A groundbreaking advancement in DNA sequencing technology, nanopore sequencing, is dramatically accelerating the analysis of brain tumor DNA. Researchers have demonstrated the ability to comprehensively profile brain tumor DNA using nanopore sequencing in an unprecedented 30 minutes. This rapid turnaround time represents a significant leap forward compared to traditional sequencing methods, which can take hours [..]

In-line machine vision systems are revolutionizing the field of metrology, offering a powerful approach to automate and enhance precision measurement in manufacturing processes. By integrating vision technology directly into production lines, these systems enable real-time quality control, leading to significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and overall product quality. This integration eliminates the need for manual [..]

The pursuit of optical computing, a paradigm shift from traditional electronic computation, has spurred researchers to explore novel materials capable of manipulating light at the nanoscale. A significant breakthrough has emerged with the creation of nanoparticles exhibiting a unique bistable switching behavior, transitioning between dark and bright states upon exposure to light. This property is [..]

A revolutionary approach to manipulating light has emerged, promising to significantly enhance the efficiency and performance of various electronic devices, particularly those involving display technologies. Researchers have successfully demonstrated a method to “twist” light into spiral patterns, mimicking structures found in nature, and have shown its direct application in improving the performance of OLED displays [..]

Researchers have unveiled a novel augmented reality (AR) glasses design that significantly reduces weight and bulk by employing a “beaming displays” approach. This innovative system shifts the image generation burden from the glasses to an external projector. Traditional AR glasses struggle with weight and power limitations due to onboard batteries and electronic components. This new design addresses [..]

Imagine a world where your light bulbs not only illuminate your home but also provide your internet connection. This is the promise of Li-Fi technology that uses light to transmit data. While Wi-Fi has become a ubiquitous part of our lives, Li-Fi offers a different approach to wireless communication. Li-Fi, short for Light Fidelity, utilizes [..]

The longstanding barrier of light microscopy, the diffraction limit, has been challenged again. While super-resolution techniques like STED and PALM/STORM rely on molecular “ON/OFF” switching and revolutionized imaging, a recent breakthrough demonstrates resolution enhancement without this requirement. Researchers have unveiled a method utilizing a scanning beam with a central zero-intensity line (node). By analyzing the [..]

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking droplet microfluidic component library that is set to democratize microfluidic device fabrication. This innovation offers a rapid, cost-effective alternative to traditional PDMS-based methods, enabling device creation for under $12 and a full design-build-test cycle within a day. The library features biocompatible, high-throughput components capable of complex multistep workflows, including droplet [..]

Modern optoelectronic devices, from smartphone cameras to astronomical instruments, face a growing challenge: extracting more information from photons demands significant energy, limiting performance.  Researchers are tackling this issue by developing novel, energy-efficient, light-sensing smart sensors inspired by the human eye. Current optical sensors typically transmit all raw data to a computer for processing, a power-hungry [..]

Laser-plasma accelerators (LPAs) hold promise for generating compact, cost-effective proton beams, but challenges like target replacement and beam divergence have hindered their progress.  Now, researchers have made a surprising breakthrough using a simple stream of water.  Instead of solid targets, the team used a thin water sheet, replenished after each laser pulse.  This solved the [..]

New research presents a novel method for estimating body composition using 3D imaging and deep learning.  Traditional methods like DXA scans, while accurate, involve radiation exposure. This research explores a non-invasive optical approach as a potential alternative. The study utilizes a dataset of 4286 3D body scans, some paired with DXA scan data for ground [..]

In a breakthrough for integrated photonics, researchers have demonstrated a high-power tunable laser on silicon photonics that reaches close to 2 Watts of output power. This is a significant milestone, as it is the first time that a high-power tunable laser has been demonstrated on silicon photonics. The new laser is based on silicon photonics, [..]

Machine vision is a critical technology in industrial automation, enabling businesses to analyze images, extract data, and make informed decisions. As the technology evolves, deep learning has emerged as a valuable tool for enhancing Its capabilities. However, machine vision and deep learning systems rely heavily on high-quality images for optimal performance. Proper lighting is paramount [..]

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking approach that combines infrared spectroscopy, machine learning, and computational chemistry to monitor C-C coupling reactions in real time. This innovative method offers a noninvasive and highly accurate way to track the formation of carbon-carbon bonds, a fundamental process in organic chemistry. The team trained a convolutional neural network (CNN) to [..]

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 [..]