Thursday, 2. October 2008, 07:25:29
liquid lens, camera, miniature, image capture
New miniature image-capturing technology powered by water, sound, and surface tension could lead to smarter and lighter cameras in everything from cell phones and automobiles to autonomous robots and miniature spy planes.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have designed and tested an adaptive liquid lens that captures 250 pictures per second and requires considerably less energy to operate than competing technologies.
The lens is made up of a pair of water droplets, which vibrate back and forth upon exposure to a high-frequency sound, and in turn change the focus of the lens. By using imaging software to automatically capture in-focus frames and discard any out of focus frames, the researchers can create streaming images from lightweight, low-cost, high-fidelity miniature cameras.
Source:
http://news.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=2494
Monday, 1. September 2008, 13:06:59
sound waves, image capture, algorithms, 3D
Computer scientists and engineers have developed a new technology for the purpose of seeing through walls. The new technological gadget boasts visual penetration through wood, plaster, brick and reinforced concrete. The device uses sound waves at a particular frequency and a series of algorithms in the computer software to capture images through a wall or door and create 3D images. The military and law enforcement agencies hope to incorporate the device into their projects.
X-ray vision is no longer just for sci-fi movies and superheroes. Now, superhuman powers are closer to real life than you might think. Engineers have developed a new device, called the Xaver that can see straight through walls.
"It's designed to find people through walls and tell you where they are and how many there are," says engineer Robert Judd. The device can see through plaster, brick, even reinforced concrete.
Source:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0706-seeing_through_walls.htm