Nanomedicine Research update A nanosensor to detect epileptic seizures Highly sensitive device is the first to detect changes in potassium ion levels in the brains of freely moving mice Read article: A nanosensor to detect epileptic seizures
Business and innovation News Physicists come top in ‘deep tech’ start-up challenge Spectroscopy specialists Senorics and milk-analysis firm Labby take first and second prize in the annual Photonics West competition Read article: Physicists come top in ‘deep tech’ start-up challenge
Devices and structures Research update Transparent graphene photodetectors make advanced 3D camera New device might find applications in bioimaging, driverless cars and robotics Read article: Transparent graphene photodetectors make advanced 3D camera
Spectroscopy Research update Infrared spectroscopy reveals molecular ‘fingerprints’ New technique detects substances at much lower concentrations than standard methods, including samples in water Read article: Infrared spectroscopy reveals molecular ‘fingerprints’
Advanced materials Research update Deep traps add memory to mechanoluminescent materials Materials that "remember" when and where they experienced mechanical stresses divulge their history under a laser spotlight Read article: Deep traps add memory to mechanoluminescent materials
Fabrication and process Research update Plasmonic nanocubes make an ultrafast thermal camera New multispectral photodetector could find applications in medicine, food safety and precision agriculture Read article: Plasmonic nanocubes make an ultrafast thermal camera
Detectors and sensors Research update Optical fibre device can detect micro-pollutants in real time Hollow-core photonic crystal fibre can measure and identify hazardous micrometre-sized airborne pollutants Read article: Optical fibre device can detect micro-pollutants in real time
Nanomaterials Research update Single-nanowires make powerful spectrometers Nanoscale spectrometers prove to be as efficient as commercial instruments Read article: Single-nanowires make powerful spectrometers
Polymers Research update Optical lace could make a ‘nervous system’ for robots New fibrous material could allow robots to feel touch and sense how they interact with their environment Read article: Optical lace could make a ‘nervous system’ for robots
Quantum mechanics Research update To catch a quantum jump A new experiment intercepts a quantum leap as it is occurring – something deemed impossible until now Read article: To catch a quantum jump