Beams

Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday urging the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency failed to consider the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy, opening a new front in debates over commercial use of orbit and light pollution.

Researchers report that giant fluctuations of focused light can reveal hidden correlations within complex media, offering a new way to probe materials where light scatters unpredictably, such as biological tissue or turbid substances. The finding suggests focused beams can serve as sensitive probes of otherwise invisible structural correlations.

A retrospective study published in Cureus examined mandibular canal morphometry and anatomical variations using cone-beam computed tomography scans from a North Indian population. The research provides population-specific anatomical data intended to guide safer dental implant placement, nerve blocks and oral surgery. Anatomical variation studies like this are of interest to dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and radiologists planning procedures near the inferior alveolar nerve.

TDK has announced a direct retinal projection display for smart glasses that uses a meta-optic mirror to beam images straight into the eye. The approach promises a brighter, more compact alternative to conventional waveguide optics. Technology observers are weighing what the design could mean for the next generation of lightweight augmented reality glasses.

Beam Global, the San Diego-based maker of off-grid electric vehicle charging products, is seeing renewed interest in its stock under the ticker BEEM. Investors are checking share prices, quotes and trading history as the company moves in the market. Traders are discussing where the stock is headed next.

Researchers report a laser that keeps its frequency locked without any active control system, relying instead on an internal self-stabilising mechanism. The development could simplify precision lasers used in clocks, sensing and communications, where keeping a beam stable normally requires constant electronic feedback. The result is drawing attention among science enthusiasts for how much hardware it removes from a traditionally fussy setup.

Cowboy Space is being talked about for a plan combining solar energy, satellites and laser technology in what is described as a moonshot mission. The idea points to beaming solar power collected in space back to Earth using lasers, an ambitious concept in the energy sector. Coverage in energy-focused media is drawing attention to the company's goals, though few concrete technical or financial details have been made public so far.

The US Department of Defense has moved forward with a contract for a demonstration project aimed at beaming solar power collected in space down to Earth. The effort, long studied as a way to provide continuous clean energy to military bases and forward operating positions, has now taken a concrete step toward an actual test. Space-based solar power supporters see military interest as a key validation for the technology.