Drawing inspiration from maple tree seeds—also called samara wings, which glide to the ground through the wind—an international team of researchers has developed a light-controlled robot poised to revolutionize applications including environmental monitoring.
Potentially anything from microscopy to quantum communications could benefit from a new approach to fixing light distortions. Researchers in South Africa can now send a patterned light through obstructions without distorting the message.
Using optomechanical systems, a team in Denmark has developed a tiny quantum memory drum that could replace platforms like atomic ensembles and rare-earth ion-doped crystals, in turn advancing quantum communications.
