Electronic displays are ever-present in modern society. It is estimated around 7.1 billion people carry them in their pockets daily. Smartphones have become so ubiquitous that their ingenuity is often overlooked. For example, a six-inch Quad HD smartphone can provide pixel densities of up to 600 pixels per inch (PPI), double the value the human eye can distinguish detail at a normal viewing distance. Beyond astounding image clarity and fidelity, modern electronic displays offer rapid refresh rates (+120Hz), high dynamic range (HDR) support, in-display fingerprint sensors, flexible substrates, and more. Still, demand continues to grow.
Clean energy could be verging on a revolution. In recent years, mainstream solar companies have invested increasingly significant sums in commissioning new pilot production lines. The goal is to realize commercial-scale manufacturing of novel perovskite solar cells.
Evidence as small as flakes of paint can be fundamentally important in forensic investigations. Every paint chip has its origin. So, by analyzing a paint chip, a connection can be made back to its starting point, which can provide vital evidence for forensics. Color analysis by microspectrophotometry is a critical technique for paint chip examinations. These analytical devices examine light absorption or reflectance spectra to determine the complete UV-visible-NIR spectrum of the sample. Beyond the exact color of the chip, it can also provide insights into its chemical make-up, age, and other attributes. From this information, it can be ascertained where the paint chip has come from and if it is of evidentiary value.
Cosmic exploration holds a unique place in the human psyche. It routinely pushes the boundaries of our understanding, and also of our technical capabilities. Although astronomy is largely concerned with queries and observations on a vast scale, many key insights come from the smallest possible components. Often the intricate details of the universe's composition are hidden in the tiniest particles.
Ever wondered why a butterfly's wings shimmer with iridescent hues or a peacock's feathers display a dazzling array of colors? Unlike pigments, which absorb and reflect specific wavelengths of light, these vibrant tones arise from a fascinating phenomenon known as structural color. These colors are vivid, dynamic, and can display properties such as iridescence, changing appearance when viewed from different angles.