Animal color vision is a stunning example of evolutionary adaptation. Birds can see ultraviolet light with their four cone types, while mantis shrimps have up to 12 photoreceptors, seeing colors and polarized light we can’t. Many mammals, like dogs, are dichromatic, with a limited color range but superior night vision. These diverse visual systems highlight how species adapt their sight to survive, revealing worlds beyond our perception and underscoring nature’s incredible versatility.
The natural world teems with colors and patterns, many of which are imperceptible to human eyes. Yet, for numerous animals, ultraviolet (UV) light is a critical part of their vision system. From birds to insects, UV sensitivity aids in communication, predator detection, and mating. One of the leading tools for studying UV light and its role in animal vision is microspectrophotometry, a technique that has provided valuable insights into the function of ocular tissues and photoreceptors. This blog explores how microspectrophotometry advances our understanding of UV transmission and animal vision, focusing on research conducted with spiders as an example.
The food industry operates within a complex landscape. Stringent regulations, consumer demands for transparency, and the ever-present challenge of ensuring food safety and quality, are just a few key pressures facing the sector. Meeting these challenges demands innovative analytical tools capable of providing rapid, accurate, and non-destructive assessments of food products. Photoluminescence microspectroscopy is one such methodology.
Electronic displays are ever-present in modern society. It is estimated around 7.1 billion people carry them in their pockets daily. Smartphones have become so ubiquitous that their ingenuity is often overlooked. For example, a six-inch Quad HD smartphone can provide pixel densities of up to 600 pixels per inch (PPI), double the value the human eye can distinguish detail at a normal viewing distance. Beyond astounding image clarity and fidelity, modern electronic displays offer rapid refresh rates (+120Hz), high dynamic range (HDR) support, in-display fingerprint sensors, flexible substrates, and more. Still, demand continues to grow.
