Seeing With Your Skin?

Iddo Genuth writes to tell us that a researcher from Tel Aviv University is exploring the possibility that humans may be able to "see" via their skin. Professor Leonid Yaroslavsky hopes to utilize this possible technology to find solutions for the blind in addition to new types of image capture that might be able to work where conventional lenses fail. Unfortunately he has a long uphill battle ahead to convince others that his theories are possible. "The lenses currently used for optics-based imaging have many problems. They only work within a limited range of electromagnetic radiation. Relatively, these are still costly devices greatly limited by weight and field of view. The imaging Professor Yaroslavsky has in mind has no lenses and he believes the devices can be adapted to any kind of radiation and wavelength. They could essentially work with a 360-degree field of view and their imaging capability will only be determined by computer power rather than the laws of light diffraction."

Comments

Hope springs eternal

[overshoot]

I remember reports like this from the 60s.

Of course, like any memories from the 60s ...

Re:Hope springs eternal

[Emperor Zombie]

Long time no see! Let's go burn one man.

I know you feel like celebrating, but that's no excuse to go around burning people.

Re:My eyebrows are raised

[philspear]

Yes, but does that increase or decrease what you're seeing with your forehead?

Sir, Put Your Shirt Back On.

[bill_mcgonigle]

"I'm just having a look around."

Seriously, though:

These theories may lead to future devices with practical applications. He says that such devices will end up having distinct advantages over conventional optics-based imaging. He expects these devices to have special sensors for detecting radiation at sea and in airports to indentify terrorist threats, innovative night vision devices or near-weightless mechanisms to steer spaceships in space.

Did anybody else read this, "Homeland Security grants, DARPA grants, or NASA grants would all be just fine."

Obvious in retrospect

[David Gerard]

The next stage after talking out your ass.

That will come in handy ...

[PPH]

... as an excuse when I'm staring at some gal's tits while talking to her. Hey, they were staring at me first!