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Scientists invent lens than a sheet of paper
ScienceDaily.com ^
| 5/27/05
| Science Daily
Posted on 05/27/2005 7:40:58 PM PDT by aimhigh
Scientists at Canada's Universite Laval have invented a lens that is five times thinner than a piece of paper and can zoom without using mechanical parts.
The lens is created by adding a small quantity of photosensitive material to a liquid crystal cell. When a weak electrical current is applied, the crystals realign differently from those in the periphery and thus take on the shape and behavior of a lens.
The researchers have been able to modify the lens’ focal distance from 1.6 to 8 meters in a few milliseconds by increasing the voltage from 1.5 to 4.5 volts.
(Excerpt) Read more at dpreview.com ...
TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Astronomy; Miscellaneous; Science; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: invention; lens; photography
OK, I want a 10000 millimeter lens that weighs .1 oz, and is less than .5 inch thick.
1
posted on
05/27/2005 7:40:58 PM PDT
by
aimhigh
To: aimhigh
Wow, this could have some very interesting ramifications...I can't wait to see what they come up with!
2
posted on
05/27/2005 7:42:59 PM PDT
by
Future Snake Eater
(The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.)
To: aimhigh
Scientists invent lens than a sheet of paper Well I should hope so the piece of paper has already been invented.
3
posted on
05/27/2005 7:59:56 PM PDT
by
CzarNicky
(The problem with bad ideas is that they seemed like good ideas at the time.)
To: aimhigh
Lens five times thinner than paper developedHow about this title?
4
posted on
05/27/2005 8:14:21 PM PDT
by
SwinneySwitch
(Remember, this is only a temporary exile!)
To: aimhigh
"How do you know it's there?"
"Well, I just assumed..."
5
posted on
05/27/2005 8:46:06 PM PDT
by
kenth
To: aimhigh
It's interesting, but an astonishing number of people are quite happy with the old Wollaston landscape lens.
6
posted on
05/27/2005 8:46:16 PM PDT
by
Redcloak
(Over 16,000 served.)
To: Redcloak
I am too, but for stealth surveillance, this is a milestone.
7
posted on
05/27/2005 9:03:28 PM PDT
by
norraad
("What light!">Blues Brothers)
To: aimhigh
8
posted on
05/27/2005 9:24:50 PM PDT
by
Publius6961
(The most abundant things in the universe are hydrogen, ignorance and stupidity.)
To: aimhigh
Cool, I'd like a telescope built with this technology.
9
posted on
05/27/2005 9:57:02 PM PDT
by
Brett66
(W1 W1 W1 W1 W1 W1 W1 W1)
To: aimhigh
That settles it. I am inventing thinner paper.
Can we get some thinner contact lenses now? And how about for my camera?
10
posted on
05/28/2005 2:42:49 AM PDT
by
weegee
("Do you want them to write a piece about how great the military is?" Elizabeth Bumiller - NY Times)
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