology development.
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.
Timothy J. Bunning received the 2019 MRS Communications Lecture for his work on gold nanoparticles and liquid crystal arrays, which demonstrates plasmonic and photo-thermal conversion capabilities.
Physicists at the University of Bath have developed a flexible way to synthesize novel nanomaterials, including Tungsten Disulphide -TMDs. The process allows for tunable materials with potential applications in optics and sensors.
The Cassini spacecraft gathered data on five small moons close to Saturn's rings, revealing no volatiles other than water ice. The moons' geology was shaped by complex processes, including tidal stresses, with optical properties influenced by contamination from the main rings and ring material.
Researchers at Duke University used a supercomputer to computationally predict the optical properties of layered hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites, opening new material design space for light-based devices. The study successfully matched experimental observations, proving the accuracy of computational models.
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 propose using transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) to build faster computers that can process information in femtoseconds, a million times faster than current electronics. TMDCs have the potential to increase computer memory speed by a millionfold due to their unique hexagonal lattice structure and optical properties.
Researchers from Russia and India have developed a narrow-band UV photodetector based on indium oxide nanocrystals embedded in aluminum oxide. The device shows record values of responsivity and external quantum efficiency, making it suitable for applications such as fluorescence detection and UV phototherapy.
Scientists investigated aerosol optical properties and radiative effects in the Pearl River Delta region of China. They found that fine-mode strongly absorbing particles dominated aerosols during the dry season, significantly influencing radiation exchange between Earth's surface and atmospheric system.
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.
Researchers at MIPT have conducted precise measurements of ultrathin gold films, which are key components of modern micro- and nanoscale optical and optoelectronic devices. The findings reveal that the properties of thin gold films are heavily dependent on their structure and average grain size.
Researchers at Imperial College London have created a filter that can switch between reflecting and transmitting light by fine-tuning the distance between nanoparticles in a single layer. This development could lead to the creation of special materials with real-time tunable optical properties.
Researchers have discovered that fluorescence in ligand-protected gold nanoclusters is an intrinsic property of the gold particles. The study used Au20 nanoparticles with a tetrahedral structure and found intense fluorescence at a wavelength of 739.2 nanometers, indicating that the metal core is responsible for the phenomenon.
Scientists have discovered that three-dimensional graphene can be tuned to exhibit precise control over its plasmon frequencies through doping, pore size, or molecule attachment. This property may enable the creation of specific chemical sensors and solar cells.
The researchers have developed a new technique to apply precisely controlled silica coatings to quantum dot nanorods, saving time and preserving their optical properties. The approach enables the coating process to be completed in a day, up to 21 times faster than previous methods.
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.
Plant cellulose can self-assemble into wrinkled surfaces that produce striking optical effects, such as iridescence and color changes. The researchers found that the twisting structure of cellulose creates a pattern of parallel ridges that split light into its colored components, producing an iridescent sheen.
Scientists developed a technique to enhance nanoparticle signals using an optical microcavity, achieving near fundamental diffraction limit resolution. This enables the study of individual nanoparticles' optical properties, promising potential breakthroughs in biology, chemistry, and nanoscience.
The study introduces a novel approach to growing nanowires using metal-alloy catalysts, allowing for more control over their light-emitting and electronic properties. By adjusting the concentration of nickel and gold in the catalyst, researchers can precisely manipulate the orientation of the nanowires.
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.
Bending nanomaterials can detach layers from each other, improving control over their electronic and optical properties. This discovery advances research in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics, allowing for more accurate interpretation and tuning of material properties.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a technique to produce large quantities of gold nanorods while controlling their dimensions and optical properties. This allows for the creation of nanorods with tailored aspect ratios, essential for various biomedical applications.
New York University chemists have created an optical evaluation instrument that can assess the viability of displays in consumer and industrial products. The device, developed with Hinds Instruments, uses a complex scheme to modulate and analyze light polarization, enhancing accuracy by encoding properties in intensity changes over time.
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 at the University of Southampton have created an artificial material that can be controlled by electric signals. This breakthrough enables the rapid manipulation of metamaterial building blocks, leading to changes in transmission and reflection characteristics.
UBC chemists create a new model to predict the optical properties of non-conducting ultra-fine particles, which could inform the design of nano-structures and help study cosmic dust formation. The findings have potential applications in remote sensing and drug delivery systems.
Researchers at NC State University create core/shell nanoparticles with gold and silver, as well as alloy nanoparticles, using the 'digestive ripening' technique. This method allows for control over optical properties of the resulting nanoparticles.
Researchers develop scalable devices exhibiting customizable optical properties using a bottom-up approach inspired by nature. The findings showcase potential applications in sensitive sensors, detectors, and invisibility cloaks, and demonstrate the possibility of manipulating artificial molecules to create desired optical properties.
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 at NIST made precise measurements of nanotube concentrations for transparent conducting sheets, revealing the importance of uniform length for high-performance films. The study validated one theory, showing that longer nanotubes become electrically conducting at lower concentrations.
Researchers at Arizona State University have made a breakthrough in understanding the effect of brown carbon on climate change by developing a novel technique to measure its optical properties. This discovery could lead to more accurate forecasting of global warming activity, as current models often overlook this key component.