In-depth articles written by our editorial team focusing on the latest developments in materials science and technology
Recent collaborative work has found a way to develop infrared LEDs that are tunable to different wavelengths, opening the door to several application opportunities such as important gas sensing in emergency response situations and for detecting off-food in home fridges.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
12 Oct 2021
Recent developments in the methodology of underwater image recovery have made it possible to capture clear images underwater with good contrast and no prior estimation of the variables involved in any underwater scattering processes.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
12 Oct 2021
A recent study has investigated the effect of lasers on the cooking properties of chicken meat in combination with 3D printing.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
11 Oct 2021
Scientists in Japan have uncovered a way of using ultraviolet light to enhance the functionality of solid-state electrolytes in batteries and fuel cells. The research is paving the way to commercial-scale renewable energy systems. AZoOptics takes a closer look.
By Sarah Moore
11 Oct 2021
Scientists have developed a near-infrared (NIR) light technology to safely whiten teeth with gels that have significantly reduced hydrogen peroxide content. This new technology is predicted to usher in a shift in the cosmetic dentistry industry.
By Sarah Moore
8 Oct 2021
Researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology have found an approach to design integrated waveguides for optical parametric amplification that operate in the telecommunication band. This provides a new route to noise-free amplification of optical signals that could be used for a variety of telecommunications applications.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
6 Oct 2021
The 2021 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has highlighted the rate of rapid ice sheet loss, particularly in Greenland, is highly likely to continue. Fiber optic-based methods may be the best approach to tracking ice sheet movement.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
24 Sep 2021
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) uses a focused beam of electrons to image a sample by transmitting the beam through it. Recent work has used TEM to investigate the temperature dependence of the structure of graphene oxide, focusing in particular on the placement of the oxygen atoms around the carbon lattice.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
24 Sep 2021
Raman and infrared spectroscopy are highly complementary analytical tools that are sensitive to the vibrational modes of molecular species or materials. Understanding the behavior of microplastics means being able to characterize their dimensions as particles and also evaluate their chemical composition. Raman spectroscopy and Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) have successfully been used to characterize some particles from environmental samples.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
24 Sep 2021
The immense water-absorbing capacity of hydrogels has made them exciting materials in a number of fields including engineering and biotechnology. It is possible to design ‘smart’ hydrogels, where water-binding properties can be tuned by changing the environmental conditions of the hydrogel, such as by applying a voltage.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
22 Sep 2021