The eyes of mantis shrimp inspired the development of a new type of organic photodetector small enough to fit on a smartphone but capable of hyperspectral and polarimetric imaging. The eyes of mantis shrimp, exceptionally good at capturing subtle gradations of color, inspired the designers of the new organic photodetector. As a result, the researchers [..]

Magneto-Optical (MO) effects are phenomena that modify the light polarization according to an external magnetic field applied to an MO active material. Amongst the most attractive properties of the magnetic transparent compounds are those related to the magneto-optical (MO) effects and their scientific and industrial applications in areas such as data storage, three-dimensional (3D) imaging, [..]

A group of scientists has developed a method that significantly improves the already ultrafast time resolution of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). It has the potential to lead to breakthroughs in the design of new materials and more efficient chemical processes. An X-ray free-electron laser device is a powerful combination of particle accelerator and laser technology [..]

Future head-mounted displays may automatically remove dust obstructing the wearer’s view using a self cleaning glass. If you wear glasses, you also have a cloth you use to repeatedly clean them, and you may still need to wipe over “Apple Glass.” However, a newly-revealed patent application shows that Apple is looking to keep the inside [..]

A particle or “walker” moves stochastically around a discrete space in a classical random walk. Quantum walks are the quantum analog, where the walker is also governed by quantum effects such as superposition, quantum interference, and entanglement. Quantum walks have attracted broad interest because of a growing range of applications in quantum information processing and [..]

Soft robotics, wearable technologies, and biomedical applications all require stretchable electronics. However, the current methods of production have limited their potential. A group of researchers has created a material and fabrication process that can quickly make these devices stretchier, more durable, and ready for mass production. One of the most difficult challenges for stretchable electronics [..]

For centuries, polished glass has been at the heart of imaging systems. Lenses’ precise curvature allows them to focus light and produce sharp images, whether the object in view is a single cell, a book page, or a distant galaxy. To see clearly at all of these scales, the zoom lens must be physically moved [..]

Nonlinear optical properties, such as bulk photovoltaic effects, possess great potential in energy harvesting, photodetection, rectification, etc. To enable efficient light–current conversion, materials with strong photo-responsivity are highly desirable. Researchers predict that monolayer Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (JTMDs) in the 1T′ phase possess colossal nonlinear photoconductivity owing to their topological band mixing, strong inversion symmetry [..]

A multi-institutional team has created an optical coating capable of reflecting and transmitting the same wavelength simultaneously. Fano Resonance Optical Coatings is the name given to a new class of optical coatings (FROCs). Previously, optical coatings could only reflect certain wavelengths of light or better transmit certain wavelengths through them. Thermal and photovoltaic bands of [..]

Calcification of the coronary arteries is a significant and independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attacks. Nonetheless, despite this knowledge and the fact that it can be assessed using any chest CT scan, quantification of coronary artery calcium (CAC) is not automatically integrated into the patient pathway because it requires radiological expertise, [..]

Apple has filed a patent application for their future VR head-mounted display, specifically a system allowing users to customize the headset’s fit on their face to be comfortable and snug. A head-mounted display is worn on the user’s head and engages the user’s face. However, by engaging the face, the head-mounted display may limit facial [..]

Researchers created the first silicon chip compact 3D LiDAR imaging system capable of matching and exceeding the performance and accuracy of the most advanced mechanical systems currently in use. 3D LiDAR can provide accurate imaging and mapping for various applications; it serves as the “eyes” for self-driving cars and is used in facial recognition software [..]

Researchers have developed a unique ink iet printing method for fabricating tiny biocompatible polymer microdisk lasers for biosensing applications. The approach enables the production of both the laser and sensor in a room temperature, open-air environment, potentially enabling new uses of biosensing technologies for health monitoring and disease diagnostics. Using an inexpensive and portable commercial [..]

Scientists could image SARS-CoV-2 using a helium ion microscope for the first time. In contrast to more traditional electron microscopy, helium ion microscopy does not require a thin metal coating on the samples. It allows a more detailed examination of interactions between coronaviruses and their host cells. The study demonstrates that the helium ion microscope [..]

A group of scientists is working on an advanced X-ray imaging method that will aid in the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. The noninvasive technology employs dyes known as contrast agents specifically designed to recognize and bind to breast cancer cells at the molecular level. When imaged with a special, cutting-edge computed tomography (CT) [..]

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a possible rapid, non-contact method for detecting and quantitatively analyzing various isotopes, including hydrogen critical to various disciplines (e.g., nuclear energy, hydrogen storage). With no sample preparation requirement, a relatively simple experimental set-up, and the ability to detect all elements in the periodic table in a matter of seconds, the [..]

In many ways, our brain and digestive tract are inextricably linked. Recent research has even suggested that bacteria in our gut may have an impact on some neurological diseases. Modeling these complex interactions in animals like mice is difficult because their physiology differs greatly from that of humans. Researchers have created an “organs-on-a-chip” system that [..]

Polarization, or the direction in which light vibrates, is imperceptible to the human eye but contains a wealth of information about the objects with which it interacts. Controlling and characterizing polarization is critical for various applications ranging from biomedical imaging to optical communications. Researchers have created metasurface optics, which allow them to remotely control the [..]

A patent application for an under-display optical fingerprint biometric sensor based on a narrow field-of-view collimator filed has been published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). While an in-display version of Touch ID biometrics has not been announced, numerous intellectual property filings and other indications have suggested it is at least under consideration. [..]

Researchers discovered that trap states govern the performance of organic photodetectors, limiting their detectability. Organic photodetectors (OPDs) have enormous potential for low-cost imaging, health monitoring, and near-infrared sensing applications. However, before these applications can be commercialized, the performance of these devices must be improved. Recent research on organic photodetectors based on donor-acceptor systems has yielded [..]