Light & Laser Blog

Sure, spectrometers for explosives testing are ubiquitous in airports, but is photonics doing enough for security? Terahertz imaging, for example, can simultaneously penetrate through clothing and identify materials by spectral signature, potentially identifying threats like the recent would-be airborne bomber. The technology exists—why isn't it broadly deployed? Are we, as a community, doing all we can?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Light & Laser, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Light & Laser today.

As social networking evolves from a game for high school and college students to a tool for adults, business professionals are increasingly leveraging the medium. Forget about LinkedIn, even Facebook is getting into the act with the formation of various technical working groups. At the same time, social networking sites present the risk of acting as a time vortex. What's your experience? Are you involved with any social networking sites on a professional level? Do you find it a waste of time or do you find it useful? If the latter, which sites do you prefer?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Light & Laser, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Light & Laser today.

Thousands have died of the H1N1 virus, but a surprisingly high number of people say they're more afraid of the vaccine. What are you afraid of, the vaccine or an epidemic caused by vulnerable people who skipped their flu shots? Where's the science in this debate?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Light & Laser, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Light & Laser today.

Top Chef, Project Runway, Britain's Got Talent, America's Top Model…my question is where is Top Engineer? Think of it, a different challenge every week, to be solved with what the contestants can buy at Radio Shack and Home Depot. I know, I can't see network television going for it either, but that's indicative of a problem. It's easy to get kids excited about the "gee whiz" aspects of science, but it tends to lose its shine as they get older. How do we keep kids engaged in science to train the CCD inventors of the future? How do we make science and technology engage the average person (hint: glowing pickles)?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Light & Laser, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Light & Laser today.

The Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory has received $11.3 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Actually (ARRA). Do you think that investment will help create or preserve jobs, or does it counter the spirit of the ARRA?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Light & Laser, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Light & Laser today.