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Humidity-resistant hydrogen sensor can improve safety in large-scale clean energy

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a compact, humidity-tolerant sensor that detects hydrogen gas in humid environments. The sensor uses platinum nanoparticles to measure the concentration of hydrogen by analyzing the thickness of a water film on its surface.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalACS Sensors·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2026

2D devices have hidden cavities that can modify electronic behavior

Using a new terahertz spectroscopic technique, researchers have revealed that tiny stacks of 2D materials can naturally form cavities, confining light and electrons in even tinier spaces. This discovery could help control quantum phases and ultimately harness them for future quantum technologies.

SourceColumbia University·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 20, 2025

Ballistic electrons chart a new course for next-gen terahertz devices

Researchers propose a new method for manipulating light using the geometry of matter, generating second-harmonic signals at much lower intensities than traditional methods. The team's design guidelines offer practical solutions for building nanoscale terahertz devices without applied voltage.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 27, 2025

Major step for flat and adjustable optics

Scientists at Linköping University have made a significant breakthrough in creating controllable flat optics using nanostructures on a flat surface. By precisely controlling the distance between antennas, they achieved up to tenfold improvement in performance, opening up new avenues for applications such as video holograms and biomedic...

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 21, 2025
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 record ultrafast chorus dance of electrons on super-small particle

Researchers observed electrons dancing in unison around a particle less than a nanometer in diameter, achieving unprecedented precision. This breakthrough enables the study of plasmonic resonance at sub-nanometer scales, potentially leading to novel applications and enhanced efficiency in existing technologies.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 18, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Molecular jackhammers’ ‘good vibrations’ eradicate cancer cells

Researchers develop molecular jackhammers that use aminocyanine molecules to create plasmons, which rupture melanoma cell membranes with high efficiency. The method showed a 99% success rate against lab cultures of human melanoma cells and cured half of the mice with melanoma tumors.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2023

NEHO: developing an artificial neuron based on semiconductor technology

The NEHO project aims to create ultrafast and energy-efficient information processing systems using photonics and semiconductor technology. By leveraging nonlinear photon-plasmon interactions, researchers hope to revolutionize information processing with faster, more efficient, and flexible technologies.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2023

Researchers realize remote tuning of lifetime of coupled dirac plasmons

Researchers have enabled remote tuning of coupled Dirac plasmon excitations in graphene by designing an additional damping pathway through adjusting the Fermi energy level. The results provide fresh concepts for active control of other quasiparticle lifetimes and applications in nanophotonics.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 30, 2022

Harnessing the powers of light to operate computers

Scientists at the University of Tsukuba have created a nanocavity in a waveguide that selectively modifies short light pulses, enabling the development of ultrafast optical pulse shaping. This breakthrough may lead to the creation of new all-optical computers that operate based on light.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalNanophotonics·DateApr 28, 2022
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Nanomodulators of light on optical micro-probes to study the brain

An international research team developed nanometric light modulators to study neuronal tissue in deep brain regions. The new approach enables the creation of minimally invasive neural probes that can be used to study specific brain diseases, including brain tumors and epilepsy.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2022

Twisted bilayer graphene dances with light

Researchers have discovered that twisted bilayer graphene can guide and control light at the nanometer scale due to its unique interaction with collective electron movements. This property enables the material to be used as a platform for optical sensing of gases and bio-molecules.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 29, 2021

Researchers discover new limit of trapping light at the nanoscale

Physicists have established a fundamental limitation of light confinement in nano-scale systems, with a critical dimension threshold of around 250nm. This discovery has implications for various fields such as material science and quantum technologies.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021
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.

USTC develops ultrahigh-performance plasmonic metal-oxide materials

The study creates a new metal-like semiconductor material with excellent plasmonic resonance performance using an electron-proton co-doping strategy. The material achieves a metal-like ultrahigh free-carrier concentration, leading to strong and tunable plasmonic fields.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 8, 2021

Optical imaging enters sub-nanometer era

Researchers at USTC achieved sub-molecular resolution in single-molecule Raman spectroscopy imaging and photoluminescence imaging. They demonstrated the effects of local plasmon-exciton interaction on fluorescence intensity, peak position and peak width on the sub-nanometer scale.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 27, 2020

Physicists obtain molecular 'fingerprints' using plasmons

Researchers have developed a new technique using V-shaped graphene-metal film structures to study the properties of individual organic molecules and nanolayers. The approach relies on plasmon localization, which enables the team to focus on the sample and register a response from several molecules or even a single large molecule like DNA.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNanophotonics·DateJun 25, 2020

Smallest cavity for light realized by graphene plasmons

Researchers at ICFO have successfully built a new type of cavity for graphene plasmons, enabling the confinement of light in the smallest volume ever achieved. This breakthrough has promising implications for molecular and biological sensing technologies.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalScience·DateJun 11, 2020
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.

Making quantum 'waves' in ultrathin materials

Scientists have observed long-lived plasmons in a new class of conducting transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) called quasi 2D crystals. The study reveals that these plasmons could enhance light intensity by more than 10 million times, opening the door for renewable chemistry and electronic materials controlled by light.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 14, 2020

Creating switchable plasmons in plastics

Scientists at Linköping University develop optical nanoantennas made from a conducting polymer, allowing for controllable nano-optical components. The antennas react to light and can be switched on and off, making them suitable for applications such as smart windows.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 9, 2019
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Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Light may magnetise non-magnetic metals, propose physicists

Researchers from NTU Singapore and Niels Bohr Institute devise method to create magnetism in non-magnetic metallic disks using linearly polarised light. They found that intense plasmonic oscillating electric fields can modify the dynamics of electrons in the metal, leading to spontaneous magnetisation.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 29, 2019

New T-wave detector uses waves of the electronic sea in graphene

Researchers created a graphene-based terahertz detector that detects waves, enabling faster Wi-Fi and new medical diagnostic methods. The detector uses plasmons to detect terahertz radiation, overcoming the issue of wave resonance.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2018

Plasmons triggered in nanotube quantum wells

Scientists at Rice University and Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a novel way to manipulate light at the quantum scale by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as plasmonic quantum confinement fields. The discovery could lead to the development of unique lasers and other optoelectronic devices.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 16, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Physicists have learned to change the wavelength of Tamm plasmons

Researchers from Siberian Federal University and L. V. Kirensky Institute of Physics predicted the structure to control Tamm plasmon wavelength using external fields or heating. They achieved a hybrid Tamm plasmon by incorporating a liquid crystal layer in a multilayer mirror, enabling color change through heating or electrification.

SourceSiberian Federal University·JournalJournal of the Optical Society of America B·DateJan 24, 2018

Ultra-compact phase modulators based on graphene plasmons

Researchers at ICFO have developed a phase modulator using graphene plasmons, enabling ultra-compact light modulation with a device footprint of only 350 nm. The discovery has potential applications for on-chip biosensing and two-dimensional transformation optics.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 26, 2017

NUS-led research teams uncover extraordinary properties of strontium niobate

Researchers from the National University of Singapore have discovered novel properties of strontium niobate, a material that displays both metallic type conduction and photocatalytic activity. The material exhibits an intrinsic plasmonic absorption, allowing it to absorb visible photons, which is exceptional among metals.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 15, 2017
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

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Graphene plasmons reach the infrared

Researchers at Technical University of Denmark have demonstrated efficient absorption enhancement at a wavelength of 2 micrometers by graphene plasmons. This breakthrough brings graphene into the regime of telecommunication applications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateNov 14, 2016

On-chip observation of THz graphene plasmons

Scientists developed a technique to image THz photocurrents with nanoscale resolution, visualizing strongly compressed THz waves in a graphene photodetector. The imaging technique, called THz photocurrent nanoscopy, provides unprecedented possibilities for characterizing optoelectronic properties at THz frequencies.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 4, 2016
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.

Nanolight at the edge

Graphene-based technologies enable ultra-small optical nanodevices by capturing light in record-small volumes. The researchers identified two types of plasmons - edge and sheet modes - with unique properties that can channel electromagnetic energy in one dimension.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 21, 2016

Using plasmonics to transmit more data

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new scheme using plasmonics to control infrared plasmons, enabling fast transmission of massive data. By modulating light signals in the near-infrared wavelength region, they can potentially switch signals in optical fibers with high speeds.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 22, 2016

Some like it hot: Simulating single particle excitations

Berkeley Lab researchers model hot carrier movement in real-time, distinguishing between plasmon and single particle excitation behaviors. The study shows that 90% of plasmon energy can be converted to single particle energy when excitations are in tune.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 17, 2015
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.

'Magic' sphere for information transfer

Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University develop a sphere that manipulates electromagnetic radiation on scales shorter than its wavelength, enabling faster photonic devices. The sphere's interaction with light produces a resonance similar to plasmonics, but with weaker damping, making it suitable for various applications.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 21, 2015

Graphene plasmons go ballistic

Researchers at ICFO have discovered a material system that enables highly confined low-loss plasmons in graphene-boron nitride heterostructures, allowing for efficient optical sensing and computing. This breakthrough paves the way for extremely miniaturized optical circuits and devices.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 12, 2015
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.

Opening a wide window on the nano-world of surface catalysis

Researchers bridge the size gap to study kinetic behavior of Ag nanocatalysts using SERS, providing real-time reaction information. The stepped surface of etched nanoparticles mimics sub-5-nm environment, increasing active surface atoms' participation in catalysis.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 6, 2014

Flatland optics with graphene

Researchers successfully trapped and controlled light using graphene-based optical antennas, demonstrating the fundamental principles of conventional optics. The discovery paves the way for the development of compact and faster photonic devices and circuits, which could revolutionize signal processing and computing.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalScience·DateMay 23, 2014

Researcher aids understanding of collective excitations in MoS2

A researcher has studied the coupling of plasmon and dipolar collective modes in a monolayer of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a promising two-dimensional material. The investigation reveals that these collective excitations play a key role in describing many-body quantum systems, with potential applications.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalModern Physics Letters B·DateMay 20, 2014
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.

Taming light with graphene

Scientists visualize the trapping and confinement of light on graphene, making it a promising candidate for optical information processing. Graphene plasmons can be used to electrically control light, enabling new optical switches and applications in medicine, bio-detection, solar cells, and quantum information processing.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2012

A whole new light on graphene metamaterials

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have demonstrated a microscale device made of graphene that can tune its response to light at terahertz frequencies with exquisite precision. The device uses an array of graphene ribbons to control collective oscillations of electrons, or plasmons, which absorb different frequencies of light.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 4, 2011

Measurement of 'hot' electrons could have solar energy payoff

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new technology that could dramatically improve solar energy panels by merging nanoscale antennas with semiconductors. This technique allows the capture of infrared light's energy, which is currently unable to be converted into electricity in silicon-based solar cells.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateMay 5, 2011
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.