Lightning, a breathtaking display of nature’s power, remains a complex phenomenon scientists are still unraveling. As our planet warms, the frequency and intensity of lightning strikes increase, making it crucial to understand and predict these events. Researchers have turned to innovative technologies to gain deeper insights into lightning’s behavior. A recent breakthrough involves an event-based [..]

A research team has unveiled a novel method for capturing high-resolution fluorescence microscopy images through complex scattering media. This innovative approach leverages the power of conventional widefield fluorescence microscopes to overcome the limitations imposed by light scattering. Light scattering, a common phenomenon in biological and other complex samples, often obscures the underlying structures of interest. [..]

Imagine lenses that can shift focus and intensity in the blink of an eye, conjuring three-dimensional imagery like a scene out of science fiction. Thanks to a new generation of holographic lenses, this isn’t the plot of a futuristic movie; it’s the potential future of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Inspired by holographic [..]

Thermal imaging technology monitors the temperature of fruits and vegetables before and after harvest. This helps reduce food waste and improve the quality of produce. In some environments, thermal imaging can replace old-school thermometers. The research discusses how thermal imaging technology works by detecting temperature variations. This allows farmers and produce handlers to identify fruits [..]

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking microfluidic platform, ReSCUE, that offers unprecedented control over the shape and behavior of tumoroids, 3D cell cultures that mimic real tumors. This innovation opens new avenues for cancer research, particularly in understanding the impact of tumor shape on cancer cell behavior and aggressiveness. While traditional cancer research often focuses on [..]

The human body is a complex system; monitoring its health vitals is crucial for early disease detection and prevention. However, traditional monitoring methods can be cumbersome and uncomfortable for patients. This is where biointegrated, flexible, stretchable optoelectronics come in. Biointegrated flexible, stretchable optoelectronics are a new class of devices that can be seamlessly integrated into [..]

Have you ever wondered where the periodic table ends? Scientists are pushing the boundaries by studying superheavy elements beyond uranium (element 92), which can only be created in labs. A recent study sheds light on the structure of these exotic elements. The key lies in nuclear radii. Using laser spectroscopy, researchers measured the size of [..]

A groundbreaking study has introduced a novel computational holography-based method that promises to revolutionize the field of imaging through scattering media. This innovative technique addresses the long-standing challenge of obtaining high-resolution images through highly scattering materials, such as biological tissues or turbid water. When light passes through a scattering medium, it undergoes multiple scattering events, [..]

Researchers have introduced a revolutionary imaging technology, DEEPscope, that promises to reshape our understanding of the brain. This innovative microscope overcomes the limitations of traditional multiphoton microscopy, enabling deep and wide-field visualization of neural activity at unprecedented resolution.Multiphoton microscopy, a gold standard for deep-tissue imaging, faces significant hurdles. As imaging depth increases, the field of [..]

Traditional computers rely on electrons to transmit information, which can limit their processing speed. However, a new frontier in computing is emerging – photonics – which utilizes light for data transmission.  A recent breakthrough in 3D integrated photonics has paved the way for a new generation of photonic processors that can tackle complex problems significantly [..]

Lead exposure is a serious public health concern, particularly for children. Traditional methods for detecting lead exposure can be time-consuming and expensive. This research highlights two promising advancements in lead exposure detection that utilize innovative applications of optics and photonics. The first technique leverages portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers. XRF spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical [..]

A groundbreaking discovery has the potential to revolutionize non-invasive medical diagnostics. Researchers have harnessed the power of orbital angular momentum (OAM) light to improve imaging and data transmission through biological tissues. OAM light is a special light beam with a unique spatial structure, often described as a “twisted” light beam. Unlike traditional light beams, it [..]

Chalcogenide glasses, composed of elements like sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, are emerging as a promising material for infrared (IR) optics. These glasses offer unique properties, including transparency in the IR spectrum and the ability to be tailored for specific applications. Recent research has unveiled an extraordinary property of chalcogenide glasses: self-healing chalcogenide glasses. These glasses [..]

Contactless hand biometrics, a technology that captures 3D images of hands for identification purposes, has gained significant attention in recent years. While it offers the potential for more secure and convenient authentication, its application in forensic investigations is still in its early stages. A recent study has highlighted the limitations of contactless hand biometrics in [..]

A new technique has been developed to improve illumination uniformity in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion. This technique is more efficient than previous methods and can be applied to other pellet geometries and at other facilities. Inertial confinement fusion is a fusion power that uses lasers to compress and heat a target fuel pellet, causing it [..]

A groundbreaking study introduces a revolutionary technique for noninvasive, high-resolution imaging through highly scattering media. Researchers developed this method, which leverages computational holography to overcome the limitations of traditional optical imaging. The key innovation lies in using computational optimization to emulate wavefront shaping experiments. By optimizing multiple “virtual SLMs” simultaneously, the researchers could reconstruct high-quality [..]

A recent study has shed new light on the early stages of substance use. Researchers used a specialized type of MRI, called neuromelanin-sensitive MRI, to examine the brains of young adults who had a history of extensive alcohol and drug use. Neuromelanin is a pigment in certain brain areas, including the midbrain, where dopamine is [..]

Metasurfaces, a class of artificially engineered materials, have revolutionized the field of optics by offering unprecedented control over light at the nanoscale. However, until recently, metasurfaces faced limitations in achieving asymmetric optical responses, where the behavior of light differs depending on its direction of incidence. A team of researchers has successfully overcome this hurdle by [..]

Optical tweezers are powerful tools that use light to trap and manipulate microscopic objects. They have a wide range of applications in biology and medicine, but current integrated optical tweezers have limitations. New research discusses a new approach that uses integrated optical phased arrays (OPAs) to overcome these limitations. The OPA system can trap and [..]

Event-based cameras, also known as neuromorphic sensors, have garnered significant attention in machine vision due to their energy efficiency and high temporal resolution. However, a critical limitation has hindered their widespread adoption: their inability to capture information on the edges of objects parallel to the camera’s motion. This issue can significantly impact the performance of [..]