Dark Vision
Digital cameras rely on silicon to turn light into electrical current. But for folks who want to work outside the visible spectrum, digital cameras haven’t served so well.
North Carolina State University physics professor Jan Schetzina, with Honeywell researchers, has replaced the silicon with the semiconductor gallium nitride to build a camera that is sensitive to ultraviolet but not to visible light. Because flames glow brightly in the UV, the military could use such a camera to track missile launches. Industry could apply it to monitor welding processes. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which helped fund Schetzina’s research, has given $1.4 million to Nitres in Westlake Village, Calif., to develop a UV camera.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
DeepMind’s cofounder: Generative AI is just a phase. What’s next is interactive AI.
“This is a profound moment in the history of technology,” says Mustafa Suleyman.
What to know about this autumn’s covid vaccines
New variants will pose a challenge, but early signs suggest the shots will still boost antibody responses.
Human-plus-AI solutions mitigate security threats
With the right human oversight, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can help keep business and customer data secure
Next slide, please: A brief history of the corporate presentation
From million-dollar slide shows to Steve Jobs’s introduction of the iPhone, a bit of show business never hurt plain old business.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.