Laser-Based System Detects Fires Even in Dusty, Harsh Environments

A new laser-based system offers an efficient way to detect fires in challenging environments such as industrial facilities or large construction sites.

New Products: January 2020 Photonics & Imaging Technology

Photopolymer films, LED light engines, measurement systems, and more.

Microchip Produces High-Contrast OCT Imagery

For disease diagnosis, a microchip maps the back of the eye.

SPIE Photonics West 2020 Preview

SPIE Photonics West 2020 returns to The Moscone Center in San Francisco, February 1 through February 6

Helping Autonomous Vehicles See Around Corners

A system senses tiny changes in shadows on the ground to determine if there’s a moving object coming around the corner.

Sandia’s Nanoantennas Help Detectors See More Heat, Less Noise

A nanoantenna-enabled detector boosts the usable signal of a thermal infrared camera by up to three times.

Blue Lasers: Leveraging Fundamental Physics for High Performance

Increased laser capacity has enabled, and will continue to enable, new manufacturing possibilities.

Additive Manufacturing of Precision Optics at Micro and Nanoscale

AM is an especially good fit for products that require a high level of customization.

Virtually Optimizing Metasurface Topology with a Genetic Algorithm

See how software supported the design of an advanced antenna.

NASA’s BITSE Solar Scope

NASA and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) recently tested a new way to see the Sun

The Planetary Tides Simulation Facility for Simulation Tidal Strain in Planetary Ice Analogs

Applications include modeling of tidal stress response of icy satellites as well as fatigue of terrestrial ice shelves.

Q&A: A Shape-Morphing, Self-Healing Soft Composite

Have you heard of "Thubber?"

Wirelessly Controlled Ingestible Capsule

This electronic pill can relay diagnostic information or release drugs in response to smartphone commands.

System Allows Diabetics to Monitor Blood Sugar Without Drawing Blood

The self-contained technology is similar to the smart watches that monitor heart rate.

Thin Heat Shield for Superfast Aircraft

A carbon nanotube heat shield can better protect extremely fast aircraft.

Flow Disruption Devices for the Reduction of High Lift System Noise

This technique lowers airstream noise generated at the side edges of deployed flaps, elevons, or slats.

Shape Sensing Innovations Dramatically Improve Structural Design Tools

These advances are useful for transportation, infrastructure, and aerospace.

NASA's Thirst for Water on Mars Quenched by Student Innovators

NASA and universities from across the country are teaming up to support a continued human presence on the Moon and ultimately Mars.

Environmental Barrier Coatings for Ceramic Matrix Composites

These barrier coatings protect high-performance components in extreme environments.

Environmentally Friendly Process for Battery Recycling

A solvent leaches cobalt and lithium for reuse from spent batteries.

Facility Focus: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

See how NOAA provides daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, climate monitoring, and more.

Acoustic Interactions Change Materials at the Atomic Level

Interaction of sound and light reveals new information of a crystal's quantum properties.

Robotic “Cockroach” Explores Underwater Environments

This microbot can walk on land, swim, and walk underwater.

Catalysis Approach Reduces Carbon Dioxide to Methane

This approach is a cost-effective way to convert carbon dioxide gas into methane.

Micro Device Detects Ebola Virus Using Bio-Sensors

The device can be used to pre-screen for the virus using gene-editing assays before those infected can travel and expose others.

Design Treatment for Advanced Metals Enables Easier Machining

Applying a surface-active agent makes metal easier to cut and shape into parts and pieces.

Recovery of Mercury and Rare Earth Elements from Fluorescent Lamp Phosphors

This method will enable safer fluorescent light recycling.

Power System for Hybrid Heavy-Duty Trucks

Electric motors and gas-alcohol engines could slash pollution levels and greenhouse gases from long-haul trucks.

5 Ws of 3D Modeling for the Visually Impaired

A touch-based display mimics the geometry of 3D objects designed on a computer.

Ruthenium-Doped Thermoelectric Materials

These robust materials convert excess heat energy into electricity.

Breathable Electronic Skin Using Nanofiber Substrate

This electronic skin can track heart rate, respiration, muscle movement, and other health data.

Optical Window for Far-IR Instruments Using Thin TOPAS® Film

This thin film can be used for ground-based and airborne applications in aircraft, balloons, and other flight missions.

New on the Market: January 2020

Processors, imaging sensors, dimensioning systems, and more.

Dynamic Mechanical Strain-Induced Temperature Gradient Coating

The non-destructive coating has applications in structural health monitoring, aerospace, automotive, and military/defense.

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): Methylotrophic Microorganisms Expressing Soluble Methane Monooxygenase Proteins

This technology enables methane metabolism by yeast.

In-House PCB Prototyping with Additive Manufacturing

If you want to pursue in-house PCB prototyping and testing, there are several routes you can take.

Products of Tomorrow: January 2020

Heartbeat-based biometrics, sonic-boom displays, and an artificial leaf.

SiC-Based Microstructures for Sensors

Ultra-thin SiC microstructures enable batch fabrication of MEMS, NEMS, pressure sensors, and biosensors.

Modular Toolbox Builds Safe Robots

Various components are used to assemble robots that are more aware of their surroundings.

Viable, Environmentally Friendly Alternative to Polystyrene Foam

This plant-based material can be manufactured using water as a solvent instead of other harmful solvents.

Hardening Lightweight Metal Foams with Nanocoating

Load-bearing structures in cars and airplanes could be manufactured from the metal foam.

Process Turns Sand and Plant Materials into a Water Filtration Tool

According to the United Nations, 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and the majority live in developing nations. A process was...

Vibration Isolator Steadies Optics for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope

Isolators used to control semiconductor manufacturing keep the James Webb Space Telescope steady.

Particle Robot Works as a Cluster of Simple Units

Loosely connected disc-shaped “particles” can push and pull one another, moving together to transport objects.

Wireless Sensor “Stickers” Track Physiological Signals

These stickers wirelessly beam health readings to a receiver clipped onto clothing.

Five Techniques for Lightweighting: Doing More With Less

Manufacturers in almost every industry are looking to design lighter parts. Here are five lightweighting strategies.

Pinpointing Consumption “Sweet Spot” Makes Formation Flight More Fuel-Efficient

A new method of estimating the optimal trailing aircraft position in a formation increases fuel savings.

CubeSat Form Factor Thermal Control Louvers

These louvers provide passive thermal cooling for CubeSats.

Magneto-Optic Biosensor Using Bio-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles

This technology is a novel, rugged, and economic diagnostic and sensor platform technology.

Microrobot Powered by Soft Muscles

This microrobot with soft actuators can crash, fall, and collide without being damaged.

Robot Performs Complex Maneuvers

An upgraded mini robot can leap over obstacles with ease.

Product of the Month: January 2020 Tech Briefs

Vitrek introduces the PA920 Series ultra-high-accuracy power analyzer.

Answering Your Questions: How to Confirm Metal 3D Printing Accuracy and Quality

As additive manufacturing supports the creation of critical metal parts, designers need to know that the parts are high-quality.

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives

A fun way to show the robustness of a soft robot? Swat it.

CES 2020: A High-Tech Wine Dispenser and More Arrivals to the Smart Home

Here are five technologies that aim to add intelligence to the most surprising household objects.

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly

Stuck in traffic? The Pegasus flying car can get you out of there.

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up

NASA came to CES with a message: We're going back to the Moon, and we'll need help from industry to do it.

3D Printing and Space Exploration: How NASA Will Use Additive Manufacturing

NASA is using the International Space Station as a testbed for 3D printing.

A Boost for Aqueous Lithium Ion-Batteries: Adding an Oxide

To improve the aqueous lithium-ion battery, RPI researchers tried out niobium tungsten oxide.

New Coating 'Confuses' Infrared Cameras by Hiding Temperature Changes

"View it as an infrared privacy shield," says Professor Mikhail Kats.

Laser Pulse Creates Frequency Doubling in Amorphous Dielectric Material

Researchers have demonstrated a new all-optical technique for creating robust second-order nonlinear effects in materials that don’t normally support them. Using a...

Tests Measure Solar Panel Performance Beyond Established Standards

Photovoltaics used in solar panels are sensitive to environmental factors and often suffer degradation over time. International Electrotechnical Commission standards for...

Simulated Image Demonstrates Power of Nasa's Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope

Imagine a fleet of 100 Hubble Space Telescopes, deployed in a strategic space-invader-shaped array a million miles from Earth, scanning the universe at...

New Products: January 2020 Photonics & Imaging Insider

SWIR Camera

Princeton Infrared Technologies, Inc. (PIRT) (Monmouth Junction, NJ) will be introducing its new compact MVCam series shortwave-infrared (SWIR) and visible camera...

The Next Building Material for Mars: Fungi?

When astronauts arrive on the Moon, their habitat may be one made out of fungi.

Tractionless Motion is Possible

Cells are observed to “crawl” by attaching themselves to a surface and using these anchor points to push themselves forward (like crawling on the ground). Scientists have identified a different...

VIPER Rover to Map Lunar Water Ice

An engineering model of the VIPER lunar rover is being tested at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. About the size of a golf cart, VIPER is a mobile robot that will roam around the Moon’s South Pole...

A Soft Robot That Can Maintain Its Temperature? No Sweat!

Cornell researcher T.J. Wallin explains what's so cool about a robot that sweats.