Data Transfer

Dual-cell Liquid Crystal Shutters (DLSs) alter the polarity of sunlight passing through them

Science

"Smart glass" windows could alter sunlight to replace Wi-Fi

We've already seen systems that wirelessly transmit data via patterns of flickering light. A Saudi Arabian team has created a less energy-intensive alternative, that could use modulated sunlight in place of traditional Wi-Fi.

The glycerol-filled fiber withstands bending, and can be stretched by up to 10 percent without breaking

Science

Liquid-filled optical fiber designed for more robust data transmission

Although optical fibers are highly effective at data transmission, they're also relatively brittle. An experimental new type of optical fiber addresses that limitation, by incorporating a core made of liquid glycerol.

The infrared wireless communication module developed at Fraunhofer can transfer data wirelessly at speeds of 1 Gbps (Photo: Fraunhofer IPMS/Jürgen Lösel)

Science

Infrared technology offers faster wireless data transfer than Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Fraunhofer researchers have developed a “multi-gigabit communication module” that uses infrared light to wirelessly transfer data 46 times faster than Wi-Fi and 1,430 times faster than Bluetooth.

A breakthrough in quantum dot laser communication could mean the next-generation Ethernet is closer than we think.

Science

World's first 25Gbps data communication using Quantum Dot Laser achieved

A breakthrough in quantum dot laser communication could mean the next-generation Ethernet is closer than we think.

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter hitches a ride with an Atlas V/Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida(Photo: Scott Andrews)

Astronomy

LRO - a giant leap for data transfer from the moon

Even at 238,000 miles away, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) keeps in touch with the Earth 24 hours a day, transmitting 461GB of data per day at speeds of to 100Mb/s.