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A Brief History of Williard Boyle and George Smith

Rosa Golijan — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:40:00 +0000

Williard “Mr. Modesty” Boyle and George “Three Page Dissertation” Smith, extraordinary sailors and co-winners of this year’s Nobel prize in physics deserve time in our spotlight: they invented the CCD image sensors which gave our digital cameras eyes.

It took them a while to get there, but once they crossed paths, Boyle and Smith quickly got to work on our beloved CCD image sensors, changing our digital photographs forever. And one day, as the rest of the world had their eyes on the moon in 1969, they finalised their device, which would let us capture images of it.

Williard Boyle had a brief teaching career after his stint in the Royal British Navy, earning his BSc, MSc and PhD from McGill University. He then moved on to join Bell Labs, working up to being director of the Space Science and Exploratory Studies department where he provided “support for the Apollo space program and help[ed] to select lunar landing sites”. After some time away from that, he “returned to Bell Labs in 1964, working on the development of integrated circuits”. All the while it was remarked that he truly was a modest and “self-effacing” man, almost a stereotype of the quiet genius.

While we don’t know whether he was cocky or modest, George E. Smith followed a vaguely similar path: he served in the US Navy, then earned a BSc from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD from the University of Chicago, where he did in fact write a three-page-long dissertation. He also joined Bell Labs and began to research lasers and semiconductor devices.

Yes, with their beginnings in space exploration and lasers, it seems almost obvious that these two were bound to come up with something incredible, but I doubt that they even dreamed about inventing something that we would use or see results of on a daily basis.

Dearest Williard, beloved George: Today we thank you for your inventions and congratulate you on your Nobel prize. After all, without you, our porn wouldn’t be the high-quality digital video we so enjoy. [Digital Photography Review and Wikipedia and Wikipedia]

Nobel Prize In Physics Rewards Fiber Optics Expert, CCD Creators

Jack Loftus — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000

So apparently a controversial Nobel Peace Prize was awarded this week. Forget that one. Focus instead on the far geekier one that was also awarded this week. Why? Because we gadget lovers have a lot to be thankful for!

The Nobel Prize for physics is the award in question, and it was actually split between two winners this year.

The first, Charles K. Kao, is the man most responsible for making fibre optic communication the force it is today. Whenever you fire up FiOS next, give thanks to Kao.

The second winner is actually two people: Willard Boyle and George Smith. These two chaps invented the CCD. No, not the Catholic classes your parents forced you to go to when you were a child, the CCD device that’s used in countless thousands of digital cameras and other similar gadgets.

Of course if you combine the two breakthroughs you get digital porn, for which, as far as I know, there is no Nobel category. Regardless, lots to be thankful for today. [DPRReview via CrunchGear]

Flash Memory Sensors: 100x Smaller Than CCDs, Better At Low Light

Chris Jacob — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:20:00 +0000

CCD and CMOS sensors take great images, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. They’re bulky and bad in low light. It turns out that flash memory can actually double as a light sensor, and could solve both these problems.

Apparently, flash memory cells are highly receptive to light and capable of creating a completely digital image. A focused beam of light directed at sector on the chip becomes a pixel, no analog-to-digital conversion required. Flash memory sensors are up to 100x smaller than current CCDs, too. By my math, that means I could have a 200MP phone camera in my pocket right now.

The drawback: Small pixels are less receptive to light, which could mean problems as pixel density increases. The data also only comes in as 1s or 0s, so grayscale is tricky. Regardless, the researchers are already achieving better grayscale and low-light performance than seen in CMOS sensors.

Edoardo Charbon and the rest of the team at the Technical University of Delft hope to have a working prototype by 2010. We’re still waiting for response from Canon on the rumoured, memory-sensor-based D40 Pico. [Wired]

What’s the Difference Between CMOS and CCD? Giz Explained It

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:59:22 +0000

Almost a year ago, we explained image sensors. This week, with all the camera news, it seems fitting to mention that, along with our explainers on the upside of lenses and the downside of megapixels.

Your Digital Camera Is Obsolete: Japanese Image Sensor 100x More Sensitive Than Current Chips

Matt Buchanan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Right now, your camera either has a CCD (most point and shoots) or a CMOS image sensor (lots of DSLRs) inside, which converts pretty pictures into an electrical signal. Japan’s Research Centre for Photovoltaics has developed a CIGS image sensor that’s 100 times more light-sensitive than the silicon chip inside your cam. It’s able to shoot in environments as dark as 0.001 lux, or about as dark as a “moonless clear night.” Obviously, it’ll be great for night vision gear, but it also picks up infrared, giving this some serious Sam Fisher applications. Check out the comparison shot between a CMOS and CIGS below, it’s insane. Chen won’t need that invisible coat, just a good zoom lens.

[Tech On]

Toshiba IK-HD1 is World’s Smallest HDTV Camera

Haroon Malik — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:59:00 +0000

With vital measurements of 1.6-inches cubed and 65 grams in weight, Toshiba’s IK-HD1 waltzes in to easily steal the “Smallest HDTV Camera, Ever” title. Packed to the miniature eyeballs with three CCD chips, the 1K-HD1 can capture video at broadcast-quality at 1080i, but it won’t be making its way to your camcorder anytime soon. The tiny marvel is actually intended for professional broadcasting, and needs to be hooked up to a rather sizable control unit, which can be placed up to 90-feet away. It appears Mr Professional Broadcasting wins again. Dammit. [DVice]

Sony Using CMOS Camera For Cars, CMOS!

Mark Wilson — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:17:09 +0000

We’re gonna go a little ubergeek on you for a moment and celebrate that Sony is using CMOS video cameras for Nissan’s upcoming “around view monitor,” a camera system giving you an overhead view of your car for parking and moments when you just want to look like OJ on the highway. These cameras grab 1.3MP at 30 frames per second. No, the specs aren’t amazing. But here’s why we’re excited. CMOS chips have traditionally been great for still cameras, but analogue master CCD has long ruled the video world. And CCD has traditionally been better in low light situations, especially. So why fix what’s not broken? CMOS is cheap. Real cheap. And it’s good to see the video being used in applications other than the surprisingly effective point ‘n shoots with video.

And this Nissan system looks pretty neat, too. [fareastgizmos via gearfuse]

Post PMA: Pentax quick snaps for the fans

Seamus Byrne — Tue, 08 May 2007 23:55:13 +0000

No, not quite done yet with the PMA wrap up. So much good stuff to see, so little time to write it all up (yeah, the writing is the annoying part of the job). Anyway, some asked to see the new Pentax 645AF Digital and the sassy DA* lenses. I wasn’t able to get much goss from the mouth of Pentax reps, but I’ve at least got some snaps for you!

Sadly, the Pentax crew from C.R. Kennedy were notably unhelpful. I tried on five occasions to get some access to the Pentax gear and get their rundown on what’s hot, but I was ignored time and time again. I’m afraid I had better things to do than fight my way through their defence shields.

I did get some help on the consumer-friendly instant lines, and will explore their new touchscreen T30 in a few.

More of the very sexy 645AF shots, and the DA* 50-135mm on the Pentax K10, after the jump.

-Seamus Byrne