Skip to main content

Scientists create world’s first self-powered camera (though it needs some work)

scientists create worlds first self powered camera
Image used with permission by copyright holder
No, the somewhat eerie picture above isn’t showing off a new Instagram filter called Murky (or Dismal?), it’s actually an image taken by a revolutionary new kind of digital video camera that’s entirely self-powered.

That’s right, this particular contraption, developed by scientists at Columbia University, is able to function quite happily without the need for a battery or solar panels, a development that means the dreaded low-battery warning sign on your smartphone or standalone shooter could one day be a thing of the past.

Recommended Videos

So how does it work? Well, after realizing that camera sensors function in a similar way to solar cells, the team designed a sensor that incorporates technology capable of transferring the light that it receives into usable energy.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“We have designed a simple pixel circuit, where the pixel’s photodiode can be used to not only measure the incident light level, but also to convert the incident light into electrical energy,” the research team said on the project’s website.

Although the camera’s current technology means the resulting images are, to put it mildly, a little on the fuzzy side (the sensor only has 1200 pixels, after all), the scientists behind the project believe big improvements are on the way, and claim its technology “could lead to a fully self-powered solid-state image sensor that produces a useful resolution and frame rate.”

“We are in the middle of a digital imaging revolution,” lead researcher Shree Nayar said in a release.

Columbia University's self-powered camera

He added, “I think we have just seen the tip of the iceberg. Digital imaging is expected to enable many emerging fields, including wearable devices, sensor networks, smart environments, personalized medicine, and the Internet of Things. A camera that can function as an untethered device forever – without any external power supply – would be incredibly useful.”

You can check out a video shot by the self-powered camera above.

[Source: Columbia University]

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
The excellent intermediate Canon EOS R10 camera is $86 off at Walmart today
Canon EOS R10 camera mirrorless with STM lens attached and flash up

I recently grabbed a Canon EOS R50 bundle for a trip to the Dominican Republic. I did a lot of research before I made my decision, sifting through the best camera deals, and the two options I essentially narrowed down were the R50 and the EOS R10. The biggest difference between the two is that the R10 gives you more granular control over some of the photoshoot settings. R50, on the other hand, was designed assuming you'll mostly use the automatic shooting modes. That's a great option for novices, while the R10 is better for intermediate to more skilled photographers. Why am I telling you all of this? Because the excellent Canon EOS R10 camera is on sale at Walmart for Black Friday, discounted by $86 to $760 instead of $846. It is one of the better early Black Friday camera deals I've found so far. It comes with an 18-45mm lens. Needless to say, that's a great deal. Comparatively, the R10 with body only -- no lens -- is .

 
Why shop the Canon EOS R10 camera in Walmart's early Black Friday sale?

Read more
SpaceX images show the awesome power of Starship’s Raptor engines
The Super Heavy booster's Raptor engines powering the Starship's launch on November 19, 2024.

SpaceX has posted some incredible images showing the Super Heavy booster's 33 Raptor engines as they powered the Starship rocket skyward at the start of the vehicle’s sixth test flight on Tuesday.

“[Thirty-three] Raptor engines powering the Super Heavy booster off the pad from Starbase,” SpaceX wrote in the message on X.

Read more
This Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 instant camera bundle is $90 for Cyber Monday
The contents of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 instant camera bundle.

We're already seeing the best Cyber Monday camera deals all over. In fact, many of Walmart's Cyber Monday deals are going strong, for example, including their Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 instant camera bundle, which is currently still on sale for only $90. Saving 10% also makes this deal the perfect holiday gift, giving your loved one everything they'll need to start making instant camera memories. You'll have to hurry, though, as there's no assurance that this bargain will last as long as most of the other Cyber Monday deals that are sticking around.

Why you should buy the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 instant camera bundle
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is an instant camera that gives you the photo that you took in just a few seconds. It prints immediately, like an old-school Polaroid. It's also very beginner-friendly, as it will automatically choose the most appropriate shutter speed based on your surroundings for the perfect shot. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 also has a selfie mode that you can activate by pulling out the lens barrel, and you can use the selfie mirror to make sure that you're taking the perfect selfie.

Read more