Photos: Researchers focus on electronic eye camera

Click on the above image to see how the 256-pixel electronic eye camera will work.

(Credit: Beckman Institute, University of Illinois)

Researchers at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University have created a camera with a layout similar in size and shape to the human eye. The eye camera is based on "single-crystalline silicon detectors and electronics, configured in a stretchable, interconnected mesh," according to the University of Illinois.

The curved technology will put an entire image in focus, in contrast to today's cameras, which take images that are sharper in the center than near the edges, according to researchers. Plus, the technology could be a big step toward the development of a bionic eye similar to the one worn by the "Terminator."

Click on the image at the top of this post for more.

[mcarrieri]

Wow. This is an eye-opener! Seriously, have surgeon's groups been given info on how to implant them? Will these replace macular degeneration, cataracts, and glass eyes? What about making "glasses" with a pair (or more!) of these? I propose multi-lens studies be done, to give insight on insect and arachnid sight. Also, more simply, why do we only have two eyes? Would three, four or more be better? Can we implant side -facing or rear-facing eyes and have or brains process the info? Good luck to the scientists involved. I hope they are able to put this to use in humans soon.

[e-mail]

[superaznman]

dont get too exicted. this is a 256 PIXEL camera (not megapixel) i doubt the image will be clear enough for replacement eyes

[ender21]

Come on, now. 256 pixels today will be 25 megapixels tomorrow. That's the same attitude that said "I don't need more than a 540MB hard drive" either. More becomes possible as the technology evolves. It will get there!

[GlennAllen]

540MB? My first PC didn't even have a hard drive. My first modem was 300 baud... acoustic. In less than 30 years, we've gotten from there to here--technologically speaking. It won't take anywhere near that long to get to a feasible bionic eye. It won't be long before "We have the technology..." becomes fact instead of (science) fiction, though whether it will cost 6 million dollars... who knows?