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Published
, Published online: 21 April 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.039
3D printed contact lenses have emerged as promising candidates for advanced ocular applications due to their customizable design and functional versatility. In this study, a novel conformal auxetic-inspired metamaterial ocular disc architecture was developed using digital light processing (DLP), a high-resolution vat photopolymerization technique, and fabricated using an in-house hydrogel formulation. The printed disc was systematically evaluated for its mechanical, optical, and physicochemical performance. Mechanical testing confirmed excellent elasticity and durability, with the hydrated hydrogel exhibiting a tensile modulus of ~0.71 MPa, matching the range of commercial soft contact lenses. Laser profilometry revealed a smooth surface topology essential for user comfort, achieving a root mean square roughness (Rq) of 1.78 µm, a nearly 98% reduction compared to conventionally printed hemispherical lenses. Contact angle measurements (64° hydrated) indicated favorable wettability. Optical characterization exhibited high light transmittance, averaging ~83% across the visible spectrum in the hydrated state. Hydration related properties, including swelling kinetics, water content, and gel fraction, confirmed effective water uptake and retention, supporting oxygen permeability. FTIR spectroscopy validated the chemical integrity of the polymer network, while DSC/TGA analysis confirmed thermal stability up to 300 °C. Furthermore, rheological evaluation indicated a stable viscoelastic profile with notable self-healing behavior. Collectively, this study establishes a 3D printed hydrogel-based conformal metamaterial contact lens platform, offering a promising pathway for the development of next-generation smart ocular devices via additive manufacturing.
Published
, Published online: 06 August 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.087
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Published
, Published online: 05 August 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.102
Traditional frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is primarily used for high-precision distance measurements in free space. In this paper, a multifunctional FMCW LiDAR capable of high-precision ranging and multi-parameter sensing is proposed. By detecting echo signals from both free space and optical fibres, 3D imaging and the measurements of diverse physical parameters, including environmental temperature, gas concentrations, and liquid density, can be measured simultaneously. In an experiment, a target at 30 m was imaged with an adjustable resolution spanning 0.3–1.2 cm. Meanwhile, the electrolyte density and temperature of a battery were measured with accuracies of 3×10−5 g/mL and 0.5 °C, respectively. The concentrations of the gases (C2H2, CO2, and CH4), which are critical for monitoring thermal runaway of a battery, were measured with detection limits of 0.07, 48, and 0.56 ppm, respectively. The proposed multifunctional LiDAR exhibits significant application potential in fields such as new-energy vehicles and spacecraft.
Published
, Published online: 05 August 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.088
Being one of the most prominent topics, the development of the optically active devices based on lenses and metasurfaces lacks a robust material basis suitable for the terahertz (THz) range. Among candidates such as graphene and dichalcogenides, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films offer high modulation depth, durability, and scalability, but precise spatial patterning remains challenging. We present a waste-free, one-step, dry patterning approach that combines aerosol chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with spatially controlled aerosol flow clogging via stencil imprinting. Two approaches are demonstrated. In the stencil-free variant, stencil removal after imprinting yields reproducible features >200 μm and near-complete nanotube suppression in clogged regions at pressures above 200 MPa. In the stencil-supported variant, retaining the stencil enhances flow blocking, achieving complete nanotube exclusion at lower pressures (~100 MPa) and enabling finer features approaching laser resolution. The method is validated through two applications: strain sensors with at least threefold improved response than reported values, and a mechanically tunable THz spiral zone plate with focal shifts up to 44% under 12% strain. This imprinting method offers a scalable route to precisely patterned SWCNT films and opens new opportunities for integrating CNT-based patterns into THz optics and electronic devices.
Microcavity-enhanced optoelectronic fiber photoacoustic spectroscopy for ppb-level trace gas sensing
Published
, Published online: 16 April 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.028
Photoacoustic spectroscopy is a highly sensitive analytical technique for trace chemical detection in gaseous and liquid phases. Conventional systems relying on free-space optics face limitations in light-matter interaction efficiency and electronic integration. To address this, we developed a miniaturized, ultrasensitive photoacoustic spectroscopy gas sensor by integrating a thermally drawn multi-material optoelectronic fiber, a T-type resonant photoacoustic cell, and a MEMS microphone at the fiber tip. This system enables amplified light-gas interactions and simultaneous electrical signal acquisition, achieving ppb-level detection within seconds using sub-microliter sample volumes (0.02 mL). By leveraging mass-producible optoelectronic fibers and MEMS technology, this work establishes a new class of optical sensors featuring compact size, ultrahigh sensitivity, environmental robustness, and scalable multiplexed detection capabilities for harsh environments.
Published
, Published online: 29 July 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.022
Metasurfaces, flat optical devices built from nanoscale structures, offer powerful and precise control over light. They have enabled applications such as structural color printing by manipulating spectral responses and holography through precise phase control. Integrating these functions into a single metasurface has gained interest for compact multifunctional platforms. However, most existing dual-mode designs suffer from low hologram efficiency, limiting their practical applications in multifunctional optical systems. Here, we present dual-functional metasurfaces that simultaneously enable three-color structural printing under white light illumination and high-efficiency holography under coherent light. Our design employs three distinct meta-atoms, composed of single and double nanorods, to achieve independent spectral and phase modulations. The metasurfaces produce three distinct reflective colors of green, brown, and magenta and achieve numerical conversion efficiency up to 90% at the 640 nm wavelength. The fabricated devices successfully display desired structural colors under white light and reconstruct holographic images with high efficiency under coherent illumination. The devices also demonstrate broadband performance for holography across the visible spectrum. These results confirm the effectiveness of our design in achieving independent and efficient control of color and holography within a single metasurface. This multifunctional capability offers strong potential for applications in anti-counterfeiting and compact optical data storage.
Published
, Published online: 17 April 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.040
Femtosecond laser writing offers exceptional flexibility and spatial selectivity, enabling the customization of multifunctional integrated devices with nano-scale resolution. This study introduces a novel approach for fabricating nanohole-clad waveguides with ultra-high depth-to-diameter ratios using femtosecond laser writing combined with spherical-aberration-enhanced focal stretching and selective wet etching. This technique not only achieves record depth-to-diameter ratios (>50 000:1) with nanoholes (diameter: 30-500 nm, depth: 1 500 μm) but enables the creation of functional photonic waveguides. The integration of nanoholes into the waveguide structure provides a platform for multi-functional integrated devices, demonstrating significant tunable optical properties. By adjusting pulse energy and axial focal stitching, the diameter of the nanoholes can be tuned from 30 nm to 500 nm with high precision. Further, fluorescent probes embedded within the nanoholes provide a demonstration of optical sensing capabilities, as the waveguide effectively guides light to excite the probes, generating strong detectable signals. The submicron precision achieved through the process ensures high-quality waveguiding with 10.9 dB mode purity, while centimeter-scale periodic arrays exhibit excellent phase uniformity (deviation <3.9%). This work demonstrates the potential of femtosecond laser writing to directly fabricate high-aspect-ratio nanostructures and integrate functional photonic devices on substrates, opening up new possibilities for multi-functional photonics and sensor applications.
Published
, Published online: 15 April 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.026
We propose a high-precision assembly technique for realizing high-resolution nano- to microscale displays using a trapped-assembly approach that integrates a doctor-blade-based ink-delivery system with dielectrophoresis (DEP)-induced assembly. Octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were coated onto the pixel-defined layer (PDL) to promote ink trapping and confine fin-LEDs within individual pixels during assembly. Key process parameters—including the viscosity and dielectric properties of the ink solvent, speed and number of blade passes, blade-to-substrate gap, and applied DEP voltage and frequency—were systematically optimised, as these parameters affect solvent confinement of the solvent and fin-LED assembly behavior. Under optimised conditions, achieved through precise control of solvent polarity, DEP force and torque, and doctor-blading parameters, all 400 pixels were successfully assembled. Statistical analysis revealed that 90% of the pixels contained 12-20 fin-LEDs, with an average of 16.3 fin-LEDs per pixel and a standard deviation of 3.5. The overlap ratio was limited to 8%, and 92% of the fin-LEDs were accurately assembled, of which 95% established contact with the p-GaN surface. Electroluminescent devices fabricated using the assembled fin-LEDs exhibited bright and uniform emission across the entire pixel array, confirming their excellent assembly quality and high electrical reliability. The DEP-based trapped-assembly method provides a reliable and scalable strategy for the practical integration of nano- to microscale LEDs in next-generation high-resolution display technologies.
Published
, Published online: 24 July 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.086
Flexible terahertz (THz) devices are fundamental components of wearable photonics and intelligent communication systems. However, conventional THz devices are affected by information loss or signal interruption due to mechanical deformation, which degrade their information fidelity. Here, we introduce tellurium (Te) nanofilms grown on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates as a new class of mechanically robust THz modulators that can successfully improve device performances to optimal levels among existing flexible broadband modulators. The ultrafast transient THz photoresponses of two-dimensional Te films remained unchanged even after 1000 bending cycles or at a small bending radius of 3 mm, exhibiting high tolerance to bending deformation. Furthermore, the variations in the pattern recognition accuracy remained within 2% under different bending conditions, indicating its adaptability to various deformation conditions. This prototype lays the foundation for developing intelligent perception elements that operate stably under complex mechanical deformations.
Published
, Published online: 22 July 2026
, doi: 10.37188/lam.2026.075
The integration of luminescent nanomaterials into scalable semiconductor platforms is vital for on-chip photonics. This study demonstrates an approach to fabricate fluorescent nanostructures by hybridising carbon dots (CDs) with semiconductor nanowires (NWs) grown on Si. We systematically investigated the photoluminescence of CDs on GaN, GaP, and Si NW hosts and demonstrated the key role of the absorption edge of the host as a practical spectral filter. Our results show that efficient CD excitation is governed by the transparency window of the NW, thereby allowing the precise tailoring of the emission spectrum through rational host selection. This effect has been consistently demonstrated in different materials. By coupling the tuneable chemistry of CDs with the tailored optoelectronics of semiconductor NWs, this study establishes a scalable host-guest architecture for engineering nanoscale light sources to promote applications in integrated photonic circuits and sensing.
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