LifeLike

Microparticles clustering around a Janus particle. The dashed line delineates the lasing area, and the pink/yellow lines show the tracks of several microparticles. Credit: Imperial College LondonSelf-organizing lasers could lead to new materials for sensing, computing, light sources, and displays by mimicking features of living systems.Although many artificial materials have advanced properties, they have a long way to go to combine the versatility and functionality of living materials that can adapt to their situation.…

Even if you don’t watch the Star Wars Disney+ shows, you’re undoubtedly familiar with The Mandalorian’s Baby Yoda: one of the most effective merchandising tools of the past decade. But with the reveal of what is arguably the greatest Baby Yoda collectible to date at Comic-Con, I’m hoping we can finally move on and finally let Groguget some rest.When Grogu was first revealed at the end of the first episode of The Mandalorian, it turned a Star Wars series with a unique take on the saga (and one that was refreshingly free…

Researchers have developed a self-organising laser system that can reconfigure according to the conditions, replicating the ability of living materials. This discovery is likely to help in creating smart photonic materials which would better mimic the properties of biological matter such as self-healing, collective behaviour, and adaptation.While lasers are used to produce a different form of light by amplifying light, researchers, at the Imperial College London, have developed self-assembling lasers consisting of…