Ultrablack thin-film coating could make next-gen telescopes even better

Sometimes, seeing clearly requires complete black. For astronomy and precision optics, coating devices in black paint can cut down on stray light, enhancing images and boosting performance. For the most advanced telescopes and optical systems, every little bit matters, so their manufacturers seek out the blackest blacks to coat them.

phys.org > Nanomaterials

Harnessing nature's shield: Enhancing sun protection with lignin nanoparticles in cosmetics

Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as promising candidates for enhancing sun protection in cosmetics, offering superior UV-blocking capabilities compared to soluble lignin oligomers. However, the effects of the chemical structures of constituting lignin oligomers in LNPs and the particle size distribution of LNPs need further investigation. Additionally, the raw materials used in these works were mainly technical lignin, whose structures significantly changed during the extraction process, making them unsuitable for studying the structural effect of UV-blocking.

phys.org > Nanomaterials

Flexible AI optoelectronic sensors pave the way for standalone energy-efficient health monitoring devices

From creating images, generating text, and enabling self-driving cars, the potential uses of artificial intelligence (AI) are vast and transformative. However, all this capability comes at a very high energy cost. For instance, estimates indicate that training OPEN AI's popular GPT-3 model consumed over 1,287 MWh, enough to supply an average U.S. household for 120 years.

phys.org > Nanomaterials