Feb 10 2014
Blurry nighttime pictures could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to research by a team of SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) scientists that has led to the development of ultrathin “nanosheets.”
This technology enables pictures to be captured in extremely low light settings and could dramatically improve the performance of cell phone cameras, video cameras, medical imaging equipment such as MRI machines, and even solar cells.
This pioneering research, which was published in ACS Nano, would also be cost-effective to implement. The ultrathin indium(III) selenide (In2Se3) –based photodetectors use less material because they consist of nano-sized components (a nanometer is a billionth of a meter) that are highly efficient at detecting light in real-time. As a result, this technology is perfectly suited for inclusion in a wide variety of everyday devices, including today’s smartphones, which are often used to take pictures but still suffer from limitations such as an inability to take clear photos in low light environments. This research could allow even novice photographers to be able to take sharper images in such dark situations, such as when a child is blowing out birthday candles in a dimly lit room.
“Currently, the sensors in digital cameras cannot take quality images under low-light conditions. For example, taking a good picture in a dimly lit room requires a long exposure which often results in a blurred image. Hollywood needs to use special lights and filters to make a scene appear dark because filming must be done in well-lit conditions. Future cameras based on these nanosheet photodetectors may be able to provide a robust, real-time picture in even the most extreme low-light conditions." said Robin Jacobs-Gedrim, CNSE Research Assistant. “Our work could also lead to next-generation applications, making solar panels more efficient, scientific instruments more precise, and medical imaging equipment even more accurate, which shows the power of CNSE’s nano-based research to find technological solutions for a range of industries.”
“We are thrilled to share the findings of this CNSE research team as it showcases the college’s leading-edge capabilities in this collaborative, high-tech ecosystem which is driving game-changing research to improve everyday technologies,” said Dr. Bin Yu, CNSE Professor of Nanoengineering. “This research is exciting not only because it is a further testament to the caliber of CNSE’s scientists and state-of-the-art facilities, but also because it could lead to more efficient imaging devices for the improvement of healthcare, the advancement of real-time video recording, and the development of more efficient photovoltaics, all of which have the potential to improve countless lives.”