Light sails propelled by radiation from high-power lasers offer a possible route to fuel-free space propulsion. However, existing designs face tradeoffs between reflectivity, heating, and weight. A recent study presents a nanoscale, multi-dielectric photonic crystal light sail that reflects propulsion laser light while remaining largely transparent to other wavelengths. The proof-of-concept membrane integrates multiple materials and demonstrates a scalable design strategy for laser-driven spacecraft systems.

A research report in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), published by Elsevier, examined how the rapid digitalization of the retail food environment is reshaping food access in the United States and highlights implications for public health nutrition research, practice, and policy. The authors describe how online grocery platforms, mobile food delivery applications, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital marketing are transforming the way consumers encounter and purchase food.