All-fiber ellipsometer for nanoscale dielectric coatings
Measuring the refractive index and the thickness of thin films (films with a thickness from less than a nanometer to several microns) is essential to characterize them and improve the performance of sensors and devices that employ thin films. The mos.....»»
Spectroscopic micro-ellipsometer unveils atomic-level thickness measurements of 2D materials
Two-dimensional (2D) material flakes consist of single to few atomic layers, granting them extraordinary quantum properties, which are not observed in everyday materials. As a result, these materials hold immense potential for both industrial applica.....»»
Breaking symmetry to excite polaritons
Exploiting ultra-confined and highly directional polaritons at the nanoscale is essential for developing integrated nanophotonic devices, circuits and chips. High-symmetry crystals have been extensively studied, with a particular focus on hyperbolic.....»»
Extreme DNA resolution: Spatially multiplexed single-molecule translocations through a nanopore at controlled speeds
Aleksandra Radenovic, head of the Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology in the School of Engineering, has worked for years to improve nanopore technology, which involves passing a molecule like DNA through a tiny pore in a membrane to measure an ionic curr.....»»
Researchers succeed in arranging nanoscale quantum sensors on desired targets
University of Tokyo scientists have achieved the delicate task of arranging quantum sensors at a nanoscale, allowing them to detect extremely small variations in magnetic fields. The high-resolution quantum sensors will have potential uses in quantum.....»»
Quantifying microplastics in Swiss rivers and lakes
Every year, 14,000 tons of plastic end up in Swiss soils and waters, in part in the form of microplastics, which are particles in the micro to millimeter range. Microplastics come from many sources, such as cosmetics or synthetic fiber clothing. The.....»»
Researchers demonstrate noise-free communication with structured light
The patterns of light hold tremendous promise for a large encoding alphabet in optical communications, but progress is hindered by their susceptibility to distortion, such as in atmospheric turbulence or in bent optical fiber......»»
How well toxic elements leach out of coal ash depends on the ash"s nanoscale composition, shows study
Everyone knows that burning coal causes air pollution that is harmful to the climate and human health. But the ash left over can often be harmful as well......»»
Internet users love fiber service—too bad you probably can’t get it
Fiber beats cable and everything else in ACSI customer satisfaction scores. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Yuichiro Chino) Fiber-to-the-home Internet service is the clear favorite of US broadband users, but unfortunatel.....»»
Unveiling the nanoscale frontier: Innovating with nanoporous model electrodes
Researchers at Tohoku University and Tsinghua University have introduced a next-generation model membrane electrode that promises to revolutionize fundamental electrochemical research. This innovative electrode, fabricated through a meticulous proces.....»»
Accelerating nanoscale X-ray imaging of integrated circuits with machine learning
Researchers from MIT and Argonne National Laboratory have developed a machine learning technique that could greatly accelerate the process of nanoscale X-ray imaging of integrated circuits, potentially revolutionizing the way we manufacture and test.....»»
Study presents a new, highly efficient converter of quantum information carriers
Light is a key carrier of information. It enables high-speed data transmission around the world via fiber-optic telecommunication networks. This information-carrying capability can be extended to transmitting quantum information by encoding it in sin.....»»
High-power, high-energy, all-fiber Mamyshev oscillator
High power/energy ultrafast fiber lasers have broadband applications in material processing, medicine, advanced manufacturing and other fields. Compared with solid-state lasers, fiber lasers have the advantages of compact systems, flexibility, good h.....»»
Reading chemicals inside the brain with an aptamer/microelectronic fiber combination
A research group has developed a neural device that detects specific neurotransmitters in the brain with high sensitivity and selectivity by combining multifunctional fibers and DNA molecular probes. Details of the research were published in the jour.....»»
The "invisible" cellulose coatings that mitigate surface transmission of pathogens
Research has shown that a thin cellulose film can inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus within minutes, inhibit the growth of bacteria including E. coli, and mitigate contact transfer of pathogens......»»
Using two fiber-optic cables to track whales as they cruise the Arctic
Fiber-optic cables line the coasts of the continents and crisscross the oceans, carrying signals that are the backbone of communication in the modern world. While their main job is telecommunications, researchers have been exploring ways to use this.....»»
Engineering self-integrated atomic quantum wires to form nano-networks
Quantum advances rely on the production of nanoscale wires that are based on several state-of-the-art nanolithographic technologies, to develop wires via bottom-up synthesis. However, a critical challenge is to grow uniform atomic crystalline wires a.....»»
Experiment demonstrates continuously operating optical fiber made of thin air
Researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) have demonstrated a continuously operating optical fiber made of thin air......»»
Colorado kills law that made it harder for cities to offer Internet service
State law forced cities and towns to hold elections before offering broadband. Enlarge / Spools of fiber conduits for broadband network construction. (credit: Getty Images | Akchamczuk) Colorado yesterday eliminated an 1.....»»
Upcycling method turns textile trash to functional coatings
In an effort to make textiles more sustainable, a new method allows researchers to break old clothing down chemically and reuse polyester compounds to create fire resistant, anti-bacterial or wrinkle-free coatings that could then be applied to clothe.....»»
Towards a sustainable superconductor technology with magnesium diboride super magnets
Magnesium diboride (MgB2) is a low-cost, non-toxic superconductor used in field magnets, electric motors, and generators. However, producing nanoscale boron (B) particles to fabricate MgB2 is expensive. Researchers recently tackled this issue by usin.....»»