Inside The Insect-Eye-Inspired Camera Capable Of Capturing 9,120 FPS

By John Oncea, Editor

Super-fast insect eye-inspired camera shoots 9,120 fps in 40 times darker light. The camera has an incredibly slim profile, measuring less than one millimeter thick.
High-speed cameras are used in many ways, including aerospace, where they can analyze propulsion systems' performance, combustion, and thrust processes. They also can study the aerodynamic characteristics of wings and airfoils.
In biomechanics, high-speed cameras can capture the jumping of frogs and insects, the strikes of mantis shrimp, and the swimming of fish. In ballistics, they can analyze the trajectory and performance of bullets, which can be used in forensic investigations, firearm safety tests, and military combat simulations.
High-speed cameras can capture lightning flashes, which can be combined with electric field measuring instrumentation to map the propagation of lightning leaders. They too can be used to study fluid flow, such as the impact of a droplet onto a surface.
In product development, high-speed cameras can help developers identify weaknesses in new products, such as crack propagation or fracture lines. They also can capture chemical reactions including the explosion of alkali metals on contact with water.
Recently, researchers developed a low-cost, high-speed, less than one-millimeter-thick camera that overcomes the limitations of frame rate and sensitivity faced by conventional high-speed cameras. Inspired by insects’ eyes, the camera can capture 9,120 frames per second​.
Overcoming Conventional High-Speed Camera Limitations
The insect-eye-inspired camera was developed by researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to overcome the limitations of conventional high-speed cameras by mimicking the visual structure of insect compound eyes, writes Tech Xplore.
Aerospace Testing International adds the bio-inspired camera is remarkably compact, measuring less than one millimeter in thickness, yet capable of capturing 9,120 frames per second while maintaining clear image quality in low-light conditions. This achievement is particularly significant as it addresses a critical challenge in imaging technology: maintaining high sensitivity at increased frame rates.
The camera's design incorporates multiple optical channels and temporal summation, mirroring the parallel detection capabilities of insect eyes. Unlike traditional monocular camera systems, this bio-inspired camera employs a compound-eye-like structure that allows for the simultaneous acquisition of frames from different time intervals.
One of the most impressive aspects of this camera is its ability to capture objects up to 40 times dimmer than those detectable by conventional high-speed cameras. This enhanced sensitivity is achieved through a process where light is accumulated over overlapping time periods for each frame, significantly increasing the signal-to-noise ratio.
The research team also implemented a channel-splitting technique which dramatically enhances the camera’s speed. This innovation allows the device to achieve frame rates thousands of times faster than those supported by typical image sensors used in packaging. Additionally, a compressed image restoration algorithm was developed to eliminate blur caused by frame integration, ensuring the reconstruction of sharp images.
Applications And Future Developments
The potential applications for this technology are vast and diverse, notes Aerospace Testing International. The camera’s compact size, high-speed capabilities, and superior low-light performance make it suitable for various fields, including portable camera systems, security surveillance, medical imaging, biomedical research, mobile devices, and automotive safety systems.
The research team plans to extend this technology further by developing advanced image processing algorithms for 3D imaging and super-resolution imaging. These developments could lead to significant advancements in biomedical imaging, mobile device cameras, and other camera technologies.
This insect-eye-inspired camera represents a significant leap forward in imaging technology. Overcoming the traditional trade-off between frame rate and sensitivity opens up new possibilities for capturing fast-moving objects in challenging lighting conditions.
The camera’s ability to provide clear images at such high frame rates while maintaining sensitivity in low-light environments could revolutionize various industries. For instance, in medical imaging, it could enable more detailed and accurate diagnostics. In the field of security and surveillance, it could enhance the ability to capture and analyze rapid events in any lighting condition.
The development of this bio-inspired camera by Korean researchers marks a significant milestone in the field of imaging technology. By drawing inspiration from the intricate visual systems of insects, the team has created a device that pushes the boundaries of what's possible in high-speed and low-light imaging.
As this technology continues to evolve and find applications across various sectors, it has the potential to transform how we capture and analyze visual information. From advancing scientific research to enhancing everyday consumer devices, the impact of this insect-eye-inspired camera is likely to be far-reaching and profound.