SA bright spark makes laser breakthrough

An experiment by a UKZN student has put South Africa at the forefront of scientific research.

On Tuesday the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research unveiled the world’s very first digital laser, developed in South Africa.

Scientists say this is a milestone in laser technology.

With this digital laser, South Africa is flexing its scientific muscles, showing that it can compete with some of the world’s best in science and technology.

Under the leadership of Professor Andrew Forbes, the team has shown that laser beams can be digitally controlled from within a laser device, which means producing shapes will be much simpler and easier.

This development will serve as a launching pad to further laser related technologies.

It was PhD student Sandile Ngcobo’s experiment that led to the breakthrough.

Ngcobo said, “According to what pictures you put in , the grayscale images , the laser will try and replicate it as a light , basically…”

Lasers are increasingly becoming a crucial part of everyday life all around the world, and according to Forbes, the possibilities of how this digital laser will improve lives is endless.

‘Dressed’ Laser Aimed at Clouds May be Key to Inducing Rain, Lightning

“We believe it can be used in health, as a research tool, not yet as a clinical product, and we are already working on this plus other devices in the communication,” said Forbes.

The Latest Bing News on:

Lasers

NASA Streams 4K Video From The ISS Using Lasers Ahead Of Moon Landings
on July 25, 2024 at 6:43 am
F or the first time, NASA has used laser communication to send 4K video from a plane to the International Space Station (ISS) and back again.
Armored Wolfhound Truck Goes Full Star Wars, Fires Anti-Drone Lasers for the First Time
on July 24, 2024 at 11:43 pm
Like, say, lasers. One such system currently in operation is something called the High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS), made by American company Raytheon. It's a tech that's already deployed in the ...
NASA fired its space lasers to communicate with the ISS
on July 24, 2024 at 6:34 pm
NASA researchers have successfully tested laser communications in space by streaming 4K video footage originating from an airplane in the sky to the International Space Station and back.
HCM City airport faces safety threats from lasers, drones
on July 24, 2024 at 5:24 pm
Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City is facing significant aviation safety concerns due to incidents involving drones and lasers directed at aircraft cockpits during critical flight phases, ...
Next-gen quantum computers could be powered with high-energy lasers made 10,000 times smaller
on July 24, 2024 at 5:14 am
High-powered titanium:sapphire lasers have been shrunk down with scientists planning to cram hundreds or thousands onto a four-inch wafer in a new chip.
X-ray lasers alter magnetic properties of rare Earth metals for the first time
on July 23, 2024 at 4:10 pm
Utilizing X-ray lasers in Hamburg, researchers demonstrated potential advancements in data storage technology. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of these changes. For a ...
Lasers reveal Roman-era circus in Spain where 5,000 spectators watched horse-drawn chariot races
on July 23, 2024 at 10:42 am
Laser beams have revealed unknown structures, including the remains of a circus that hosted horse-drawn chariot races, that were once part of a sprawling Roman city hidden in what is now northern ...
Chinese Subs May Soon Sport Satellite-Killing Lasers
on July 21, 2024 at 10:23 pm
Chinese scientists have proposed developing laser-equipped submarines to kill satellites stealthily from underwater, potentially revolutionizing a ...
Chinese Submarines with Lasers Could Take Down Starlink Satellites
on July 21, 2024 at 4:17 am
China’s PLA released a study stating that Chinese submarines equipped with lasers could soon potentially disable Starlink satellites, which would significantly enhance China’s defense capabilities and ...
Chinese submarines with lasers could take down Starlink satellites: PLA study
on July 20, 2024 at 6:10 am
China could soon be targeting Starlink-like satellites with advanced submarine laser weapons, according to a recent naval study.

The Latest Google Headlines on:

Lasers

[google_news title=”” keyword=”lasers” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]

The Latest Bing News on:

Digital laser

OmniGuide Holdings Announces Successful Completion of Patient Study for Revolutionary iSTONE(TM) Laser-Guided Lithotripsy Technology
on July 26, 2024 at 5:41 am
BILLERICA, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 26, 2024 / OmniGuide Holdings, Inc. (OGH) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of a groundbreaking ...
Staring at our phones is making us develop ‘digital wrinkles’, experts warn
on July 25, 2024 at 8:20 am
STARING at our phones is prematurely ageing us with “digital wrinkles”, experts warned. Looking down at devices causes the skin on the neck to crease and fold, leading to the early appearance of ...
Beyond The Cookie: Digital Advertising's Multi-Source Revolution
on July 25, 2024 at 7:00 am
For over two decades, the third-party cookie reigned supreme in digital advertising. It was the basis for targeted campaigns to reach specific segments with laser focus.
Save your data on printable magnetic devices? New laser technique's twist might make this reality
on July 25, 2024 at 6:26 am
The proliferation of all things digital doesn't mean that printing technology is no longer relevant. In fact, printing technology is required to make the semiconductors necessary for the digital world ...
A laser-based method for measuring particle size distribution during the grinding process
on July 24, 2024 at 1:25 pm
How pharmaceuticals act, how efficient catalysts are and how effective and accurate printing inks function all depend on the size of the nanoparticles they contain. However, there are as of yet no ...
Will detect lasers and drones — Britain tests individual digital systems for soldiers
on July 24, 2024 at 6:38 am
The British Army is about to test portable drone control and laser detection devices. The 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment, based in Leicestershire ...
Laser distance sensors include Ethernet and RS-485
on July 23, 2024 at 8:55 am
Panasonic has produced a range of micron-accurate industrial distance measuring sensors. Unlike its earlier similar sensors, digital output devices in the ...
Wearable laser detection, drone control: UK army tests super soldier tech
on July 23, 2024 at 5:31 am
The British Army has announced that it is planning to test a series of innovative wearable technology to make its troops future-ready.
Best color laser printers for 2024: tested and reviewed
on July 20, 2024 at 11:32 am
making it easy for digital document archiving. Businesses on a limited print budget can invest in high-yield toner cartridges for a lower per-page print cost. Laser printers are better for text ...
Digital Projection shines at African Judo Championships
on July 19, 2024 at 2:05 am
The opening show of the 45th edition of the championships was held in Cairo Stadium indoor halls complex from 25-28 April, where top African judokas battled for places in the Paris Olympics, created a ...