How high-precision optics enabled detection of gravitational waves and a new view of the universe. Read more at SPIE Professional (cover story!) … (re-purposed from SPIE News, April 2016)
New materials and innovative synthesis methods address problems with solar cell efficiency and cost. 
DOE User Facility lets postdocs develop expertise in broad-reaching research and applicable techniques. Read more 
Heat-induced migration of metal contacts is one culprit behind the degradation that plagues otherwise efficient perovskite solar cells. 
Photonics technologies being developed for probing the universe are leading to better commercial products. 
Developments in snapshot imaging and computational processing improve resolution at unprecedented frame rates. 
New regulations on unique device identifiers for medical equipment and implants are being phased in by the US Food and Drug Administration, including codes best marked with a laser. 
Mixed metal oxide alloys play an important role as substrates and catalysts for many energy conversion and storage applications. Until now, making multi-element solid solutions with precise compositions has eluded current synthesis techniques. 
The first detection of a gravitational wave depended on large surfaces with excellent flatness, combined with low microroughness and the ability to mitigate environmental noise. 
The key to producing an anisotropic tungsten metal foam is starting with a non-metallic oxide powder, and reducing it to metal before densifying the final structure. Outlets
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