Sensores

The decision to do business in China presents complex challenges for many companies in the European Union (EU) and the U.S.

China now leads in 37 out of the 44 technologies listed on the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Critical Technology Tracker1. Sectors in which China has a nominal lead include photonic sensors, photovoltaics, and advanced optical communications, among others. In addition, China offers significant market opportunities, manufacturing capabilities, cost-effective production, and supply chain efficiencies. Many photonics companies rely on Chinese suppliers for components, which makes it difficult for these companies to entirely sever ties with the country.

China’s role in the global economy...

There are many roadblocks that can arise on the roadway to scientific discovery. Money always seems to be a big factor. When the well runs dry, so does access to the lab. But besides the almighty dollar, the other major obstacle faced by researchers trying to make a name for themselves is time.

Although someone might get lucky once in a while and stumble on a discovery immediately, most researchers understand that they are in it for the long haul. Some work for decades before they make the breakthrough that they have been pursuing since they first applied for their doctorate. And this isn’t at all the fault of the researcher, especially if they are not equipped with the right tools or materials to get the job done. Often, it is...

A study conducted by Mass Eye and Ear, the Broad Institute at MIT, and Harvard Medical School has demonstrated links between the thinning of different retinal layers and an increased risk of disease. The work used OCT retinal images and genetic data from thousands of UK Biobank participants and could serve to advance the use of OCT to predict ocular disease and inspire further research on disease prediction beyond the eye.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 44,000 UK Biobank participants who underwent OCT retinal imaging and genotyping in 2010. The participants were subsequently followed for an average of 10 years.

The team performed a cross-phenotype analysis using OCT images from the UK Biobank and identified...

Quantum computing company IonQ reported that it has hit a target milestone of 35 algorithmic qubits a year ahead of schedule. IonQ’s systems are now capable of new tasks in quantum machine learning and quantum chemistry. The milestone was achieved on the trapped ion-based IonQ Forte platform through hardware and software improvements, including increased qubit count, improved optical detection hardware, and an optimized quantum program compiler.
A side view of an IonQ Forte evaporated glass ion trap chip. IonQ recently achieved its 35 algorithmic qubit benchmark a year ahead of schedule, the company said. Courtesy of IonQ.
The single number algorithmic qubit (#AQ) benchmark was derived from algorithmic benchmarking protocols...

During a ceremony yesterday at SPIE Photonics West, TRAQC was named as the winner of the $10,000 top prize at the 14th annual SPIE Startup Challenge. Their real-time inspection solution for the printed electronics industry uses terahertz radiation and metamaterial technology to ensure quality while reducing waste.
(From left) Jenoptik’s Ralf Kuschnereit, TRAQC's Benjamin Dringoli, and 2024 SPIE President Jennifer Barton. Courtesy of SPIE.
ClearVision, developer of a noninvasive alternative to permanent vision-correction surgeries based on corneal sculpting with femtosecond laser technology, received $5,000 for second place. UriMetrics came in third, winning $2,500 for their lens-free imaging solution for reducing the incidence...

Quantum computing technology developer ORCA Computing has acquired the Integrated Photonics Division of GXC, a provider of private cellular network solutions. The division has provided advanced photonics solutions to top U.S. commercial and governmental agencies. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition, ORCA said, bypasses years of investment and exploration of integrated photonics materials. Through the acquisition, ORCA will bring to market hybrid photonic materials, enhancing the performance of current PT Series products toward scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Following the sale, GXC will transfer its photonics-related assets to ORCA Computing, including intellectual property and existing technology....

Laser technology startup Femtum has closed a 5 million CAD ($3.7 million) seed round. The funding accelerates its commercialization of mid-IR fiber lasers tailored to semiconductor manufacturing processes. Femtum is a 2017 spinout of the University Laval’s Center for Optics, Photonics and Lasers, co-founded by CEO Louis-Rafaël Robichaud and CTO Simon Duval.
Femtum company founders Simon Duval, CTO (left) and Louis-Rafaël Robichaud, CEO (right). Courtesy of Sabina Kopica.
The funding was co-led by ELAS Technology Investment, a German high-tech fund specializing in photonics, and i4 Capital, a Canadian deep-tech fund. Additional contributors include Quantacet, Boreal Ventures, and Eureka, along with photonic technology...

IDS Imaging Development Systems has appointed Michael Berger as its managing director, replacing founder and shareholder Jürgen Hartmann who served on the management board for 27 years. Hartmann will act as chief innovation manager for the business. Berger most recently served as general manager of VARTA AG's lithium ion cell and solutions division. Additionally, the company named Jan Hartmann as head of finance, HR, IT, and Business Innovation & Ecosystem. Alexander Lewinsky will take over development in addition to his previous responsibilities in operations.
IDS Imaging managing director Michael Berger (pictured) has taken over management duties for company founder Jürgen Hartmann, who will serve as chief innovation...

SMART Photonics, a foundry for photonic integrated circuits, has scaled up its production of photonic chips by transferring its entire production capability from 3-inch to 4-inch wafer substrates. According to the company, SMART Photonics is among the first photonic integrated circuit foundries offering 4-inch indium phosphide wafer production.

In general, 4-inch wafers contain close to twice the number of chips as 3-inch wafers. The resulting increase in production rate will translate to a lower price-per-chip, the company said.
SMART Photonics has transferred its production capability from 3-inch wafers to 4-inch wafers. The larger wafers contain close to double the number of chips as 3-inch wafers. Courtesy of SMART Photonics....

A recent discovery from the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), could enable faster and more efficient magnetic hard drives by using ultrafast laser pulses to process data. The findings could significantly reduce energy consumption for data centers.

The current hard drives used in data centers, while much cheaper than solid-state drives used by many commercial devices, are much slower and consume a lot of energy because they use a magnetic field to conduct heat through a wire coil each time an information bit is processed.

The research work at UC Davis sought to test whether domain walls in certain multilayered ferromagnets could remain stable at speeds >10 km/s — a speed that scientists recently predicted was...

TRUMPF is collaborating with European space-travel startup The Exploration Company on the construction of core components for spacecrafts designed for missions in the Earth’s orbit and to the moon. As early as the spring of 2024, The Exploration Company will use 3D printers from TRUMPF to print core components of the Huracán and Mistral engines for the Nyx Earth and Nyx Moon spacecraft in Planegg, Germany, near Munich.
The Exploration Company will use 3D printers from TRUMPF to produce core components for the propulsion systems of its Nyx spacecrafts, which it plans to send on missions in the Earth’s orbit, as well as missions to the moon. Courtesy of The Exploration Company.
According to Tobias Brune, responsible...

Quantum information company Infleqtion has acquired two integrated silicon photonics companies: SiNoptiq Inc. and Morton Photonics Inc. The acquisitions serve to expedite Infleqtion’s plans for chip-scale integration of lasers and atomic systems used for quantum sensing and computing, as well as to bolster its supply chain and manufacturing.

SiNoptiq is a developer of ultra-low loss photonic solutions based on silicon nitride. The company is headed by Dan Blumenthal, who will join Infleqtion as Chief Photonics Architect. Blumenthal will continue in his role as distinguished professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the Terabit Optical Ethernet Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

...

A research team at the Tokyo University of Science (TUS) has combined NIR hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) and machine learning to assess lipid content in the liver. The technique enables noninvasive diagnosis of steatotic liver disease (SLD), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which includes a range of conditions caused by fat buildup in the liver due to abnormal lipid metabolism.

Conventional testing for SLD has relied on performing biopsies, in which a tissue sample is taken from the liver for analysis. The method developed by TUS professor Kohei Soga and his team uses NIR light to visualize lipid content in the liver. NIR wavelengths can be used to identify fat distribution in the liver because they are long...

Researchers at UCLA have developed a focal plane array (FPA) capable of supporting real-time multispectral terahertz (THz) video in 3D. According to the team, led by UCLA professors Mona Jarrahi and Aydogan Ozcan, this is the first time a terahertz imaging system has been able to achieve real-time multispectral imaging with video capability while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

The terahertz spectrum is desirable due to its ability to penetrate opaque materials and provide unique spectral information on various chemicals, but practical implementation of this spectral region has been limited due to the slow speeds, high costs, and general complexity of current imaging systems. The problem, the researchers said, is the...

High-technology company TRUMPF plans to build a production facility in Pune, India. The company intends to invest €5 million ($5.4 million) in the facility, which will begin production later this year. The facility is expected to produce 300 bending and cutting machines annually. Additionally, TRUMPF has plans to add a showroom in Bengaluru to strengthen service in the region. TRUMPF will produce 300 cutting and bending machines per year at a new production facility in Pune, India. Courtesy of TRUMPF.
BASEL, Switzerland — Bruker Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Swiss automated laboratory R&D provider Chemspeed Technologies. Chemspeed is focused on modular automation and robotics solutions for...

Photonic quantum computing company PsiQuantum, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Mitsubishi Chemical, has launched a partnership to design energy-efficient materials on PsiQuantum’s fault-tolerant quantum computer. The joint research project aims to simulate excited states of photochromic molecules — specifically diarylethenes used for energy-efficient photoswitching applications. Photochromic molecules have widespread industrial and residential potential applications, such as the development of smart windows, energy-efficient data storage, solar energy storage, and solar cells.

Since predicting the optical properties of materials requires complex analysis of excited states, standard algorithmic techniques for...

Robert Franz has been appointed CEO of machine vision company SVS-Vistek. Franz also serves as group CEO for the German 2D vision companies within the TKH Group, which includes SVS-Vistek. He was appointed CEO of Allied Vision last year.
Robert Franz now serves as CEO of SVS-Vistek, in addition to his role of group CEO of the German 2D vision companies within the TKH Group. Franz also serves as Allied Vision’s CEO. Courtesy of SVS-Vistek. In the new role, Franz will aim to optimize the collaboration of the TKH 2D Vision companies, including industry leaders Allied Vision, Chromasens, Euresys, NET, and SVS-Vistek. Sales activities under the leadership of Björn Krasemann, CCO and chief sales officer for SVS-Vistek and Allied...

Laser technology startup Enlightra has collaborated with DESY Hamburg to develop comb lasers that are more stable and efficient by design. The work demonstrated microresonators with programmable synthetic reflection, providing tailored injection feedback to the driving laser. The technology is a marked improvement compared to conventional self-injection locking, and can be produced using standard lithographic production.

Comb lasers are sources of multiple colors with equidistant spacing ranging from 100 GHz to 1 THz. The technology is highly valuable for optical communications to achieve the data necessary of AI applications.
The key components of Enlightra's laser comb. A conventional distributed feedback laser (left)....

Abnormalities in white blood cell count are indicative of a blood disorder. Measuring these abnormalities is imperative. However, the use of flow cytometry and other conventional methods to assess white blood cell concentration is confined to hospital and laboratory settings due to the bulkiness and complexity of the equipment.

Access to such equipment in remote areas presents challenges concerning early diagnosis for patients. Portable blood cell analyzers could alleviate these challenges and enable an earlier start on treatment.

Researchers at Harbin Institute of Technology, Peking University, and the Beijing Institute of Collaborative Innovation developed a Smart Palm-sized Optofluidic Hematology Analyzer for automated,...

LaCroix Precision Optics has added optical assembly and design departments in a move that the company said solidifies its status as a vertically integrated optics firm. According to LaCroix president Kirk Warden, the added capabilities enable LaCroix to be involved from the system and product design through the assembly phase, reducing the time that it takes to move a product to market.

LaCroix specializes in manufacturing precision optics, including spherical lenses, aspheres, achromats, windows, wedges, prisms, and custom optical coatings.