From The Editor

31. Bright Ideas — “Optrodes” Could Revolutionize Prosthetics, Luminar Lidar Hits Production 11/9/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in optics and photonics. This week, NASA finally pins down a launch date for Artemis I Moon Mission, Luminar lidar hits the production lines, "optrodes" signal possible shift in development of prosthetic limbs. 

32. Bright Ideas — Quantum Inertial Sensors Could Save Communications, China To Open First Photonic Chip Fab 10/26/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in optics and photonics. This week, China is reportedly ready to break ground on the nation's first photonic chip manufacturing facility. And one researcher and his team at Sandia are trying to transform bulky quantum inertial sensors into smaller, more rugged packages to back up lost GPS signals. 

33. Bright Ideas — Two In Vivo Solutions Offer Quicker, Better Cancer Detection, Booz Allen Hamiton Invests In DEWs 10/19/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in optics and photonics. This week, two new in vivo solutions show promise for early or more accurate cancer detection. Plus, Booz Allen Hamilton invests in direct energy weapons (DEWs) with the creation of its new HELworks business unit. 

34. Bright Ideas — $100B Investment To Build Largest US Semiconductor Fab, This State Is The Next Quantum Computing Hub 10/12/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in optics and photonics. This week, New York welcomed a promised $100 billion, 20-plus-year investment from Micron Technologies to build what it says will be the largest semiconductor manufacturing facility in the U.S. Plus, this southern state is now home to a quantum computing hub. 

35. Bright Ideas — NASA's DART Deemed A Success, Cockroaches Get Their Comeuppance 10/5/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in optics and photonics. This week, NASA's first attempt at using kinetic force for planetary defense was a success — and it was caught on camera by two of the most reputable space telescopes. Plus, researchers try once and for all to rid the world of cockroaches — with lasers. 

36. The Current State And Outlook Of Directed Energy Weapons 9/30/2022

    From high-energy lasers to high-power radio frequency devices and more, directed energy weapons are increasingly ubiquitous. But what are these technologies, and how are they changing the way the military operates?

37. Bright Ideas — Wearable Sensors Find Success But Still Prove Problematic 9/28/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in optics and photonics. Wearable sensors continue to astound and befuddle, with some finding success as far away as outer space and some continuing to struggle here on Earth for decades. Plus, Jupiter and Neptune get new pics with the help of JunoCam and the James Webb Space Telescope. 

38. Bright Ideas — Defense Prime CEOs Sanctioned By China, DARPA To Give Small Biz 'Classified' Access 9/21/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, China sanctioned two defense prime contractors' CEOs, DARPA opens a new program to give small businesses access to classified endeavors, and SPIE Startup Challenge is now accepting applications. 

39. Bright Ideas — Nuclear Fusion Yields 100 Million K and Lasts 20 Seconds, AI Boosts Fluorescence Microscopy 9/14/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, scientists demonstrate nuclear fusion at 100 million Kelvin and for 20 seconds — at the same time, for the first time. Plus, biophysicists are speeding up fluorescence microscopy with AI, a new 3D-printed wearable device is helping lupus patients, and the LLNL wins three R&D awards. 

40. Bright Ideas — Artemis Approaches Liftoff, JWST Sees CO2, And Optical Tweezers To Control Drug Delivery 8/31/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, NASA has its time in the sun — err, moon? — as Artemis I inches toward launch and the JWST finds CO2 for the first time on an exoplanet. Plus, optical tweezers are being used to coax along white blood cells that could one day be used to help deliver drugs.