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.
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
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.
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
Researchers have uncovered a high-quality jadeite tool with an intact rosewood handle at an ancient salt processing site in Belize. The discovery highlights the significance of salt and Maya salt workers in the Classic Maya marketplace economy over 1,000 years ago.
SourceLouisiana State University·JournalAntiquity·DateMay 20, 2019
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.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a method for fabricating semitransparent and flexible solar cells using transition metal dichalcogenides. The new technology improves power conversion efficiency up to 0.7%, making it the highest value reported with few-layered materials.
SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 25, 2017
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
A new species of translucent snail was found at a depth of 980m in the Lukina Jama–Trojama cave system in Croatia. The species, Zospeum tholussum, is a miniature and fragile snail with a beautifully shaped dome-like shell.
SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalSubterranean Biology·DateSep 10, 2013
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
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
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.
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
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