US Congress acts to avert helium shortage
The US Congress, entrenched in a titanic budget battle, managed to come together Thursday to pass legislation that prevents a market shortage of helium.
Materials Science
Sep 26, 2013
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News tagged with optical elements
All in the eyes: Disney Research demos technology for richly expressive 3D printed eyes
Face-to-face communication begins with the eyes, a crucial factor in the design of interactive physical characters. By employing 3D printing, Disney Research, Pittsburgh has developed a new technology that is uniquely expressive, ...
Computer Sciences
Jul 19, 2013
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Bringing color to solar facades
Until now, designers of buildings have no choice but to use black or bluish-gray colored solar panels. With the help of thin-film technologies, researchers have now been able to turn solar cells into colorful creations.
Energy & Green Tech
Jul 1, 2013
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Microstructures made of adjoining semiconductor disks could lead to powerful nanoscale sensors
Many users of microwave ovens have had the frightening experience of leaving a fork, crumpled piece of aluminum foil or some other pointy metal item inside the cooking chamber. The sharp metal object acts as an antenna for ...
Condensed Matter
Mar 27, 2013
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Phase-change material with unexpected optical-reflectivity properties offers fresh perspectives for data storage
Memory is a central component of any computer or mobile device. Digital memories must not only store large amounts of data in a small space—and in a way that it is conveniently written, read and erased—but also meet ever-increasing ...
Condensed Matter
Jan 16, 2013
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Astronomers pin down origins of 'mile markers' for expansion of universe
(Phys.org)—A study using a unique new instrument on the world's largest optical telescope has revealed the likely origins of especially bright supernovae that astronomers use as easy-to-spot "mile markers" to measure the ...
Astronomy
Nov 19, 2012
3
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Photonic gels are colorful sensors
(Phys.org)—Materials scientists at Rice University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created very thin color-changing films that may serve as part of inexpensive sensors for food spoilage or security, ...
Nanophysics
Oct 10, 2012
1
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Disney's magical vision calls for 3-D printed optical elements (w/ Video)
(Phys.org)—Disney Research is serious about mixing science with play and pushing further into imaginative results with 3-D printing. A research paper, "Printed Optics: 3D Printing of Embedded Optical Elements for Interactive ...
Faster signal storage and optical processing in nanomachined devices edge closer to realization
A system that has only two possible stable states, such as a light switch, is called bistable by scientists and engineers. Bistability in microscale devices could pave the way to compact optical switching and memory elements. ...
Optics & Photonics
Sep 12, 2012
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ALMA reveals constituent of a galaxy at 12.4 billion light-years away
An international research team, led by Associate Professor Tohru Nagao from Kyoto University, and including researchers from Japan and Europe, has observed a "submillimeter galaxy" located about 12.4 billion light-years away ...
Astronomy
Jun 22, 2012
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