SUITA, Japan, April 22, 2019 — When researchers at Osaka University measured the optical birefringence of highly aligned cellulose nanofibers, they found that cellulose’s intrinsic birefringence could be powerful enough to be used in optical displays. For its experiments, the team used unidirectionally aligned cellulose nanofiber films that it created by stretching hydrogels from nata de coco (a jelly-like food produced from coconut water) at different rates. The nata de coco nanofibers allowed a straight line of cellulose chains to be formed at the molecular level, which helped the researchers precisely...Read full articleRelated content from Photonics MediaARTICLESDaily-Use Light Source Converts IR to Blue Light for Sterilization, DisinfectionA microcavity device that converts infrared (IR) radiation into blue light could enable safe, daily use of deep ultraviolet (DUV) light for disinfection and sterilization. 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A voltage applied across the crystal generates birefringence, causing plane-polarized light propagating...COMPANIESOhara Corporation, Western OfficeOhara manufactures precision optical glasses: strip/slab, cut/molded blanks, pressings, high homogeneity blanks, fine gobs, polished ball lenses, near-UV transmitting i-Line glass, ceramic...Photonics Buyers' GuideAiry Optics Inc.Airy Optics offers Polaris-M Optical Design Software, Airy Crystal Software, and Engineering Services. Airy analyzes thin film problems in optical design, crystal optics, stress birefringence,...Photonics Buyers' GuideGlass Fab Inc.A History of Quality Since 1974 Glass Fab Inc. has met customers' stringent specifications by providing fabricated parts made of optical glass, filter glass, fused quartz and fused silica, low...Photonics Buyers' GuideFOCtek Photonics Inc.FOCtek provides customers with all types of custom manufactured lenses, Precision Optical Components, Polarizing Optics, Prisms, Filters, Coatings, Optical Systems, Crystals, Nonlinear Crystals,...Photonics Buyers' Guide