From The Editor

  1. Unlocking Antarctica's Secrets With The Power Of LiDAR 2/26/2024

    Antarctica presents unique challenges and opportunities for scientific exploration. LiDAR technology has revolutionized research in Antarctica, enabling detailed mapping of ice sheets, topography, and ecosystems, contributing to our understanding of climate change, krill distribution, and Sun-Earth interactions. Studies utilizing LiDAR have uncovered ancient fossils, underground lakes, and surprising geological features, while also aiding in infrastructure assessment and human exploration efforts in this remote and extreme environment.

  2. Double Vision A Look At Machine And Computer Vision 2/15/2024

    Simply put, machine vision is a technology that gives industrial equipment the ability to “see” what it is doing while computer vision is an AI that processes and visualizes information, much like a human would. But things in this life aren’t always simple, are they?

  3. 6 Microscopy Stories 10 Minutes 2/5/2024

    Inspired by a radio show inspired by a theater troupe, we look at six microscopy-related stories in what Google tells me should take 8.3 minutes to read. Your mileage may vary.

  4. John Bell, Quantum, And Faster Communication 1/30/2024

    Scientists from Russia and China have achieved a significant quantum communication milestone by establishing a secure link over a distance of nearly 2,400 miles utilizing China's quantum satellite, Mozi. Highly secure due to its resistance to hacking, quantum communication holds potential applications in fields like finance, government, and defense.

  5. China, U.S. Launch “Doppelganger” Secretive Spaceplanes Within Weeks Of Each Other 1/26/2024

    In December 2023, the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B and China's Shenlong were launched. Both spaceplanes are shrouded in secrecy, though amateur trackers report Shenlong released six objects into orbit, fueling concerns about potential space warfare and the strategic implications of these developments. The secrecy surrounding both spaceplanes and their potential for espionage and conflict in space raises concerns about the vulnerability of the global commons in space.

  6. Love In The Lab: 3 Couples Who Were More Than Just Lab Partners 1/24/2024

    When the scientist in Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me With Science” exclaimed, “Good heavens, Miss Sakamoto, you're beautiful!” it didn’t mark the first time love found its way into a lab. Couples have been mixing amor and research for centuries and here, we take a look at five famous pairings – some of which resulted in Nobel Prizes!

  7. Hyperspectral Imaging And Agriculture (Or How To Pick The Perfect Pepper) 1/23/2024

    A method of classifying the ripeness of peppers using hyperspectral imaging was in the news recently but the technology has been a part of the agriculture industry for decades. Learn more about this non-invasive technique that can determine a pepper's firmness and a whole lot more.

  8. Metrology In Photonics: Standardization, Calibration, And Quality Control 1/18/2024

    Some consider metrology to be the oldest science with its origins dating back to the earliest civilizations. It has evolved over the years, from cubits to sundials to atomic clocks. Let’s take a look at this science, specifically optical measurement techniques.

  9. The Crucial Role Of Scientific Cameras In Biophotonics 1/10/2024

    Scientific cameras are pivotal in biophotonics, enabling high-resolution imaging, spectral analysis, time-lapse observation, and quantitative analysis of biological processes from cellular to molecular levels. They empower diverse applications, from capturing dynamic events in microseconds to non-invasively studying biological structures, playing a critical role in advancing fields like medicine, biology, environmental science, and agriculture through their tailored functionalities for specific scientific needs.

  10. Advance Your Skills, Advance Your Career At SPIE Photonics West 1/4/2024

    SPIE Photonics West 2024 – the world’s largest photonics technologies event – takes place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from January 27 to February 1. Come and network with over 20,000 researchers, innovators, engineers, and business leaders from across the globe for an engaging week of research sharing, collaboration forming, and innovation-inspiring exchanges.