With its far-infrared detectors, Herschel has been able to re-visit familiar objects to provide new data.

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With the help of engineers they plan to develop the next generation of infrared detectors.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Jewel beetle flies into the inferno

Lead selenium is a semiconductor that has been used in infrared detectors and thermal imaging.

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As part of the arrangement, NASA will provide 6 infrared detectors and four spare detectors.

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The exciting thing about this is that the infrared detectors these beetles use are different from the ones of their Northern Hemisphere cousins.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Jewel beetle flies into the inferno

Since working on M. acuminate, the German team has discovered that two other species of fire beetle, this time in Australia, also use infrared detectors to guide them to fire.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Jewel beetle flies into the inferno

In the past, Esa has offered Nasa a 20% partnership in the telescope, and one of the simplest ways it could contribute is by providing the infrared detectors needed by Euclid's instruments.

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The large mirror, wide field of view and very sensitive infrared detectors of ESO's 4.1-metre Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) make it by far the best tool for this job.

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These electrodes were attached to the infrared detectors.

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It does not come as any surprise that the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) in the US can see the massive military potential for a new generation of supersensitive, miniature, robust, uncooled, infrared detectors inspired by a humble heat-seeking beetle.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Jewel beetle flies into the inferno

This frigid state is required for the instrument's detectors to sample the faintest of infrared sources.

BBC: Science & Environment

However, such instruments are blinded by the intense infrared radiation emitted by flames, which overwhelm the sensitive detectors and limit their use in the field.

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