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
Arctic sea ice levels are often considered as one of the key indicators of our changing climate. A new NASA mission, ICESat-2, has set out to record this new dimension of information.
By Rebecca Ingle, Ph.D
22 Sep 2021
The impact of methane on the environment and human health is often overlooked. A quantum-enabled gas imaging system that Bristol, UK-based QLM Technology, has developed could aid accurate monitoring of this greenhouse gas.
By Ben Pilkington
21 Sep 2021
AZoOptics is taking a sector-specific look at how optic technology and research tackle key issues highlighted within the IPCC's 2018 Summary for Policymakers and 2021 Physical Science Basis reports.
By Megan Craig
21 Sep 2021
Australian laser heat treating technology pioneer, LaserBond, has just announced a $1 million technology sale to Curtin University, Western Australia. Curtin University will use LaserBond’s innovative laser metal deposition (LMD) system to advance materials development with its capacity for cutting-edge 3D metal printing, laser additive manufacturing, laser welding, and other laser cladding solutions.
The use of carbon nanotubes has exploded in recent years. Raman spectroscopy has emerged as a standard tool for establishing the various unique properties of carbon nanotubes, allowing scientists to develop their use in a growing number of applications.
By Sarah Moore
10 Sep 2021
Brillouin spectroscopy is rapidly becoming an essential complementary method to Raman spectroscopy. In this article, its current implementation and future outlook are discussed.
By Kerry Taylor-Smith
8 Sep 2021