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Interferometry reveals how black holes are fueled

Interferometry reveals how black holes are fueled

By combining the light of three powerful infrared telescopes, an international research team has observed the active accretion phase of a supermassive black hole in the center of a galaxy tens of millions of light years away, a method that has yielded an unprecedented amount of data for such observations.

Canon eyes robot-only production for cameras

Canon eyes robot-only production for cameras

Camera maker Canon Inc. is moving toward fully automating digital camera production in an effort to cut costs—a key change being played out across Japan, a world leader in robotics. According to the company spokesman, counting on machines can help preserve the country's technological power.

Hubble to use Moon as mirror to see Venus

Hubble to use Moon as mirror to see Venus

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope recently imaged the Moon’s crater Tycho, though not for the purpose of adding to our knowledge of the lunar surface. Instead, the telescope was being prepped for study the last transit of the sun by Venus to occur this century. Because the Hubble can’t look at the sun directly, the Moon will serve as a giant mirror.

Smart sensor could lead to flying 3D eye-bots

Smart sensor could lead to flying 3D eye-bots

Intelligent swarms of aerial drones equipped with high-resolution 3D imaging systems could be a useful tool for police, crisis managers, and urban planners. Special 3D sensors developed engineers in Germany accurately measures distances in three dimensions, prompting speculation that such drones could be developed.

Life-size, 3D hologram-like telepods may change videoconferencing

Life-size, 3D hologram-like telepods may change videoconferencing

Using off-the-shelf parts, a researcher in Canada has created a Star Trek-like human-scale 3D videoconferencing pod that allows people in different locations to video conference as if they are standing in front of each other. Called TeleHuman, the device projects a full body image that is viewable from 360 degrees.

Optical clock signal transmission helps redefine time

Optical clock signal transmission helps redefine time

The title of world’s most accurate clock has been transferred from devices based on the steady oscillations of the cesium atom to clocks based on optical transitions. Before this newfound precision can redefine the second, or lead to new applications like ultra-precise navigation, the system used to communicate time around the globe will need an upgrade. Researchers have recently demonstrated how this could be accomplished.

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter brings “Earthrise” to everyone

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter brings “Earthrise” to everyone

On December 24, 1968, the astronauts aboard Apollo 8 were conducting an extensive photographic survey of the moon’s surface. When they paused to take a navigation sighting, they were shocked to see the Earth “rising” above the lunar surface. Using modern imagery, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has recreated the moment, shortly before the first real photograph was taken.

Webb telescope spinoff technologies appearing in other industries

Webb telescope spinoff technologies appearing in other industries

A critical component of the James Webb Space Telescope is its new technology. Much of the technology for the Webb had to be conceived, designed and built specifically to enable it to see farther back in time. As with many NASA technological advances, some of the innovations are being used to benefit humankind in many other industries.

Microscope captures nanoscale structures in dazzling 3D

Microscope captures nanoscale structures in dazzling 3D

At Brookhaven National Laboratory, a new x-ray microscope is probing the inner intricacies of materials spanning 25 nm, creating unparalleled high-resolution 3D images. By integrating unique automatic calibrations, scientists hope the new transmission X-ray microscope will offer fundamental advances in many fields.

High-Resolution GigE Camera Receives Improvements

High-Resolution GigE Camera Receives Improvements

Lumenera Corp. has engineered several new advancements into its small form factor 11MP gigabit ethernet (GigE) digital camera for industrial and scientific imaging applications.  In particular, the Lg11059 now offers enhanced noise performance and higher bit depth.

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R&D 100: Now and Then

R&D 100: Now and Then

As R&D Magazine prepares for the 50th annual R&D 100 Awards, the editors take a stroll through the awards history, and invite former winners to join them.

R&D 100 Awards: Final Deadline is April 30

R&D 100 Awards: Final Deadline is April 30

The editors of R&D Magazine have extended the submission deadline for the 2012 R&D 100 Awards to April 30, 2012, at 11:59 pm, eastern U.S. time. This is the FINAL DEADLINE. We cannot accept entries after that time.

Lab Design Conference

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Post-conference materials from Lab Design Pittsburgh available

PDF files of all the presentations from the recent Pittsburgh Laboratory Design Conference are now available for purchase on either an individual-use or organizationwide-use basis.

New labs, new philosophies

New labs, new philosophies

R&D Magazine is proud to announce the 2012 Laboratory of the Year winners. These laboratories represent the pinnacle of design and execution in architecture for research and development. New construction facilities dominated this year's competition, but beyond this common theme the top new laboratories of 2012 differed widely in design philosophy.

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