Our cell membranes are like the gatekeepers of our cells, controlling what goes in and out. But they’re not just passive barriers; they also respond to physical cues from their environment. A recent study used a powerful imaging technique called cryo-electron microscopy to show how these membranes react to mechanical stress. The study focused on [..]

Gamma imaging, a cornerstone of nuclear medicine, traditionally relies on large, stationary cameras. This limits patient access and restricts the technique to specialized departments. However, a new device, Seracam, is challenging the status quo. Seracam is a compact, portable gamma camera designed for small-organ imaging. Its dimensions – just 15 cm in diameter and 24 [..]

Accurately identifying and counting white blood cells (WBCs) in medical diagnostics is crucial for disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Traditionally, this task has been performed manually using microscopes, a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. The recent development of digital morphology analyzers offers a potential solution for faster and more automated WBC analysis. The new research evaluates [..]

Augmented reality (AR) is set to revolutionize how we interact with the world, overlaying digital information onto our physical environment. While various AR devices exist, stylish and lightweight glasses are poised to become the mainstream. To deliver a compelling AR experience, these glasses require advanced display technologies. Two primary display technologies compete for dominance in [..]

New research describes a novel technique for creating micro-optical components using a special type of ZIF-62 hybrid glasses. This method leverages hot imprinting, a 3D printing technique, to precisely shape the glass. Researchers have successfully fabricated micro-optical elements with this approach, paving the way for integrating Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) into photonic devices. MOFs are a [..]

New research proposes a novel data privacy preservation protocol for smart cities that leverages the security benefits of biometrics while maintaining energy efficiency. Biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, provides a unique identifier for user authentication. The protocol incorporates fuzzy commitment schemes, a cryptographic primitive well-suited for optics and photonics applications due to [..]

Visualizing magnetic fields at the atomic scale has long been a holy grail for scientists studying magnetism. This quest has taken a significant leap forward with a new technique that uses a holography electron microscope to achieve a resolution of 0.47 nanometers. This breakthrough resolution allows researchers to peer into the magnetic world at the [..]

A new technique using lasers and 2D materials offers hope in the fight against plastic pollution. Researchers have developed a method that breaks down plastic waste into its basic building blocks, transforming it into reusable chemicals. This approach can potentially revolutionize plastic waste management and create a more sustainable future. The process works by focusing [..]

Microwaves, a form of electromagnetic radiation, are finding new applications in medical imaging. A recent study demonstrates the potential of microwave-induced ultrasound imaging for real-time tissue monitoring. The new method uses high-energy pulsed microwaves to excite molecules within tissue. This creates images at a high frame rate, which means that the images can be updated [..]

Scientists have developed a new method for integrating quantum dots with metasurfaces to enhance light emission significantly. This paves the way for brighter displays and more accurate biosensing applications. Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals known for their unique optical properties. They can be tuned to emit specific light colors, making them ideal for various applications, [..]

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in creating perfect linear optics using silicon photonics. This new approach overcomes limitations faced by current state-of-the-art optical architectures. The problem lies in achieving high fidelity while avoiding insertion loss. Traditional methods often introduce unwanted signal loss or errors. The researchers have proposed a groundbreaking solution using a silicon [..]

Two-photon polymerization (2PP) is a powerful 3D printing technique for creating intricate microstructures. However, its widespread adoption has been hampered by the high cost of femtosecond lasers, a key component. Researchers have developed a promising solution: a two-laser approach that significantly reduces the femtosecond laser power requirement, making 2PP printing more affordable. Traditionally, 2PP relies [..]

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a group of conditions affecting brain development and function. While genetic factors play a significant role, traditional methods often fail to identify the underlying cause. This is where a powerful new technique called optical genome mapping (OGM) offers a fresh perspective on NDD diagnosis. Current methods like short-read sequencing struggle to [..]

Researchers have successfully observed a time crystal oscillating at GHz frequencies on a chip, marking the first time such high-frequency oscillations have been observed in a condensate sample on a semiconductor device. This discovery could lead to new applications in optoelectronic devices. Time crystals are a special material that exhibits a periodic structure in time [..]

Understanding the inner workings of a cell is crucial in biology and chromatin, the tightly packed DNA within the cell nucleus plays a central role in many cellular processes. However, studying chromatin dynamics has been challenging due to its constant motion within the nucleus. Traditional techniques often rely on fluorescent labels, which can interfere with [..]

New research investigates the potential of a neurobiological model to predict future dementia diagnosis by analyzing the brain’s default-mode network (DMN). Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, and disruption in the functional connectivity of the DMN is a known indicator. The researchers used spectral dynamic causal modeling (DCM) on resting-state functional magnetic [..]

Building large-scale quantum computers capable of tackling problems beyond the reach of classical machines requires reliable methods for creating and connecting quantum bits (qubits). Researchers have taken a significant step forward with a new technique using femtosecond lasers to create and manipulate photonic qubits—qubits based on light particles. The challenge lies in precisely positioning and [..]

In a groundbreaking development, researchers have engineered a device capable of controlling photon emission with unparalleled precision. This innovative technology promises to revolutionize quantum applications by enabling more efficient miniature light sources, highly sensitive sensors, and robust quantum bits essential for quantum computing. The team utilized nanophotonic tools to achieve this feat. By employing tiny [..]

Have you ever felt limited by the size and availability of microspheres for your optical microscopy experiments? A new method using laser-based 3D printing offers a promising solution! Researchers describe a novel technique for fabricating high-quality microspheres for optical microscopy applications. Conventional methods for obtaining these spheres are restricted by their size and the difficulty [..]

The burgeoning field of intelligent unmanned systems, encompassing applications like autonomous driving and embodied AI, hinges on robust visual perception. However, traditional vision chips struggle in dynamic, unpredictable environments due to processing power and bandwidth limitations. This leads to distortions, failures, and high latency, compromising system safety and stability. Researchers have taken a revolutionary approach, [..]