DELFT, Netherlands, Nov. 15, 2019 — Researchers from Delft University of Technology demonstrated a swarm of tiny drones equipped with optical sensors that can explore unknown environments completely by themselves. The concept, inspired by insect swarms, relies on numerous inexpensive robots with relatively limited sensing and computational techniques, which together are able to explore large areas with greater speed and efficiency than a single larger drone. “The biggest challenge in achieving swarm exploration lies at the level of the individual intelligence of the drones,” said Kimberly McGuire, a...Read full articleRelated content from Photonics MediaARTICLESNSF Grant to Advance Sensing and Imaging Technologies for Precision AgricultureWith a five-year, $26 million grant, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has established the Engineering Research Center for the Internet of Things for Precision Agriculture (ERC IoT4Ag). The...Vision Spectra Winter 2020 IssueUniversity of Michigan, Ford Open Robotics LabThe University of Michigan and the Ford Motor Co. opened a $75 million, 134,000-sq-ft robotics complex on the university’s campus March 16. The facility is the new home of the University of...Vision Spectra Summer 2021 IssueAvalanche Photodiode Is High-Power and Eye-Safe for LidarA low-noise avalanche photodiode (APD) for 2-μm detection, developed by engineers at the University of Virginia (UVA) and the University of Texas-Austin (UT-Austin), could provide high-power,...Photonics Spectra August 2020 IssueOCT-Based Technique May Improve Cancer DiagnosticsA method based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) could improve the abilities of scientists and medical personnel to evaluate biopsies. 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With the abundance of consumer electronics available, there typically is no right or wrong way to use these...Photonics HandbookSpectroscopy: The Tools of the Trade: Understanding the whys and wherefores of a technology goes a long way toward solving your problem. Putting that knowledge to work requires an understanding of the tools of the trade and how to use them.All optical spectrometry techniques rely on the measurement of radiant power. The configuration of the instrument varies based on the measurement technique: absorption, emission, luminescence, or...Photonics HandbookRadiometry: A Simplified Description of Light Measurement: Radiometry involves measuring and predicting levels of optical radiation. This article removes some of the confusion surrounding this often complex technology.Radiometry involves several activities. 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For the...Photonics.com 7/2/2018Penn's Agarwal Group Focuses on Light-Matter Interactions for Optoelectronic DevicesThe Agarwal Group at the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Materials Science and Engineering focuses on understanding how light interacts with small scale nanostructures. They also work to...Photonics.com 10/1/2018Thermal cameras join hunt for poachers - LIGHT MATTERS 12.2016Illegal hunting of animals in Africa has, for decades, threatened the existence of a number of species, from elephants and tortoises, to gorillas and tigers. Work by organizations such as the World...Photonics.com 12/29/2016PHOTONICS BUYERS' GUIDE CATEGORIESThermistorsMachine Vision SystemsBarcode ReadersHexapodsCOMPANIESOZ Optics LimitedEstablished in 1985, OZ Optics is a leading worldwide supplier of fiber optic components, test equipment and sensors. OZ Optics manufactures its products in three locations, Ottawa (Canada),...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' GuideOhara 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' GuideLaserPoint srlPhotonics Buyers' Guide