In a groundbreaking innovation, researchers from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a mid-infrared photodetector that can detect a broad range of spectral signals at room temperature. This breakthrough has significant implications for exoplanet hunting, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and other fields.

The new photodetector, led by Professor SangHyeon Kim from the School of Electrical Engineering, utilizes conventional silicon-based CMOS processes, enabling low-cost mass production while maintaining stable operation at room temperature. This is a major departure from existing mid-infrared photodetectors, which typically require cooling systems and are incompatible with silicon-based CMOS processes.

The research team successfully demonstrated the real-time detection of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas using ultra-compact and ultra-thin optical sensors equipped with this photodetector. This has proven its potential for environmental monitoring and hazardous gas analysis. Moreover, the waveguide-integrated design of this new technology allows it to detect the entire mid-infrared spectral range, making it suitable for real-time sensing of various molecular species.

The development of this groundbreaking photodetector overcomes the limitations of existing mid-infrared sensor technologies, including the need for cooling systems, difficulties in mass production, and high costs. This breakthrough technology is expected to be applicable across diverse fields, including environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, industrial process management, national defense and security, and smart devices.

According to Professor Kim, “This research represents a novel approach that overcomes the limitations of existing mid-infrared photodetector technologies and has great potential for practical applications in various fields.” He further emphasized, “Since this sensor technology is compatible with CMOS processes, it enables low-cost mass production, making it highly suitable for next-generation environmental monitoring systems and smart manufacturing sites.”

The study was published on March 19, 2025, in the journal Light: Science & Applications. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize various fields and pave the way for next-generation mid-infrared sensor advancements.

The world of hydrogel manufacturing has just gotten a whole lot greener. Researchers at McGill University, in collaboration with Polytechnique Montréal, have pioneered a groundbreaking method to create hydrogels using ultrasound, eliminating the need for toxic chemical initiators. This innovation promises a faster, cleaner, and more sustainable approach to hydrogel fabrication, producing materials that are stronger, more flexible, and highly resistant to freezing and dehydration.

Hydrogels, composed of polymers that can absorb and retain large amounts of water, have numerous applications in wound dressings, drug delivery, tissue engineering, soft robotics, and more. Traditional hydrogel manufacturing relies on chemical initiators, some of which can be hazardous, particularly in medical applications. These chemicals trigger chemical chain reactions, but the McGill research team has developed an alternative method using ultrasound.

When applied to a liquid precursor, sound waves create microscopic bubbles that collapse with immense energy, triggering gel formation within minutes. This ultrasound-driven technique is dubbed “sonogel.” According to Mechanical Engineering Professor Jianyu Li, who led the research team, the problem they aimed to solve was the reliance on toxic chemical initiators.

“Our method eliminates these substances, making the process safer for the body and better for the environment,” said Li. With sonogel, gel formation occurs in just five minutes, compared to hours or even overnight under UV light. This speed and efficiency have significant implications for biomedical applications.

One of the most exciting possibilities for this technology is in non-invasive medical treatments. Because ultrasound waves can penetrate deep into tissues, this method could enable in-body hydrogel formation without surgery. Imagine injecting a liquid precursor and using ultrasound to solidify it precisely where needed – this could be a game-changer for treating tissue damage and regenerative medicine.

Further refinement of this technique also opens the door to ultrasound-based 3D bioprinting. Instead of relying on light or heat, researchers could use sound waves to precisely “print” hydrogel structures. By leveraging high-intensity focused ultrasound, researchers can shape and build hydrogels with remarkable precision.

According to Jean Provost, one of co-authors of the study and assistant professor of engineering physics at Polytechnique Montréal, this breakthrough has significant potential for safer, greener material production. The sonogel method has the potential to revolutionize biomedical applications and unlock new possibilities for non-invasive medical treatments, making it a truly groundbreaking innovation in the field of hydrogel manufacturing.

The world is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the proliferation of nanoplastics and microplastics in our environment. These tiny particles, often overlooked, pose significant health and environmental risks. However, detecting them at the nanoscale has been a daunting challenge. That’s why a team of researchers from McGill University has developed a groundbreaking technology that makes it possible to detect these plastic particles efficiently and accurately.

The HoLDI-MS (Hollow-Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry) test platform is a 3D-printed device that overcomes the limitations of traditional mass spectrometry. This innovative tool allows for direct analysis of samples without requiring complex sample preparation, making it a cost-effective and high-throughput solution.

“We’re excited to provide a method that is effective, quantitative, highly accurate, and affordable,” said Professor Parisa Ariya, who led the study published in Nature’s Communications Chemistry. “It requires little energy, is recyclable, and costs only a few dollars per sample.”

The HoLDI-MS platform has significant implications for international cooperation in combating plastic pollution. As part of their study, the researchers identified polyethylene and polydimethylsiloxanes in indoor air, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in outdoor air.

“This technology allows us to pinpoint the major sources of nano and microplastics in the environment,” said Professor Ariya. “More importantly, it enables data comparison and validation across laboratories worldwide, a crucial step toward harmonizing global research on plastic pollution.”

The development of HoLDI-MS is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Funded by organizations such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and National Research Council Canada (NRC), this technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we detect and address plastic pollution.

As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of plastic waste, the HoLDI-MS platform offers a beacon of hope. By providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for detecting nanoplastics and microplastics, this technology can help us take a significant step toward mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on our environment.