The Tiniest Exoskeleton

Bugs’ eyes inspire new super-wide-angle camera Contrary to what...

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:32:44 -0400

Bugs’ eyes inspire new super-wide-angle camera

Contrary to what certain cartoons may have us believe, insects’ compound eyes don’t produce a grid of tiny identical images. Instead, each of their many optical facets supply one unique section of a single composite image – sort of like the individual pixels that make up one digital image. Now, a team of scientists has replicated that eye structure, to create an ultra-wide-angle camera.

The researchers, led by Prof. John A. Rogers of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, made the camera using a hemispherical interconnected array of 180 tiny focusing lenses. Each lens is paired with its own individual photodiode, allowing it to act as a little self-contained camera – just like each of the individual tiny “mini-eyes” within an insect’s compound eyes has its own lens, cone, and light-sensitive organ.

The various images captured by the device’s individual mini lenses/cameras are fed to a processor, that combines them together into one cohesive 180-degree image. The picture reportedly has no visual aberrations, and an almost infinite depth of field.

While the electronics used are made of silicon, the optical components bonded to them are made from a rubbery polymer similar to that used for contact lenses. The wires connecting the lenses to one another are coiled like springs. This combination of rubbery lenses and springy interconnecting wires makes the array flexible enough to take on its curved, half-globe insect-eye-like shape, plus it can be stretched and deformed reversibly and without damage.

Although the technology is still in development, it is hoped that such cameras could someday find use in applications such as surveillance, endoscopy or even in micro air vehicles. A paper on the research was published today in the journal Nature.

Scientists at Germany’s Cognitive Interaction Technology Center of Excellence at Bielefeld University have also created a 280-degree artificial bee’s eye, although it utilizes a single lens.

Source: University of Illinois

My medical portfolio

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:22:40 -0400

My medical portfolio:

Be kind, guys! It’s still a work in progress

NOW IS MY CHANCE

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:14:49 -0400

So a few weeks back I received an email from the head of AIMBI requesting me to apply for a job as a clinical photographer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital!). Friday, I got a phone call asking for an interview!!!! This is my big chance to get somewhere in my desired career! Building my folio as we speak and ill post it in a few days!

I really couldn’t of gotten this far without the drive from my followers! Thank you all!

Wish me luck!!!! :D

Harlequin Cotton Beetle nymph

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:57:06 -0400

Harlequin Cotton Beetle nymph

LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN!

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 03:41:00 -0400

LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN!

Sometime… A new skin helps

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 03:27:36 -0400

Sometime… A new skin helps

Australian insect lovers!!!Join this forum!!! http://www.forum.minibeastwildlife.com.au

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:19:56 -0500

Australian insect lovers!!!

Join this forum!!!

http://www.forum.minibeastwildlife.com.au

I used to feel things… ya know

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:48:34 -0500

I used to feel things… ya know

Catbug

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 06:57:44 -0500

Catbug :

So…. I’m not a fan of posting things that aren’t my work on this blog. But I need a pet catbug!!!

Photo

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:21:52 -0500

I LOVE JUMPING SPIDERS

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:26:18 -0500

I LOVE JUMPING SPIDERS

Junkie bug

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:22:25 -0500

Junkie bug

Guys, any donations would be awesome!!!

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:31:30 -0500

Guys, any donations would be awesome!!!

Here is a graduated magnification of a leaf

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 02:10:24 -0400

Here is a graduated magnification of a leaf

So I’m learning to use a scanning electron microscope....

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 02:05:43 -0400

So I’m learning to use a scanning electron microscope. This is a fly’s eye

A composite of my work for my exhibition

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 03:12:02 -0400

A composite of my work for my exhibition

can we get married? Sure thing, mystery person!

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 04:24:27 -0400

can we get married?

Sure thing, mystery person!

Hi cuz

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 06:20:23 -0400

Hey… Homie?

Who doesn’t love mantids?!

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 04:47:31 -0400

Who doesn’t love mantids?!

Photo

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 03:46:48 -0400