A new project at Aston University aims to revolutionize crop monitoring with a more affordable and efficient version of polarimetric LIDAR. Dr. Sergey Sergeyev, a photonics expert, has received a grant to develop this technology, addressing the limitations of current systems. LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses lasers to measure distance and gather information about [..]

Scientists have developed a method that rapidly predicts these materials‘ structure and chemical makeup, offering a faster and more precise alternative to traditional techniques. The key lies in combining machine learning with a spectroscopic technique called X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES). Researchers used this approach to analyze amorphous carbon nitrides, a material with a [..]

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have introduced a revolutionary optoelectronic neuron array capable of nonlinear optical processing of ambient natural light. This innovation addresses a critical need in computational imaging and sensing by enabling the nonlinear transmission of spatially incoherent light at significantly lower intensities than previously achievable with conventional optical materials. The team’s approach [..]

Digital pathology has revolutionized the field of medicine by enabling the analysis of whole slide images (WSIs) on computers. However, challenges remain, such as the need for large, high-quality datasets for training machine learning models. Researchers have introduced Prov-GigaPath, a new pathology foundation model, in a recent breakthrough. Prov-GigaPath was pre-trained on a massive dataset of real-world pathology slides from Providence, [..]

Researchers have developed a compact, single-shot polarization imaging system that can provide a complete polarization picture. This system, free of moving parts or bulk polarization optics, could unlock the vast potential of polarization imaging for various applications, including biomedical imaging, augmented and virtual reality systems, and smartphones. The research aims to empower applications in real-time [..]

Microfluidics, manipulating fluids at micrometer scales, offers exciting possibilities in fields like biology, chemistry, and medicine. However, traditional fabrication methods for microfluidic devices are expensive and require specialized cleanroom facilities. 3D printing presents a faster and more affordable alternative, but designing microfluidic devices for 3D printing remains a complex task. This is where Flui3d comes [..]

Scientists have produced a first for communications by 3D printing silica glass micro-optics on the tips of optic fibers. This technique could make smaller sensors and imaging systems, enhanced connectivity, and faster internet possible. The manufacturing of chemicals and pharmaceuticals may also benefit from the study of printing techniques. This approach solves long-standing issues with [..]

Researchers have developed a new MRI technique that could enable detailed studies of how brain cells develop and communicate. The technique involves engineering blood vessels to express a protein that makes them light-sensitive. When exposed to light, these engineered blood vessels dilate, and this dilation can be detected using MRI. This new technique offers several [..]

Researchers introduce Lithium Tantalate (LiTaO3) as a promising material for photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for volume manufacturing. PICs are miniaturized circuits that integrate various optical functions onto a single chip. They are increasingly important for various applications, including optical communications, biosensing, and quantum technologies. Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) has traditionally been the preferred material for PICs [..]

Scientists created a novel microscopy method called FLASH-PAINT, enabling researchers to see infinite distinct molecules inside a single cell. Imaging probes, also known as reagents, enable scientists to see minute features more clearly. Currently, imaging probes made of a single strand of DNA and a fluorescent dye are used in conjunction with an antibody to [..]

Long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) imaging is crucial for applications ranging from night vision to defense. However, conventional lenses for these systems are bulky, expensive (often made from germanium), and limit device design. Enter meta-optics: ultra-thin, lightweight alternatives based on nanostructured surfaces. While promising for size and weight reduction, meta-optics struggle with chromatic aberrations, where different wavelengths [..]

Researchers describes an autonomous quantum heat engine built using a harmonic oscillator, a system that exhibits simple harmonic motion. Imagine a mass attached to a spring – that’s a harmonic oscillator. In the document, it is referred to as the working fluid, and it’s coupled to two heat reservoirs, one hot and one cold. The [..]

In optoelectronics, there is a constant push towards creating flexible devices. One key element in these devices is thin silver films. However, there is a trade-off between achieving high transparency and maintaining good electrical conductivity when reducing the thickness of these films. Researchers have developed a new process to create ultrathin silver films with high [..]

Optical sensors are crucial for scientific and technological advancements, from detecting faint signals for medical diagnostics to gravitational waves. A longstanding challenge has been improving their sensitivity to detect weak signals amidst noise. Researchers have developed a novel method to enhance the sensitivity of conventional optical sensors using exceptional points (EPs). EPs are specific conditions [..]

Researchers have taken a cue from nature’s most dazzling creatures to develop a new material that can change color quickly. Inspired by the rapid color shifts in creatures like squid and cuttlefish, these color-changing materials use tiny, light-manipulating structures to achieve a full spectrum of brilliant colors. The Challenge Existing color-changing materials often rely on [..]

Adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT) has enabled in vivo cellular imaging of the human retina. This technology has excellent resolution but suffers from noise, making it difficult to see individual cells. However, because imaging noise (e.g., speckle) makes it difficult to see RPE cells from a single volume acquisition, many 3D volumes are typically [..]

A new study investigates the possibilities of a unique pancake optics system for next-generation VR and MR displays. Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) have broadened our perceptual frontiers, allowing for more complex human-digital interactions than typical flat-panel displays. This has resulted in applications for smart education, healthcare, navigation, gaming, entertainment, [..]

Fingerprint scanners have become ubiquitous tools for personal identification. But how exactly do these devices translate your fingertip’s unique ridges and valleys into a recognizable signal? This article delves into the fascinating world of fingerprint scanner technology, exploring the interplay of light, electricity, and even sound waves to achieve secure user authentication. Fingerprint scanners employ [..]

New bioluminescent imaging technology has produced comprehensive images of oxygen movement in mice’s brains, allowing researchers to investigate forms of hypoxia in the brain, such as oxygen deprivation during stroke or heart attack. The approach uses luminous proteins, chemical cousins of bioluminescent proteins found in fireflies. These proteins are produced by a virus in the [..]

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in generating high-quality microwave signals using a tiny photonic chip. This new device can produce low-noise signals using a single laser, overcoming a major hurdle in previous methods requiring multiple lasers and bulky setups. The photonic chip is miniscule, paving the way for its integration into future communication devices. [..]