Focusing with water and sound waves

Leonard Goh | May 05, 2009

(Credit: Rensselaer/Carlos A Lopez)

Using liquid as lenses to be employed in imaging equipment is not a new idea. Such concepts were conceived several years ago, although it has yet to be made commercial. This hasn't stopped researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from taking this notion a step further by incorporating sound waves to manipulate water droplets to obtain a clear image.

The researchers explained that high-frequency sonic sounds are directed at the water droplets which then oscillate and change shape. This creates both focused and out-of-focused pictures which are directed to a device that can record at 250 frames per second. This gadget then analyzes the pictures and discards those which are blur, while sharp shots are presented smoothly as a video.

Another advantage this technology could have over competing ones is its energy consumption. The researchers claimed that their idea is much more energy efficient.

The team hopes to sell this concept to mobilephone manufacturers as well as security firms looking to produce unmanned micro air vehicles for surveillance purposes. But I have a question. What if the device is used in sub-zero temperature? Won't the water droplets freeze and probably shatter from the high-frequency sound waves?

Via Trendhunter

Filed under: Digital Cameras
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