Physicists harness quantum “time reversal” to measure vibrating atoms
A new technique could improve the precision of atomic clocks and of quantum sensors for detecting dark matter or gravitational waves.
Robotic lightning bugs take flight
Inspired by fireflies, researchers create insect-scale robots that can emit light when they fly, which enables motion tracking and communication.
Engineers build LEGO-like artificial intelligence chip
The new design is stackable and reconfigurable, for swapping out and building on existing sensors and neural network processors.
Astronomers snap first-ever image of supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*
The image reveals a glowing, donut-shaped ring at the Milky Way’s heart.
Astronomers discover a rare “black widow” binary, with the shortest orbit yet
The system is orbited by third stellar companion and may have originated near the center of the Milky Way.
Physicists find direct evidence of strong electron correlation in a 2D material for the first time
The discovery could help researchers engineer exotic electrical states such as unconventional superconductivity.
More sensitive X-ray imaging
Improvements in the material that converts X-rays into light, for medical or industrial images, could allow a tenfold signal enhancement.
Light could boost performance of fuel cells, lithium batteries, and other devices
With many devices depending on the motion of ions, light could be used as a switch to turn ion motion on and off.
Physicists detect a hybrid particle held together by uniquely intense “glue”
The discovery could offer a route to smaller, faster electronic devices.
Physicists watch as ultracold atoms form a crystal of quantum tornadoes
The new observations record a key crossover from classical to quantum behavior.
How ultracold, superdense atoms become invisible
A new study confirms that as atoms are chilled and squeezed to extremes, their ability to scatter light is suppressed.
A new way to generate light using pre-existing defects in semiconductors
SMART researchers demonstrate a practical way to make indium gallium nitride LEDs with considerably higher indium concentration.
3D printing tiny parts for big impact
Professor Nicholas Fang’s startup Boston Micro Fabrication uses a novel light-focusing method to make ultraprecise printers.
Materials breakthrough enables twistronics for bulk systems
SMART findings allow a new way to control light emitting from materials.
Nano flashlight enables new applications of light
Design of miniature optical systems could lead to future cell phones that can detect viruses and more.