A research team has reportedly invented a video camera (a prototype already exists) that is fully self-powered. This means it does not use any known source energys, such as batteries.
The revolutionary new camera can take one photo per second, indefinitely. Scientists designed a pixel that except of measuring light, it can also convert it into electricity.
Although digital cameras and solar panels have different purposes (the former count light while the second devices convert light into energy), both devices are made of the same essential components.
At the heart of each digital camera is an image sensor, a chip with millions of pixels. The key that allows the device to operate a pixel is the LED, which generates electricity when exposed to light. This mechanism allows each pixel to measure the intensity of the light falling on it. The same method (photodiode) is also used in solar panels to convert light into electricity.
The photodiode in its one pixel cameras is used in the standby photoconductor, while in a solar cell (solar cell) it is used in the photovoltaic model.
Shree K. Nayar, TC Chang Professor of Computer Science at Columbia Engineering, collaborated on the new camera with research engineer Daniel Sims, BS'14, and consultant Mikhail Fridberg of ADSP Consulting. The scientists built an image sensor of 30×40 pixels. In their prototype camera, which is contained in a 3D printed case, the photodiode of each pixel always functions as a photovoltaic as well.
The pixel design is very simple according to scientists, and uses only two transistors. During each image capture cycle, the pixels are used to capture and read the image first, and then to collect energy and charge the sensor. The image sensor is constantly switched between image capture and power collection.
When the camera is not used to take pictures, it can be used to generate power for other devices, such as a phone or a clock.
The survey was funded by the Maritime Research Bureau. The team will present her work at the International Congress of Computational Photography at Houston's Rice University, at 24-26 April, according to Sciencecodex.
