Researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, consolidate their longstanding collaboration by presenting in Nature Photonics a comprehensive collection of the latest advances in quantum structured light, an emerging field that allows increasing the amount of information that light can transport. This technology has potential applications in more secure communications, faster quantum computing, and high-sensitivity detection systems. 

A 2024 Gartner survey found 48% of R&D organizations have a formal technology scouting process.

Scouts bridge gaps between external startups and in-house teams to spark innovation. They source new ideas and knowledge from the outside world, helping companies create new and better products and make processes more efficient.

But new research from Francisco Polidoro Jr., professor of management at Texas McCombs, finds a hidden tension among knowledge scouts. A key part of their role — working with multiple divisions to foster collaboration — can actually make them less effective, not more.