Optics
Tiny lasers, biomedical sensors, and anti-counterfeiting markings – all these technologies could be vastly improved with the help of optical microresonators. The obstacle, however, is in getting these light amplifiers to “activate.” Usually, that requires a powerful laser, thus somewhat defeating the point of the method. However, a new prototype built at ITMO promises to solve the conundrum – and it’s bio-compatible, to boot. Now, researchers are planning to use this success in developing next-gen lab-on-a-chip structures.
Read more: ITMO Scientists Create Microspherical Light Amplifiers for Medical Diagnostics
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In a related study, researchers from three Russian universities, including ITMO, have produced a perovskite-based laser that functions purely via a power source, with no additional lighting source required. The cost-efficient nature of perovskites makes such lasers a particularly appealing option for optical and even quantum computing devices.
Read more: World’s First Perovskite Laser Diode Created by Russian Scientists
Artificial intelligence
Meet dcBiLSTM‑AE – its name may not be the prettiest, but its results are tough to argue with. This new neural network, developed at ITMO’s Center for AI in Chemistry, is a compact solution to a big task: analyzing peptides for medical applications.
These compounds, found within amino acids, are useful in delivering anti-cancer treatments without damaging healthy cells. Finding the right one, however, can be a tedious task, and one that’s often relegated to ungainly LLMs. That’s where the new model comes in: by taking a whole new approach and reducing the number of parameters by thousands of times, it uses less resources to deliver the same quality of results.
Read more: ITMO Scientists Build Compact Neural Network for Biomolecules
University
It’s time to hit the road with ITMO and Yandex Education! The partners have announced an unusual collab to mark the start of a new academic year: their Kiberpyshechnaya food truck will travel across Russia, delivering donuts (or, rather, pyshki), science quizzes, and open lectures to five cities. Prospective students will even be able to consult with specialists from the university’s Admissions Office. The ride is already on: upcoming dates include Kazan on August 27, Yekaterinburg on August 29, and, of course, our hometown of St. Petersburg on September 6.
Read more: Everyone Gets a Cyber Donut: ITMO and Yandex Education Launch Travelling Science Fest
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ITMO University, one of the leading universities in Russia, offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs in a wide range of exact, natural, and interdisciplinary subjects. You can study in English or Russian, on campus or online.
