Spy Review

A breakthrough in research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has produced an adaptive liquid lens that captures 250 pictures per second while using less energy than any other competitor on the market.

The lens itself is created with a pair of droplets of water that vibrate back and forth to a high frequency sound during exposure while changing the focus. With the use of imaging software the researchers were able to capture in focus frames from a high fidelity camera that is both lightweight and affordable.

“The lens is easy to manipulate, with very little energy, and it’s almost always in focus – no matter how close or far away it is from an object,” stated Amir H. Hirsa, project leader, professor, and associate department head for graduate studies in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer. “There is no need for high voltages or other exotic activation mechanisms, which means this new lens may be used and integrated into any number of different applications and devices.”

The new liquid lens offers a more stable way in which to capture clear and concise photos as the water droplets stays in constant and unchanging contact with the surface, which means you use less energy to maneuver.

“The great benefit of this new device is that you can create a new optical system from a liquid lens and a small speaker,” Hirsa said. “No one has done this before.”

Hirsa is optimistic that the lightweight liquid lens cameras will be the device that will be seen in more mobile phones and unmanned micro air vehicles for a lighter weight device along with the ability to be more effective for defense and security applications.