New lens innovation

[richardm]

I don't think I've seen this here yet. Philips' new fluid lenses (http://www.newscenter.philips.com/InformationCenter/NewsCenter/FPressRelease.asp?lArticleId=3240&lNodeId=13) .

The shape of the lens is adjusted by applying an electric field across the hydrophobic coating such that it becomes less hydrophobic – a process called ‘electrowetting’ that results from an electrically induced change in surface-tension. As a result of this change in surface-tension the aqueous solution begins to wet the sidewalls of the tube, altering the radius of curvature of the meniscus between the two fluids and hence the focal length of the lens. By increasing the applied electric field the surface of the initially convex lens can be made completely flat (no lens effect) or even concave. As a result it is possible to implement lenses that transition smoothly from being convergent to divergent and back again.

Rather clever! The second video showing fast focus shifting is pretty impressive.

[MRC_Hans]

Typical woowoo site!

..........wait!

;) Hans ;)



:p

Lotsa cool applications for THAT one :).

[richardm]

(Thanks for tidying up the surplus thread, Mystery Mod!)

[richardm]

Yeah, it does sound a bit woo-wooish at first glance, doesn't it?

[Wrath of the Swarm]

Honestly? No, no it doesn't.

What would make you think that the idea is basically flawed? It violates no known principles, would seem to be implied by the ones we know, and is just about at the level of technology we have at the moment.

[MRC_Hans]

Only joking. But the point is that many woowoo sites look every bit as professional as that one on first glace. It is not surprising that people without technical knowledge and a skeptical mind are sometimes taken in.

This one is surely serious. Clue: Philips does not ask for founding.

Also they do not call on any hypothetical metaphysical laws. They do not mention Einstein even once. They do not brandish fine titles from universities you never heard of, but which spell their names almost like some well-known ones. Etc, etc.

Hans

[richardm]

Originally posted by Wrath of the Swarm
Honestly? No, no it doesn't.

What would make you think that the idea is basically flawed? It violates no known principles, would seem to be implied by the ones we know, and is just about at the level of technology we have at the moment.

It has badly drawn graphics and features lots of long words involving electricity, which are hallmarks of many woo-woo sites.

Obviously I don't think the idea is flawed, otherwise I wouldn't have been using words like "Clever" and "Impressive". In fact, I think it is a brilliant idea and applaud the materials science work that must have gone into finding an oil with all the correct properties. Not only that, they have working examples which is a good deal more than most woo-woo sites ever do.

Plus, we were only joking.

[Wrath of the Swarm]

Aha! I have proof that this is actually a clever fraud!

"Oil lenses" were described in Dune, by Frank Herbert. Obviously anything that appears in science fiction is impossible, thus, this must be a fraud!

Boy, that was a close one. Nearly fell into illogic and woo-wooism. But the price of mental liberty is attacking every new idea, no matter how reasonable or plausible it may be.

:P

[Captain Trips]

Originally posted by Wrath of the Swarm
Aha! I have proof that this is actually a clever fraud!

"Oil lenses" were described in Dune, by Frank Herbert. Obviously anything that appears in science fiction is impossible, thus, this must be a fraud!

Boy, that was a close one. Nearly fell into illogic and woo-wooism. But the price of mental liberty is attacking every new idea, no matter how reasonable or plausible it may be.

:P

Yeah, and look at those desktop computers in Star Trek (TOS) -- computers will NEVER be small enough to fit on a desk! And communicators? We'll NEVER have anything like phones that can fit on your belt. And, for that matter, the "vision screens" in Buck Rogers comics of the 30's? Hogwash. We'll never be able to send pictures by radio, let alone MOVING pictures.


Btw, in case you didn't know, I did realize you were being sarcastic. In fact, we all know that most of our "modern marvels" had their roots in science fiction. Now, if I could only use a transporter to commute to work ...

[epepke]

Can you tip it? What happens when you shake it? I couldn't get clear answers from the website, but the fact that all the ray and lens drawings were vertical when the convention since Newton has been horizontal maybe indicates that these have to be vertical. This would probably make them suitable for many applications, because you could just put a prism, but I don't think I want a digital camera that would only work within 10 degrees of horizontal.

[RCNelson]

epepke:
Can you tip it? What happens when you shake it? If both the insulating fluid and the conducting fluid have the same mass density, then it won't matter if it is tilted or shaken.

[epepke]

Originally posted by RCNelson
If both the insulating fluid and the conducting fluid have the same mass density, then it won't matter if it is tilted or shaken.

It sure as green apples will, while it is being rotated.

Furthermore, being able to correct quickly for field of focus is usually not as important as being able to be stable under rotation. When I was filming Cricket matches with one camera, I frequently had to follow the bowler, then pan extremely quickly over to the batter to catch the hit or the wicket or whatever. I couldn't have cared less about the difference in distance, but Instant Astigmatism during the rotation would have ruined it.

I don't know that this lens is particularly immune to this kind of abuse, as the web site wasn't clear. But I think it's a bit premature to talk about putting it into digital cameras, which the website did talk about.

[RCNelson]

epepke:
It sure as green apples will, while it is being rotated. Oops! You're right - rotation would be a tough problem.