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Making sturdy, semi-transparent wood with cheap, natural materials

Researchers have successfully created semi-transparent wooden slices that are durable and flexible by modifying the natural structure of wood using natural materials. The new material has potential applications as an energy-efficient alternative to glass in windows, and could also be used in wearable sensors or solar cell coatings.

To build better fiber optic cables, ask a clam

Researchers discovered that heart cockle shells have translucent areas with hair-thin strands that deliver specific wavelengths of light into the bivalves' tissues. This natural system filters out bad wavelengths and channels in optimal wavelengths for photosynthesis, benefiting the clams' symbiotic algae.

Great apes and theory of mind

A recent study suggests that great apes possess theory of mind, demonstrated by their ability to anticipate an agent's action based on past experience. The findings indicate that these animals can use perceptual cues to infer another agent's belief about an object's location.

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.

New tech delivers high-tech film that blocks electromagnetic interference

Researchers have developed flexible, semi-transparent films that block electromagnetic interference while allowing light to pass through. The films, made from a combination of carbon nanotubes and MXene, demonstrate high strength, flexibility, and conductivity, making them suitable for use in devices with display screens.

Fighting forgery with paper fingerprints

Researchers from Newcastle University have found an inexpensive and easy way to validate the authenticity of ANY paper document by taking a picture with a standard camera. The unique 'texture' fingerprint for every sheet of paper can be identified and verified with 100% accuracy, making it highly reliable even under rough handling.

New packaging advances prolongs veggie freshness

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new packaging method that enhances the safety and quality of onions, one of the highest-volume vegetables sold worldwide. The package and sanitizer combination led to diced onions being acceptable for purchase after two weeks of storage.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Look at me! Forest-dwelling anoles 'glow' to attract attention

A new study found that male anole lizards' glowing dewlaps make their visual signals easier to detect by females in shaded habitats. The translucent coloration allows light to pass through, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and making the lizard's colors more conspicuous against a visually noisy background.

A mollusk of a different stripe

Researchers identified two optical structures in a mollusk's shell that reflect blue light, producing its bright stripes. The team believes this natural phenomenon could lead to the development of color-selective, controllable displays for windows and glasses.

Graphene displays clear prospects for flexible electronics

Researchers at University of Manchester and University of Sheffield create see-through and efficient electronic devices using graphene and related materials. The new technology enables the creation of light-emitting devices that are incredibly thin, flexible, durable, and semi-transparent.

Through the combining glass

Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a system that combines semi-transparent mirrors with display technologies, enabling unique interactive experiences. By using reflections and projections, visitors can engage with exhibits in new ways, such as trying on clothes or exploring dark objects, in museums and shop windows.

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.

Curtains that 'quench' noise

Researchers from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a new curtain fabric that is lightweight yet absorbs sound. The new textiles absorb five times more sound than conventional translucent curtains, making them suitable for various rooms such as offices and auditoriums.

Subsurface scattering in point-based rendering

A new framework for rendering subsurface scattering on surfaces represented by points is introduced, providing a significant improvement in transparency and realism for translucent materials. The method uses two additional computation passes to simulate the light diffusion phenomenon inside multilayered materials.

New 'bumpy' jelly found in deep sea

Researchers have discovered a new deep-sea jelly, Stellamedusa ventana, which uses its bell and oral arms to capture prey. The jelly's unique feeding strategy is unlike other species, as it prefers larger prey, with some individuals capturing creatures up to 5 cm across.

New way to make realistic shadows for computer images, animation

Engineers at Ohio State University have developed a new software algorithm that models translucent objects and fluids to create soft, realistic shadows. The algorithm, called splatting, uses volume elements and 2D footprints to generate accurate shadows with minimal data storage requirements.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Sonic flashlight' gives users a new form of ultrasonic vision

A biomedical engineer has developed a 'sonic flashlight' that combines ultrasound images with the patient's natural appearance, enabling doctors to guide procedures without looking away. This technology could improve hand-eye coordination and reduce learning curves for radiologists.