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System to image the human eye corrects for chromatic aberrations

A new imaging system cancels chromatic optical aberrations in individual eyes, allowing for precise assessment of vision and eye health. The technology provides the first objective measurement of longitudinal chromatic aberrations (LCA), which could lead to insights into visual halos, glare, and color perception.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateAug 1, 2019

Scientists film molecular rotation

Researchers at DESY used precisely tuned laser light to capture the ultrafast rotation of carbonyl sulphide molecules, revealing the intricate dance of quantum mechanics. The resulting 'molecular movie' provides new insights into molecular dynamics and has potential applications for studying other molecules and processes.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2019
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.

US Naval Research Laboratory 'connects the dots' for quantum networks

Researchers at US Naval Research Laboratory developed a new technique that enables precise control over quantum dot wavelengths, paving the way for breakthroughs in quantum information technologies and brain-inspired computing. This achievement could lead to new technologies that harness the strange properties of quantum physics for co...

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 9, 2019

Shell increases versatility of nanowires

Researchers at HZDR have developed nanowires with tunable shells, enabling them to operate over a wide energy range. This breakthrough increases the potential of nanowires for various applications, including LEDs and solar cells.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 26, 2019

UTA working to develop longwave infrared photonic device technology

A UTA research team is working with the Army Research Laboratory to develop nanophotonic devices that can capture and release light in the longwave infrared spectral region. These devices have potential applications in thermal imaging, medical diagnostics, chemical analyses, and environmental monitoring.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateJun 21, 2019

Laser trick produces high-energy terahertz pulses

Researchers at DESY and the University of Hamburg achieved an important milestone in compact particle accelerator development. They produced high-energy terahertz pulses using ultra-powerful laser pulses, paving the way for new applications in fields like particle physics and nanomaterials research.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 13, 2019
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.

New record: 3D-printed optical-electronic integration

Researchers have successfully integrated optoelectronics into three-dimensional (3D) structures using femtosecond laser direct writing. The technique allows for the creation of hybrid microlaser modules with selective electric modulation, paving the way for more compact and efficient integrated circuits.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateJun 13, 2019

New type of highly sensitive vision discovered in deep-sea fish

Researchers found that deep-sea fish have expanded rhodopsin genes to detect bioluminescent signals, giving them an evolutionary advantage. The silver spinyfin has the most photopigment genes of any vertebrate, allowing it to detect specific wavelengths of light produced by bioluminescent organisms.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience·DateMay 9, 2019

In vivo super-resolution photoacoustic computed tomography by localization of single dyed droplets

Researchers at Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory created a technique to break the acoustic diffraction limit in PACT by localizing single dyed droplets flowing in blood vessels, achieving six-fold finer resolution. The droplets provide excellent tracers for super-resolution imaging and enable tracking of blood flow speed.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateApr 18, 2019
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Tiny, fast, accurate technology on the radar

Researchers at KAUST have developed a compact radar with short wavelengths to enhance close-range detection capabilities. The device is capable of target detection, speed estimation, and tracking at ranges of up to 12 meters, making it suitable for visually impaired people and unmanned devices.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine·DateApr 18, 2019

SLAC develops novel compact antenna for communicating where radios fail

Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a novel compact antenna that can enable mobile communication in situations where conventional radios fail. The device emits low-frequency radiation with wavelengths of tens to hundreds of miles, allowing it to penetrate environments that block radio waves.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 12, 2019

Pin-sized sensor could bring chemical ID to smartphone-sized devices

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a compact spectrometer that can integrate with smartphone cameras, enabling real-time chemical identification. The device boasts high resolution and low fabrication costs, paving the way for enhanced sensors in various fields.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 9, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Detecting pollution with a compact laser source

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new compact laser source that can detect greenhouse gases and molecules in a person's breath. The system uses a fiber laser combined with a micrometer waveguide chip to generate light waves in the mid-infrared spectrum, retaining 30% of the original signal strength.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 4, 2019

Let's not make big waves

A team of researchers has successfully generated ultra-short spin waves in an astoundingly simple material, opening up new possibilities for the development of spintronics. The achievement uses a magnetic material shaped into circular disks to create spin waves with wavelengths as short as 80 nanometers.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 27, 2019
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.

New method improves infrared imaging performance

A new method developed by Northwestern Engineering's Manijeh Razeghi has greatly reduced image distortion caused by spectral cross-talk in dual-band photodetectors. This work enables high spectral-contrast infrared imaging devices for various applications, including medicine and security.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalIEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics·DateFeb 8, 2019

Engineered light to improve health, food, suggests Sandia researcher in Nature

Researchers suggest engineered light can regulate human health and productivity by eliciting hormonal responses, while tailored LED wavelengths stimulate plant growth and increase nutritional value. The broader integration of LEDs with technology holds potential for significant societal value beyond energy savings.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature·DateJan 16, 2019

From emergence to eruption: Comprehensive model captures life of a solar flare

A team of scientists developed a single, cohesive computer model to simulate the entire life cycle of a solar flare, from energy buildup to explosive release. The comprehensive model captures the formation of tangled magnetic field lines and roiling sunspots, which can impact Earth's power grids, communications networks, and astronauts.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 16, 2019
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.

Overtones can provide faster data communication

The team produced spintronic oscillators that strengthen spin wave signals in several steps, demonstrating a new phenomenon. They showed sharp jumps in frequency from the fundamental tone to much higher frequencies using overtones, paving the way for faster data transmission rates in wireless communication.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2019

A new way to provide cooling without power

Researchers at MIT have devised a new way of providing cooling on a hot sunny day using inexpensive materials and no fossil fuel-generated power. The passive system allows emission of heat at mid-infrared range, radiating into outer space and punching through greenhouse gases.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 28, 2018

Aging a flock of stars in the Wild Duck Cluster

Researchers found that the Wild Duck Cluster's stars are older than initially thought due to their rotational periods, which affect their hydrogen core mixing and lifetime. This discovery sheds light on how stars form and evolve, challenging previous assumptions about open clusters.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 8, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New air-filled fiber bundle could make endoscopes smaller

Researchers have created a new air-filled optical fiber bundle that can improve endoscopes used in medical procedures like minimally invasive surgeries. The technology allows for higher resolution images at double the wavelength range, enabling diagnostic procedures not possible with current endoscope technology.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateOct 24, 2018

Defects promise quantum communication through standard optical fiber

A team of physicists has identified a way to create quantum bits in silicon carbide crystals, emitting photons at wavelengths near those used in data transmission. This breakthrough enables the potential for quantum communication through standard optical fibers, paving the way for superior computing powers and unbreakable cryptography.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·Journalnpj Quantum Information·DateOct 1, 2018
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.

A universe aglow

Astronomers using MUSE instrument on ESO's VLT detected an unexpected abundance of Lyman-alpha emission in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field region, covering nearly the entire field of view. This discovery suggests that almost all of the sky is invisibly glowing with Lyman-alpha emission from the early Universe.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2018

First science with ALMA's highest-frequency capabilities

Astronomers observed water vapor jets streaming away from a protostar, detecting heavy water naturally emitted by water molecules. ALMA also observed a wealth of complex organic molecules surrounding the star-forming region, with over ten times more spectral lines than previous observations.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 17, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

On-chip optical filter processes wide range of light wavelengths

Researchers at MIT have designed an optical filter on a chip that can process optical signals from across an extremely wide spectrum of light. The technology offers greater precision and flexibility for designing photonic devices, studying photons, and other applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2018

Next-generation photodetector camera to deploy during demo mission

The Compact Thermal Imager (CTI) will measure fires, ice sheets, glaciers, and snow surface temperatures while also tracking water transfer from soil and plants into the atmosphere. The CTI's enabling technology, Strained-Layer Superlattice Technology, is 10 times more sensitive than its predecessor and operates at warmer temperatures.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 31, 2018

Light receptors determine the behavior of flashlight fish

Researchers found two opsin variants in the retina of flashlight fish, activated by low-intensity blue light, which influences behavioral responses. The study suggests that bioluminescence is processed and used to adjust behavior in this species.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 12, 2018

Processes in the atomic microcosmos are revealed

Researchers at FAU successfully generated controlled electron pulses in the attosecond range using optical travelling waves formed by laser pulses. This breakthrough enables ultrafast movements to be tracked, such as vibrations in atomic lattices and molecular bonds in chemical reactions.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 16, 2018
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.

Fluorescent dye could enable sharper biological imaging

A team of researchers at MIT has shown that an FDA-approved dye can be used for short-wave infrared imaging, producing clearer images of blood vessels and other body tissues. This breakthrough could enable doctors to visualize these structures with greater accuracy, leading to improved diagnosis and research.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2018

Scientists create 'Swiss army knife' for electron beams

Researchers have developed a 'Swiss army knife' for electron beams, combining acceleration, compression, focusing and analysis in a single device. The Segmented Terahertz Electron Accelerator and Manipulator (STEAM) uses precise timing control to perform these functions with ultra-high precision.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 3, 2018
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Laser-based sensing system can detect methane leaks from miles away

A new field instrument can quantify methane leaks as tiny as one-quarter of a human exhalation from nearly a mile away. The revamped laser technology provides game-changing information for safe industry operations and controlling harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalOptica·DateMar 23, 2018

Multifunctional metalens unlocks with light

Researchers at Harvard SEAS developed a flat metalens that can resolve details smaller than a wavelength of light, generate optical vortices and holograms, and exhibit achromatic behavior in multiple colors.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 13, 2018
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.

Hybrid optics bring color imaging using ultrathin metalenses into focus

Scientists at the University of Washington created a hybrid optics system combining ultrathin metalenses with computational processing to produce high-efficiency full-color images. This innovation overcomes the narrow wavelength range limitation of traditional metalenses, enabling improved image quality and resolution in various applic...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 12, 2018

The future of wireless communications is terahertz

Researchers in Australia have developed a novel platform for light-matter interaction in fiber optics, opening up new horizons for communication and photonics technology. The system uses terahertz radiation with higher bandwidth capacity than current microwave networks.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateFeb 6, 2018

A new way of generating ultra-short bursts of light

The new design doubles the conversion efficiency of conventional systems, allowing for greater bandwidth and resolution in detecting pollutants and diseases. The technology also enables the miniaturization of such systems onto a chip, leading to new applications for molecular detection and remote sensing.

SourceStanford University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 5, 2018
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.

Researchers engineer ultra-sensitive temperature sensor

Developed in Brazil, the device measures temperatures in a wide band between 80-750 kelvin using spectroscopy and has applications in manufacturing and biological processes. It can be used in electronic equipment identification and detection of viral or bacterial infections.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 11, 2018

Pulses of light to encrypt data and protect security of cryptocurrencies

Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed a new, energy-efficient frequency comb that can be used to encrypt data and protect the security of cryptocurrencies. The comb requires 1000x less power than traditional combs, making it suitable for mobile applications.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 11, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Single metalens focuses all colors of the rainbow in one point

Researchers at Harvard have developed a single metalens that can focus the entire visible spectrum of light, including white light, in high resolution. This breakthrough eliminates chromatic aberrations and reduces thickness and design complexity compared to traditional lenses.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 1, 2018

A shoe-box-sized chemical detector

A new optical-fiber-based laser enables detection of chemicals by analyzing reflected light patterns. The device uses a broadband infrared supercontinuum laser to identify substances based on their chemical signature.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalOptics Letters·DateDec 15, 2017

Tuning the wavelength of fluorescent carbon tubes

Researchers at Kyushu University developed a method to tune the fluorescence wavelength of carbon nanotubes by tethering organic molecules. This enables fine control over the emission wavelength, with potential applications in biomedical devices and bioimaging.

SourceKyushu University, I2CNER·JournalChemical Communications·DateNov 24, 2017
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.