Microfluidic biochips are tiny devices that manipulate fluids at the microliter scale. They have a wide range of applications in the medical field, including drug discovery, diagnostics, and personalized medicine. However, a new study has shown that these chips are vulnerable to cyber-physical attacks that can be launched by tampering with the manufacturing process. The [..]

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that can lead to vision loss. Early detection and treatment of DR are essential to prevent vision loss. Traditional fundus photography (FP) is a common screening method for DR. Still, it has limitations in detecting diabetic macular edema (DME), a type of fluid buildup in the macula, [..]

In silicon photonics, creating dependable sources of single photons and enabling strong interactions between them has been a substantial obstacle to quantum technologies. A recent study describes a novel technique for generating indistinguishable photons from a silicon waveguide incorporating a G center. G centers are intricate defects within silicon. They consist of two carbon atoms [..]

A new method for measuring urine C-reactive protein (CRP) levels has been developed using an optical sensor and machine learning algorithms. This method is believed to be more accurate and reliable than traditional methods, such as ELISA. CRP is a biomarker of inflammation, and a point-of-care test for CRP could be useful for various applications, [..]

Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in their understanding of retinal neovascularization. This condition, characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina, is a leading cause of vision loss in premature infants, diabetics, and the elderly. Traditionally, treatments for retinal neovascularization have been limited to laser therapy and anti-VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor [..]

Researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking microscopy technique that promises to revolutionize our understanding and manipulation of nanomaterials. Their work introduces a method to visualize the intricate details of metamaterials, structures engineered at the nanoscale with extraordinary optical properties. Until now, exploring the nanoscale realm has been akin to studying an elephant with a magnifying glass. [..]

Imagine a world where telescopes in space and powerful lasers on Earth can function flawlessly for years without worrying about microscopic cracks or fractures diminishing their performance. This futuristic vision might inch closer to reality thanks to researchers’ recent discovery of self-healing glass. The crux of the challenge lies in the limitations of conventional materials [..]

Jiming Bao, an electrical and computer engineering professor at the University of Houston, has invented a new method to improve thermal imaging and infrared thermography. These techniques measure and show temperature distributions without physically touching the photographed material. Thermal cameras and infrared thermometers are very sensitive tools used in various industries, including military and medical [..]

Researchers have made significant strides in optoelectronics by developing a new type of LED capable of emitting spin-controlled photons at room temperature. This breakthrough could revolutionize how we harness light and electrons in devices like LEDs, solar cells, and lasers. The team’s previous research involved creating a polarized LED using perovskite materials. Building upon this [..]

A team of researchers has made a significant breakthrough in photonics by trapping alkali atoms on an integrated photonic circuit. This groundbreaking achievement paves the way for developing quantum networks based on cold-atom integrated nanophotonic circuits. The team successfully cooled cesium atoms to near zero and trapped them on a photonic waveguide. These “frozen” atoms, [..]

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 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 [..]

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 [..]

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 [..]

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 [..]

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 [..]

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, [..]

New research discusses conventional optical microscopes’ limitations and dielectric microspheres’ potential to overcome these limitations. It describes a novel 3D micro-device fabricated using femtosecond laser ablation and multi-photon lithography. This device integrates a modified coverslip and a microsphere to achieve enhanced resolution. Conventional optical microscopes are limited by diffraction, which restricts their ability to resolve [..]