Researchers have made significant strides in optoelectronic materials, paving the way for advancements in LEDs, X-ray scintillators, and direct X-ray detectors. Their work focuses on organic metal halide hybrids (OMHHs), a class of materials offering a unique combination of cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and high performance. One of the key advantages of OMHHs is their ability [..]

Integrated photonics, a technology that miniaturizes and integrates optical components onto a chip, has made significant strides in recent years. Smaller, more versatile, and energy-efficient optical systems have been made possible by this technology, which has applications in various industries, including telecommunications, sensing, and medical diagnostics. Researchers have created a high-power tunable laser on a [..]

Scientists have developed a new, self-contained microfluidic test that uses particles to quickly and accurately measure iron and copper ion concentrations in water. This innovative approach addresses the limitations of current methods, which often require complex equipment and lengthy procedures. Iron and copper are essential minerals, but excessive amounts in drinking water can cause health [..]

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. Accurate staging is crucial for determining the appropriate course of treatment. Traditionally, imaging techniques like CT scans and MRI scans have been used for prostate cancer diagnosis. However, these techniques have limitations in detecting the spread of cancer, particularly to distant lymph nodes. PSMA-PET [..]

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery with implications for the future of artificial intelligence: luminescent nanocrystals that can rapidly switch between light and dark states. This breakthrough could pave the way for faster, more energy-efficient optical computing. These “avalanching nanoparticles,” composed of potassium, chlorine, lead, and neodymium, exhibit a unique property called intrinsic optical bistability.  [..]

Researchers have made a groundbreaking advancement in laser technology by developing a method to “print” lasers using an inkjet printer. This innovative inkjet-printed laser approach could revolutionize display technology, offering brighter and more vibrant colors than current OLED and liquid crystal displays. The process involves inkjet printing tiny droplets of a special organic liquid that [..]

Scientists constantly strive for clearer images of the microscopic world within us, pushing the boundaries of what is visible to the naked eye.  A recent breakthrough in Raman microscopy offers a new way to capture these intricate details with unprecedented clarity. Raman microscopy is a powerful tool for biological imaging. It provides valuable chemical information [..]

Plastic pollution in our oceans is a critical environmental challenge, impacting marine life and human livelihoods. Traditional methods for detecting and analyzing these plastics are often slow, costly, and labor-intensive. But now, a team of researchers has developed a groundbreaking solution: a hyperspectral Raman imaging lidar system that can remotely identify different types of plastics. [..]

Traditional methods for trace gas detection, like laser spectroscopy, often fall short when it comes to real-time, in situ applications. However, a new technology, microscale fiber photoacoustic spectroscopy (FPAS), is poised to change the game. Researchers have developed an all-in-one FPAS system that miniaturizes the key components. Imagine a device where the photoacoustic cell and [..]

Metasurfaces, engineered surfaces with nanoscale structures, are revolutionizing the field of optoelectronics. These surfaces manipulate light in ways not possible with traditional optics, offering exciting possibilities for miniaturized and highly efficient optical devices. Recent advancements in metasurface technology have led to the development of various innovative applications, including: Compact and efficient optical components: Metasurfaces can [..]

Sea sponges, masters of underwater architecture, build intricate and robust glass skeletons. Now, scientists have harnessed the power of these marine creatures to create bio-inspired microlenses. Researchers have engineered bacteria to produce silica, mimicking the sea sponge’s bioglass. Microlenses, typically challenging and costly to manufacture, are tiny lenses about the size of a single cell [..]

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking solar-powered synaptic device that enhances the efficiency of edge AI for optical sensing applications. This innovation addresses the growing need for real-time processing of time-series data in edge AI devices, which are crucial for predicting natural disasters and medical emergencies. The device mimics the behavior of human synapses, using physical [..]

The search for dark matter has led to innovative detection strategies, especially for lower-mass candidates that interact weakly. A collaboration has proposed a novel quantum detector leveraging superfluid helium and optomechanics. This approach offers a promising path to dark matter detection in the keV mass range. Due to the extremely weak signals produced, traditional detection [..]

A team of researchers has developed a groundbreaking technique for infrared “color” detection and imaging that could revolutionize fields like thermal imaging, medical diagnostics, and space exploration.  This innovative approach to LWIR detection offers a cost-effective way to overcome the limitations of current infrared technology. Traditional infrared detectors struggle to differentiate between wavelengths of infrared [..]

Newborn screening is a crucial public health program identifying infants at risk for serious conditions. Traditionally, this screening has involved a heel prick blood test to check for specific disorders. However, recent advances in genomics have opened up the possibility of using genome sequencing to screen for a much wider range of conditions. The BeginNGS [..]

A team of researchers has developed a new type of metasurface that can trap light more efficiently than previous designs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more sensitive and compact biosensors. The new light-trapping metasurface has a thin silicon layer with a patterned surface. The pattern is designed to trap light in a [..]

A collaborative effort is underway to push the boundaries of vision restoration through whole-eye transplantation. This ambitious project involves a diverse team of scientists and clinicians working together to overcome significant technical challenges and bring this groundbreaking technology to fruition. Key Research Areas: Neural Interface Technology: Developing advanced electrode interfaces to precisely connect the optic [..]