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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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 26, 2025

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 2, 2024

Windows will soon generate electricity, following solar cell breakthrough

Researchers have created next-gen perovskite solar cells that generate electricity while allowing light to pass through, transforming windows into active power generators. Two square meters of solar window can produce the same amount of electricity as a standard rooftop solar panel.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalNano Energy·DateApr 22, 2020
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.

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 30, 2019

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.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateNov 1, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalACM Transactions on Information and System Security·DateMay 24, 2017

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.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalInternational Journal of Food Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2016
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateAug 14, 2015

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 2, 2015
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·DateOct 6, 2014

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.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·DateMay 3, 2011

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.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Information Sciences·DateNov 29, 2010

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.

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·JournalJournal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom·DateFeb 3, 2004
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.

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·DateJun 17, 2003

'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.

SourceWhitaker Foundation·JournalJournal of Ultrasound in Medicine·DateDec 6, 2001