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Nanotubes are beacons in cancer-imaging technique

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new cancer-imaging technique that uses carbon nanotubes tagged with antibodies to pinpoint the location of tumors. The technique, known as spectral triangulation, uses non-invasive optical measurements to determine the depth and coordinates of the nanotube beacons in tissue.

SourceRice University·JournalNanoscale·DateMay 20, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists discover potentially habitable planets

Three exoplanets, similar to Earth and Venus, orbit an ultracool dwarf star just 40 light years from Earth. The planets may have regions with temperatures suitable for liquid water and life.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateMay 2, 2016

NASA employees among finalists for prestigious Heyman Medal

Dennis Reuter and his team are selected as finalists for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal for their contributions to the New Horizons mission to Pluto. The LEISA instrument provided groundbreaking data on Pluto's surface composition, expanding scientists' understanding of the outer solar system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 2, 2016

Team builds first quantum cascade laser on silicon

A team of researchers has successfully built the first quantum cascade laser on silicon, paving the way for applications in chemical bond spectroscopy, gas sensing, astronomy, and free-space communications. The breakthrough integrates lasers directly on silicon chips, overcoming challenges posed by silicon's indirect bandgap.

SourceOptica·DateApr 20, 2016

A laser for your eyes

Researchers created an efficient diode-pumped eye-safe laser using GdAl3 single crystals co-doped with Er and Yb. The laser emits safe wavelengths for human eyes and has advantages in telecoms due to low atmospheric losses.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalOptics Letters·DateApr 15, 2016
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.

New laser to shine light on remote sensing

A revolutionary new laser developed by the University of Adelaide can operate over a large range in the infrared light spectrum, allowing for sensitive detection of greenhouse gases. The laser's tunability and affordability make it a promising tool for scanning gases with high sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOptics Letters·DateApr 4, 2016

Light helps develop programmable materials

Researchers at Lund University have developed a method to control the movement of active particles using light, which can be used to create programmable materials. This technology has potential applications in environmental science, such as locating oil spills, and medicine, including delivering pharmaceutical substances.

SourceLund University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2016

VLA shows earliest stages of planet formation

Astronomers have observed the inner portion of a protoplanetary disk surrounding HL Tau, with VLA images showing a distinct clump of dust containing roughly 3-8 times the mass of Earth. The region is thought to be where Earth-like planets would form.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 17, 2016

UMass Amherst team offers new, simpler law of complex wrinkle patterns

Researchers at UMass Amherst and Oxford University describe a new law for predicting wrinkle wavelength on curved surfaces, enabling the use of wrinkles to sculpt surface topography. Experimental results support the validity of this local law, which incorporates mechanical and geometrical effects.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2016
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.

Quantum processes control accurately to several attoseconds

Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University successfully controlled ultrafast motion of electrons down to three attoseconds, breaking natural obstacles and observing quantum interference. The achievement opens a new horizon for studying ultrafast processes in physics.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 22, 2016

Algorithm makes hyperspectral imaging faster

Researchers at NC State University have developed an algorithm that can quickly and accurately reconstruct hyperspectral images using less data. This breakthrough enables faster imaging times and reduced memory requirements, making it suitable for applications such as security, defense, environmental monitoring, and agriculture.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing·DateFeb 18, 2016

Switching light with a silver atom

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a working group that created a tiny, ultra-efficient optical switch using silver atoms. This breakthrough has significant implications for data transmission and storage, as it enables the creation of digital signals with unprecedented accuracy.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 1, 2016

Scientists show a new way to absorb electromagnetic radiation

Researchers have developed a new way to fully absorb electromagnetic radiation using an anisotropic crystal, hexagonal boron nitride. This breakthrough has significant implications for reducing radar visibility and improving applications in photovoltaics, sensing, nanochemistry, and photodynamic therapy.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateJan 14, 2016
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

A nanophotonic comeback for incandescent bulbs?

A new technology allows for the creation of incandescent bulbs that can achieve efficiencies as high as 40 percent, outperforming current CFLs and LEDs. The breakthrough involves a two-stage process where waste heat is captured and re-emitted as visible light, resulting in a threefold improvement over traditional designs.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 11, 2016

Single-chip laser delivers powerful result

A Northwestern University team has developed a mid-infrared tunable laser integrated into an on-chip amplifier, demonstrating an order-of-magnitude increase in output power. The new technology allows for adjustable wavelength output, modulators, and amplifiers in a single package, enabling more efficient detection of hazardous chemicals.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 7, 2016

NASA to launch FORTIS to study extra-galactic dust

The FORTIS sounding rocket will study the properties of galaxy NGC 1365, also known as the Great Barred Spiral Galaxy. Scientists aim to quantify how much material is flowing in and out of the galaxy by analyzing light emitted and absorbed by different types of hydrogen.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 16, 2015
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.

Using atoms to turn optical nanofiber guided light on and off

The OIST team developed an on-off switch with ultrathin optical fibers, using the quantum properties of rubidium atoms in the presence of different wavelengths of light. This proof-of-concept system could be used as a building block in a quantum network, enabling efficient data transfer and security.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateDec 7, 2015

Measuring nanoscale features with fractions of light

Using a novel microscope that combines standard through-the-lens viewing with scatterfield imaging, NIST team accurately measures patterned features on a silicon wafer as small as 16 nanometers wide. The technique reveals variations in feature dimensions amounting to differences of a few atoms.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateDec 3, 2015

New research exploits extraordinary properties of graphene

Researchers have developed a new hybrid structure that interacts strongly with electromagnetic radiation, enabling control over optical switches. The graphene-based material has the effect of focusing radiation into a smaller area than its wavelength.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 27, 2015
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.

The long and short of plasma turbulence

Researchers have used a supercomputer to simulate plasma turbulence, finding that long and short wavelength turbulence coexist and interact strongly, increasing heat losses tenfold above standard models. This discovery may inform fusion reactor design and bring us closer to practical fusion energy.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 10, 2015

New technology colors in the infrared rainbow

Researchers at Duke University have developed a technology that brings true color to infrared imaging systems, capturing specific wavelengths from the visible to the infrared spectrum. This allows advanced thermal imaging systems to be produced faster and cheaper, with higher sensitivity.

SourceDuke University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 9, 2015

The new wave in wireless communication

Researchers at UCSB aim to develop large-scale millimeter wave wireless data networks that can operate at gigabit speeds. The new approach focuses on the millimeter wave band, which offers additional real estate on the electromagnetic spectrum and better efficiency due to its smaller coverage area.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateNov 3, 2015

Graphene flakes as an ultra-fast stopwatch

Researchers developed a graphene broadband detector that reacts rapidly to incident light and works at room temperature. The device can synchronize laser pulses with high accuracy, enabling precise measurements at room temperature.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 27, 2015
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.

Mode control for square microresonator lasers suitable for integration

Square optical microresonators support whispering-gallery modes, suitable for unidirectional microlasers. Microsquare lasers offer better modulation behaviors and higher output power than microdisk lasers. Mode selection is achieved by adjusting the output waveguide width, enabling continuous tuning of lasing wavelength.

SourceScience China Press·DateOct 14, 2015

Laser-wielding physicists seize control of atoms' behavior

Researchers have successfully tuned lasers to manipulate atoms' interactions in a Bose-Einstein condensate, allowing for exotic states of matter. This breakthrough enables the exploration of unusual quantum phenomena and the engineering of novel quantum devices.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 5, 2015

New on-chip optical sensing technique used to detect multiple flu strains

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University have developed a novel method for multiplex fluorescence detection on a small chip, enabling the rapid detection and identification of different flu virus subtypes. The technique uses wavelength division multiplexing to create distinctive signals in an optical waveguide.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2015

Attosecond physics: Laser-based molecular fingerprinting

A team of researchers has developed a unique source of coherent radiation for identifying and quantifying molecules in complex mixtures. The new laser can detect minimal amounts of disease markers present in exhaled breath, with the potential to diagnose potentially lethal diseases early.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Photonics·DateSep 22, 2015
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.

Acoustic imaging with outline detection

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new type of acoustic imaging device that extracts contour information during measurement, creating detailed outline images of objects. The method uses evanescent waves and is useful for quickly recording relevant information about objects.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 21, 2015

Scientists measure slow death of the Universe

Researchers measured energy generated within space more precisely than ever before, discovering the Universe is slowly dying. The Galaxy and Mass Assembly project used seven powerful telescopes to observe 200,000 galaxies at 21 wavelengths.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 10, 2015

Camera for the nano-cosmos

Scientists at HZDR and TU Dresden create compact camera that enables precise filming of dynamic processes at the nanometer scale. The instrument combines advantages of two methods, allowing high spatial and temporal resolution.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 10, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Short wavelength plasmons observed in nanotubes

Berkeley Lab researchers have generated and detected plasmons with one of the strongest confinement factors ever, confining photon energy to a spatial dimension smaller than its wavelength. This breakthrough enables novel plasmonic devices with extraordinary sub-wavelength confinement.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 28, 2015

Scientists study atmosphere of Venus through transit images

Scientists measured the absorption of different wavelengths of light in Venus' atmosphere, revealing clues about its composition and temperature. This research will help improve studies of exoplanets and future missions to Venus.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 9, 2015

New heterogeneous wavelength tunable laser diode for high-frequency efficiency

The researchers developed a novel ultra-compact heterogeneous wavelength tunable laser diode using silicon photonics and quantum-dot technology, achieving a wide-range tuning operation of around 1250 nm wavelength with an ultra-small device footprint. The obtained frequency tuning-range of 8.8 THz is a world record for QD and silicon p...

SourceTohoku University·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateJun 2, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Novel X-ray lens sharpens view into the nano world

A novel X-ray lens designed by DESY scientists has been successfully tested, producing sharper and brighter images of the nano world. The lens employs a unique concept to redirect X-rays over a wide range of angles, enabling high convergence power and resolving smaller details.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 1, 2015

Magic wavelengths

Researchers at JQI have discovered special wavelengths, known as 'magic wavelengths', that can trap and excite Rydberg atoms without disturbing them. This breakthrough enables the creation of qubits and interaction of atoms in a useful regime.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalPhysical Review A·DateMay 11, 2015

Northwestern scientists develop first liquid nanolaser

Researchers at Northwestern University have created the world's first liquid nanoscale laser that can change colors in real time. The technology has significant advantages over traditional lasers, including simplicity, affordability and room-temperature operation.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2015
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.

Astronomers discover likely precursors of galaxy clusters we see today

Researchers used ESA's Herschel and Planck space observatories to identify objects in the distant Universe that could be precursors of today's galaxy clusters. These early galaxies were found to be forming stars at an extremely high rate, with some converting gas and dust into stars at a rate 1,500 times faster than our own Milky Way.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateMar 31, 2015

NASA satellites catch 'growth spurt' from newborn protostar

Astronomers have discovered an outburst from a young protostar called HOPS 383, revealing a sudden accumulation of gas and dust. The eruption is thought to be caused by instabilities in the disk around the protostar, leading to an extreme hot spot that heats up the surrounding material.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 24, 2015

NASA-funded mission studies the Sun in soft X-rays

Scientists have made significant discoveries about the Sun's behavior in soft X-rays, shedding light on heating mechanisms and coronal composition. The study found that nanoflares, tiny explosions on the Sun, could be responsible for increased soft X-ray emissions, which also affects space weather events near Earth.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 24, 2015
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.

The chameleon reorganizes its nanocrystals to change colors

Researchers at Université de Genève discover that chameleons change colors through the active tuning of a lattice of nanocrystals in iridophores. This unique system allows for rapid shifts between efficient camouflage and spectacular display, while also providing passive thermal protection.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 10, 2015

NIST gets new angle on X-ray measurements

Scientists at NIST have developed a new approach to measure X-ray angles with greater precision, reducing errors by three times. This improvement will enable better understanding of newly designed materials and their properties.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMetrologia·DateMar 9, 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.

Perfect colors, captured with one ultra-thin lens

Researchers create an ultra-thin, completely flat optical component made of glass substrate and silicon antennas that compensates for wavelength differences. This allows for consistent effects like deflecting beams of different colors by the same angle or focusing those colors on a single spot.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateFeb 19, 2015

ORCA prototype ready for the open ocean

ORCA will study microscopic phytoplankton and their impact on the carbon cycle, measuring chlorophyll concentrations and distinguishing between types of phytoplankton. The instrument's hyperspectral capability offers a range of bands to refine ocean observations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 10, 2015
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.

The laser pulse that gets shorter all by itself

Scientists at Vienna University of Technology have developed a way to compress intense laser pulses by a factor of 20 using a cleverly designed hollow fibre. This tabletop technology makes creating short infrared pulses much simpler and cheaper than previously used setups.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 27, 2015

Photonic crystal nanolaser biosensor simplifies DNA detection

A team of researchers created a photonic crystal nanolaser biosensor that can detect DNA and biomolecules based on wavelength shift and laser emission intensity changes. This method is simpler and potentially less expensive than existing techniques, making it a promising tool for disease diagnosis.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 13, 2015

Detection thresholds drop with low noise quantum cascade laser driver

The QCL LAB family of instruments features low noise drive electronics, allowing for stable center wavelength and narrow linewidth. Models are available with output currents up to 2000 mA, making them suitable for various applications such as remote detection of explosive materials and medical diagnosis.

SourceWavelength Electronics, Inc.·DateJan 13, 2015

NASA-funded FOXSI to observe X-rays from Sun

The FOXSI mission will observe high-energy X-rays from the Sun, helping scientists understand solar flares and the sun's atmosphere. By detecting these faint events, researchers aim to confirm the existence of nanoflares, which are thought to occur constantly but are difficult to detect.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 8, 2014
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.

Creating bright X-ray pulses in the laser lab

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new laser system to create high-flux X-ray pulses, which will allow for more accurate measurements in various scientific fields. The new technology uses mid-infrared light and can produce up to 25 times higher X-ray flux than previous experiments.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 11, 2014

Caltech rocket experiment finds surprising cosmic light

Researchers detected a diffuse cosmic glow originating from stripped stars flung out into space after galaxies collided and merged. The findings suggest previously undetected stars permeate dark spaces between galaxies, forming an interconnected sea of stars.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 6, 2014
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Berkeley Lab scientists ID new driver behind Arctic warming

Researchers discovered that open oceans are less efficient at emitting far-infrared energy than sea ice, leading to warmer oceans and melting sea ice. This phenomenon contributes significantly to the polar climate's warming trend, with simulations predicting a 2-degree Celsius increase in the Arctic climate after just 25 years.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 3, 2014

Inside the Milky Way

Researchers analyzed images from the Russian spacecraft RadioAstron and found small spots in the overall image, which they call substructure. This phenomenon can be used to infer the actual size of the underlying source, including the black hole's emission region.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 13, 2014