Neurons, the cells in brains and spinal cords that make up the central nervous system, communicate by firing electrical pulses. But scientists have found hints that neurons may transmit light as well, ...

Short pulses from a laser can be twisted into a series of doughnut-like vortices, offering a way to transmit more information using light. We usually encounter vortices in water and air, but similar ...

A new type of computer that uses light rather than electricity could perform calculations faster, using less energy and less space. Computer chips are made up of millions or billions of logic gates.

As its whiskers flitter, the mouse’s brain sparks with activity. A tiny implant records the electrical chatter and beams it to a nearby computer. Smaller than a grain of salt, the implant is powered ...

Modern vehicles’ onboard diagnostic systems can trigger the check engine light for transmission faults, not just engine problems. Issues like overheating gearboxes, faulty control modules, or speed ...

Forward-looking: Silicon photonics could provide an alternative solution to the growing pains of purely silicon-based chips in computing and data transmission. Light-based CPUs are likely still a long ...