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Inequalities grow in cities as heat and daylight patterns transform urban life

Researchers from the University of East Anglia examine how heat and daylight patterns transform urban life, highlighting unequal impacts on social groups. They emphasize the need for urban planning to consider bodily and temporal perspectives, integrating social justice considerations into climate adaptation efforts.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalUrban Studies·DateJul 28, 2026

IBEC-led consortium develops light-activated drugs that restore sight in blind mice

A new class of photoswitchable small molecule drugs has been developed to restore key visual functions in animal models of blindness. These compounds mimic the function of photoreceptor cells and show remarkable effectiveness at restoring sight using a simple and potentially patient-friendly approach.

SourceInstitute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Transparent nanosheets open the door to smaller, higher-resolution optical sensors

Researchers developed gallium-doped zinc oxide nanosheets that can detect red, green, and blue light while remaining nearly transparent. These nanosheets enabled the detection of full-color images with half the error of conventional cameras, making them suitable for demanding environments like space hardware and automotive systems.

SourceNagoya University·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2026

Rayleigh-driven ethanol cluster inference based on non-contact optical sensing and deep learning

Researchers developed a non-contact optical sensing strategy to detect ethanol molecules in air using light-field distortions and deep learning. The system employs a graphene-based Fresnel lens to focus light through interference, capturing minute changes in the focal spot formed by the lens.

SourceEditorial Office of Opto-Electronic Journals Group·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2026

Scientists discover surprising new way to control light

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have discovered that light can be programmed using its natural geometry, allowing for the creation of structured light with unique properties. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for fields such as medicine, data transmission, and quantum technologies.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2026

Shrinking the carbon footprint of chemical manufacturing with lasers, solar radiation

Researchers at University of Illinois have developed a new method using solar energy to power a key chemical reaction in the textile, plastic, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. This method can significantly reduce the industry's carbon footprint by eliminating harsh oxidizing byproducts and minimizing carbon emissions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2026

Algae and water fleas in lakes: Light color influences food webs

A recent study found that light color affects phytoplankton growth and nutrient cycling in lake ecosystems. The researchers discovered that the less light available to microalgae, the more important the color of light became for their growth.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalJournal of Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2025
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.

Doubling down on metasurfaces

A new bilayer metasurface, made of two stacked layers of titanium dioxide nanostructures, has been created by Harvard researchers. This device can precisely control the behavior of light, including polarization, and opens up a new avenue for metasurfaces.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2025

Terahertz wave control for enhanced wireless and biomedical technology

The device enables precise control over terahertz wave polarization, revolutionizing applications such as data transmission, imaging, and sensing. This innovation promises to transform fields like wireless communication and biomedical imaging.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMar 24, 2025
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Complete breakdown of Plexiglas into its building blocks

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a groundbreaking method to recycle Plexiglas by breaking down polymer chains into individual monomer building blocks. The process relies on a chlorinated solvent and UV light, with yields of up to 98% even in multicoloured samples.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateMar 3, 2025

Hybrid transparent electrodes enhance efficiency and longevity of perovskite solar cells

Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology developed bifacial perovskite solar cells with a novel NiO/Ag/NiO transparent electrode, achieving high efficiency, durability, and infrared transparency. The cells demonstrated impressive power conversion efficiencies and high bifaciality factors.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateFeb 20, 2025

Revolutionizing energy-efficient smart windows: A flexible dual-band electrochromic device with energy storage

Researchers have developed a flexible dual-band electrochromic device that integrates energy storage, reducing building energy consumption. The device offers excellent performance in various climate zones, providing substantial energy savings through selective modulation of light and heat across multiple wavelengths.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2025
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.

Temperamental stars are distorting our view of distant planets

A new study found that hotter and colder regions on a star's surface can distort our interpretations of planets, particularly when looking at dips in starlight. This distortion can lead to misinterpretation of features such as planet size, temperature, and atmospheric composition.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateFeb 7, 2025

Chung-Ang University achieves dual-purpose breakthrough: Turning water into electricity while detecting fires

Researchers at Chung-Ang University have developed a novel hydrovoltaic device that can produce up to a few tens of microwatts and responds quickly to evaporation-driven changes in water flow, making it suitable for fire detection. The device also exhibits excellent stability over extended periods.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 22, 2025

The art and science of twisting light

A team of researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design has developed a new type of metasurface that can generate circularly polarized light without complex optical setups. The metasurface exhibits chirality, enabling it to convert arbitrary optical excitation into circularly polarized light at specific frequency ranges.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 17, 2025

Red light linked to lowered risk of blood clots

Research led by University of Pittsburgh scientists found that exposure to long-wavelength red light reduces blood clots in humans and mice. The study's findings have the potential to reduce deaths and disabilities caused by blood clots worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis·DateJan 10, 2025
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.

Shade plants in the spotlight

Researchers discovered that plants in shaded conditions receive a larger proportion of green and far-red light, which contributes to photosynthesis. This finding may help growers develop new methods for supplementing natural sunlight with colored light.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalPlant Cell & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2025

From light sensing to adaptive learning: Reconfigurable memcapacitive devices in neuromorphic computing

A new MOSCap device using Hafnium diselenide replicates neuron-like adaptive behavior and memory retention, enabling faster data processing and adaptive capabilities. The device maintains its data stability under stressing conditions and preserves data after removal of light stimuli.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJan 9, 2025

Innovative smart window technology balances heat and visibility control

A new smart window technology combines liquid crystals with nanoporous microparticles and a patterned vanadium dioxide layer to simultaneously control visible light and infrared radiation. The device offers fast, efficient heat and visibility management, marking a significant step forward in energy-efficient building design.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJan 9, 2025

Achieving bone regeneration and adhesion with harmless visible light

Researchers at POSTECH developed an innovative injectable adhesive hydrogel that regenerates bone using harmless visible light. The hydrogel addresses limitations of existing treatments by simultaneously achieving cross-linking and mineralization without separate bone grafts or adhesives.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalBiomaterials·DateDec 30, 2024

Smallest walking robot makes microscale measurements

The team's achievement marks a significant advance in robotics, allowing for maneuverable robots that can perform up-close imaging and measure forces at the scale of some body's smallest structures. The new diffractive robots are tiny, measuring 5 microns to 2 microns, and can be controlled by magnetic fields to move independently.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateDec 2, 2024
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.

Brighter and more efficient LEDs that don’t droop

A team of researchers at Nagoya University has developed a way to make LEDs brighter while maintaining their efficiency. By tilting the InGaN layers and cutting the wafer into different orientations, they have found that LEDs with lower polarization but in the same direction as standard LEDs show greater efficiency at higher power.

SourceNagoya University·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·DateNov 25, 2024

Key to the invisible world found. ICTER scientists decipher two-photon vision

Researchers developed a method to measure the brightness of two-photon stimuli using photometric units, enabling the quantification of perceived brightness. The study found that two-photon retinal illumination can reach almost 670 cd/m² in safe laser power ranges.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateNov 4, 2024

The power of small: Metalenses for compact ultrafast imaging systems

Compressed Ultra-Compact Femtosecond Photography (CUF) uses a super-dispersive metalens to capture transient events in a single image, overcoming conventional CUP technology's limitations. The system achieves ultrafast imaging at hundreds of trillions of frames per second with improved compactness and reliability.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·DateOct 25, 2024

Dynamic gas sensing with blue μLED-activated SnO2 nanoparticles: A real-time tunable detection platform

The study introduces a novel dynamic gas sensing platform using blue μLED-activated SnO2 nanoparticles, exhibiting excellent sensitivity, tunable selectivity, and rapid detection. The system can distinguish various gases under light illumination, contributing to healthier living environments.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2024
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.

Visible light energy yields two-for-one deal when added to CO2 recycling process

Combining visible light with electrochemistry improves CO2 conversion rates and selectivity, enabling the production of valuable products such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The study's findings have significant implications for catalysis research and industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2024

Now live: Living cells can be seen with infrared light

Researchers at NIST have developed a new method to measure biomolecules in live cells using infrared light, removing water's obscuring effects. This allows for the determination of key biomolecules like proteins and their amounts in cells, speeding up advances in biomanufacturing and cell therapy development.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateSep 9, 2024

Seeing like a butterfly: Optical invention enhances camera capabilities

Researchers developed an ultrathin optical element that attaches to conventional cameras, encoding spectral and polarization data. The metasurface enables the capture of both types of imaging data simultaneously, transmitting it immediately to a computer for real-time decoding by machine learning frameworks.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2024

SNU researchers develop ultra-high efficiency next-generation perovskite light-emitting diodes by strengthening perovskite lattice

Researchers at Seoul National University developed ultra-high efficiency perovskite nanocrystal LEDs by incorporating conjugated molecular multipods to strengthen the lattice and reduce dynamic disorder, leading to improved luminescence efficiency. This achievement is expected to significantly accelerate the commercialization of next-g...

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2024
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.

Innovative method for 3D quantitative phase imaging

Researchers at UCLA have developed a wavelength-multiplexed diffractive optical processor that enables all-optical multiplane quantitative phase imaging. This approach allows for rapid and efficient imaging of specimens across multiple axial planes without the need for digital phase recovery algorithms.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 26, 2024

A promising new method uses light to clean up forever chemicals

Researchers at Ritsumeikan University propose a room-temperature defluorination method that uses visible light to break down PFAS and other fluorinated polymers into fluorine ions. The method achieved 100% defluorination of perfluorooctanesulfonate within 8 hours of light exposure.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2024
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.

Novel method enhances size-controlled production of luminescent quantum dots

Researchers at the University of São Paulo developed a novel approach to monitoring quantum dot formation, enabling real-time control over nanoparticle growth and precise emission color. This technique has several advantages over conventional synthesis strategies, including reduced waste and improved equipment efficiency.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 2, 2024

Novel photodynamic therapy method can eradicate ocular melanoma, study shows

A new photodynamic therapy method has been shown to effectively eradicate ocular melanoma in mice, with the technique delivering two photons and minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The approach offers a promising alternative to current treatments that are often ineffective or invasive.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Turning infrared light visible

The Indian Institute of Science has fabricated a device to up-convert short infrared light to the visible range, utilizing a non-linear optical mirror stack made of gallium selenide. This innovation has diverse applications in defence and optical communications, including astronomy and chemistry.

SourceIndian Institute of Science (IISc)·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·DateJun 20, 2024

The nanotechnological revolution requires standardized ‘screws’ – here is a way to measure them

Scientists at the University of Bath discovered a new nonlinear optical property that measures the twist in tiny particles, similar to viruses and bacteria. This finding enables real-time particle size analysis and has significant implications for various fields like display technology, chemical catalysis, and medicine.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2024
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.

Researchers demonstrate the first chip-based 3D printer

The researchers developed a single millimeter-scale photonic chip that emits reconfigurable beams of light into a well of resin, curing into a solid shape when exposed to the beam's wavelength. Shapes can be fully formed in a matter of seconds using this chip-based 3D printer.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJun 10, 2024

Keeping the lights on

A study published in Applied Physics Letters reveals that decreasing carbon concentration can increase the amount of light emitted from GaN crystals. The researchers found a threshold concentration above which carbon atoms become a significant factor in dissipating energy, leading to improved internal quantum efficiency.

SourceOsaka University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

Development of revolutionary color-tunable photonic devices

A team at Pohang University of Science & Technology has developed a novel stretchable photonic device that can control light wavelengths in all directions. The device leverages structural colors produced through the interaction of light with microscopic nanostructures, allowing for vivid and diverse color displays.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJun 3, 2024
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.

Novel organic photoredox catalysts with enhanced stability and recyclability

A team of researchers from Okayama University developed a novel phenothiazine-based organic photoredox catalyst with enhanced stability and recyclability. The new catalyst, PTHS, features a spiral structure that provides improved stability and can be recycled multiple times without losing catalytic activity.

SourceOkayama University·JournalChemical Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2024

Discover optimal conditions for mass production of ultraviolet holograms

The study found that an 80% concentration of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and specific solvents leads to the highest pattern transfer efficiency. The conversion efficiency reaches impressive levels in the ultraviolet spectrum, paving the way for commercial viability of metasurfaces.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·DateMay 9, 2024

How light can vaporize water without the need for heat

MIT researchers demonstrate that light can break water molecules away from the surface and float them into the air, causing evaporation in the absence of heat. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding cloud formation and precipitation, as well as designing new industrial processes such as solar-powered desalination.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2024
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.

A better view with new mid-infrared nanoscopy

A team at the University of Tokyo has constructed an improved mid-infrared microscope that enables them to see the structures inside living bacteria at the nanometer scale with a resolution of 120 nanometers. This breakthrough can aid multiple fields of research, including into infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2024

Sunrise to sunset, new window coating blocks heat — not view

A new window coating developed by the University of Notre Dame's Tengfei Luo and his team maintains functionality and efficiency regardless of the sun's position in the sky. The coating reduces air-conditioning cooling costs by more than one-third in hot climates.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateApr 2, 2024

Can metalens be commercialized at a fraction of the cost?

Researchers have developed two innovative methods for mass-producing metalenses, reducing production costs by up to 1,000 times. The team achieved successful creation of large-scale infrared metalenses with high resolution and exceptional light-collecting capabilities.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·DateMar 27, 2024

Polarization-sensitive tomography made easy with T2oFu

The T2oFu method offers a new approach to quantitative phase and polarization-sensitive tomography, enabling high-contrast images of muscle fibers with implications for diagnosing skeletal myopathies. The technique has been successfully tested on heart tissue samples with cardiac amyloidosis, providing promising results.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMar 13, 2024
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.

Lighting the way to noninvasive blood glucose monitoring using portable devices

A novel approach estimates metabolic activity and infers blood glucose levels from near-infrared measurements in commercial smartphones and smartwatches. The phase delay between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin signals closely relates to oxygen consumption during cardiac cycles, serving as a gauge for metabolism.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateMar 8, 2024

Metal in glitter impairs aquatic plant growth, study shows

A study found that glitter's metal coating reduces light penetration, impairing photosynthesis of Large-flowered waterweed Egeria densa and affecting aquatic plant growth. The experiment showed a significant decrease in photosynthesis rates with the presence of glitter, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNew Zealand Journal of Botany·DateFeb 26, 2024

Red light can reduce blood glucose levels, says study

A study found that 670 nanometres of red light stimulated energy production within mitochondria, leading to increased glucose consumption and a 27.7% reduction in blood glucose levels. This non-invasive technique has the potential to impact diabetes control by reducing damaging fluctuations of blood glucose.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalJournal of Biophotonics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 20, 2024

A new optical metamaterial makes true one-way glass possible

Researchers at Aalto University have developed an optical metamaterial that enables the creation of truly one-way glass, opening up new applications for industries. The metamaterial harnesses the nonreciprocal magnetoelectric effect to control light transmission in both directions.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2024
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.