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Laser-driving a 2D material

Researchers at Columbia University paired laser light with crystal lattice vibrations to boost the nonlinear optical properties of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a stable 2D material. The team achieved over a 30-fold increase in third-harmonic generation, generating new frequencies and efficiently producing optical signals.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 22, 2023

New cooling ceramic can enhance energy efficiency for the construction sector and help combat global warming—City University of Hong Kong research

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a passive radiative cooling material that achieves high-performance optical properties. The cooling ceramic reduces thermal load, provides stable cooling performance, and can be used in various building applications.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023
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.

Atomic dance gives rise to a magnet

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to transform a rare-earth crystal into a magnet by using chirality in phonons. Chirality, or the twisting of atoms' motion, breaks time-reversal symmetry and aligns electron spins, creating a magnetic effect.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2023

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.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 23, 2023

Move over carbon, the nanotube family just got bigger

Researchers have engineered a range of new single-walled transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanotubes with different compositions, chirality, and diameters. The ability to synthesize diverse structures offers insights into their growth mechanism and novel optical properties.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 14, 2023

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.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAccounts of Chemical Research·TypeNews article·DateSep 28, 2023

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.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateAug 30, 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.

Texas A&M's McKay receives NSF CAREER Award

Dr. McKay will investigate the chemical composition of chromophores in DOM using advanced analytical tools and conduct measurements at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. His research aims to enhance predictions regarding DOM behavior and reactivity in the environment.

SourceTexas A&M University·DateAug 8, 2023

Helical and striped arrangement of conducting polymers

Researchers have created a new type of conducting polymer with a helically grown structure, which can emit circularly polarized light. The polymer's radicals are arranged in a helical shape and can be aligned into stripe-like structures when exposed to a magnetic field.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalMaterials Advances·DateAug 8, 2023

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.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2023

Liquid crystals that mimic beetle shell coloration units used to create more secure type of QR code

Researchers at Nagoya University developed a method to process cholesteric liquid crystals into micrometer-sized spherical particles, creating a unique anti-counterfeiting QR code that can only be displayed under a specific circular polarizer. The use of chirality in these particles enables the creation of more secure codes with potent...

SourceNagoya University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateJul 14, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Room-temperature, solid-state synthesis of high-quality Cs3Cu2I5 thin films

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have successfully synthesized high-quality Cs3Cu2I5 thin films using a novel solid-state synthesis method. The team discovered that depositing CuI and CsI layers in specific ratios results in distinct local structures containing point defects, leading to highly efficient emissions.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2023

Melts in the light, not in your hand: novel crystal compound melts under ultraviolet light

Researchers from Osaka University discovered a novel material that transitions from a crystal to a liquid when exposed to ultraviolet irradiation, enabling a detailed understanding of the crystal-melting process. The material exhibits changes in luminescence during melting, indicating molecular-level changes in shape.

SourceOsaka University·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2023

Colloids get creative to pave the way for next generation photonics

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 9, 2023

Mix and match: A new platform for the design of multipigment optical phantoms

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.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateFeb 21, 2023
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.

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

Tunable single-mode lasing on a high-Q resonator

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.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 20, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Technique allows researchers to align gold nanorods with magnetic fields

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 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

In Einstein’s footsteps and beyond

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.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateApr 27, 2022

Quantum ‘shock absorbers’ allow perovskite to exhibit superfluorescence at room temperature

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022
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.

Graphene gets enhanced by flashing

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.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

Researchers create a sea of nano-sized gold stars

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.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 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

NGI uses twist to engineer 2D semiconductors with built-in memory functions

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.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 3, 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.

Tiny probes could sail to outer planets with the help of low-power lasers

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 23, 2022

A new amplifying technique for weak and noisy signals

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.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalOptica·DateFeb 2, 2022

Black carbon and aerosol optical properties in Beijing changed due to Clean Air Action

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.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateJan 26, 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.

Pusan National University study “cracks” mystery of water-promoted fracture growth on glass

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.

SourcePusan National University·JournalJournal of the European Ceramic Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2022

Optical sensing for orthopedic surgery

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.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJan 6, 2022

A pair of gold flakes creates a self-assembled resonator

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.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2021

Simple silicon coating solves long-standing optical challenge

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.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 11, 2021

Lung model proves viability of spectroscopy technique

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.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2021
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.

Capturing light: New ergonomic photodetector for the trillion-sensor era

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.

SourceIncheon National University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2021

New opportunities for light-powered battery and fuel cell design

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.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalApplied Materials Today·DateSep 8, 2021

Plasmon-coupled gold nanoparticles useful for thermal history sensing

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateMar 26, 2021

Object transparency reduces human perception of three-dimensional shapes

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.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·Journali-Perception·DateFeb 10, 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.

Science snapshots from Berkeley Lab

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateDec 2, 2020

Strain engineering of 2D semiconductor and graphene

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.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateNov 23, 2020

Breakthrough in research on production of 2D crystals with excellent optical properties

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.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 20, 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.

Solar power plants get help from satellites to predict cloud cover

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.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateApr 14, 2020

Optical vacuum cleaner can manipulate nanoparticles

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.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 10, 2019

Steven G. Ackleson selected as Fellow of The Oceanography Society

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.

SourceThe Oceanography Society·DateMay 28, 2019
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.

Close Cassini flybys of Saturn's ring moons

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.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMar 28, 2019

Supercomputer predicts optical properties of complex hybrid materials

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 8, 2018

Transition metal dichalcogenides could increase computer speed, memory by a million times

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.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateOct 2, 2018
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.

UV narrow-band photodetector based on indium oxide nanocrystals

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.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalNanotechnology·DateJul 5, 2018

Scientists explain the impacts of aerosol radiative forcing

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.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2018

MIPT scientists revisit optical constants of ultrathin gold films

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.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 17, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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