http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8580372.stm Invisage sensor (Invisage) The sensor can be integrated into existing manufacturing methods Tiny semiconductor particles known as "quantum dots" have been used in a sensor that could make for mobile phone cameras that outperform larger cousins. A film made from these dots is more light-sensitive than existing approaches to camera sensors, according to its makers, Invisage. That means that cameras made using the film need not be as large as some to achieve the same performance. InVisage suggests the films will make it into camera production by mid-2011. Digital camera sensors rely on silicon to do the crucial business of turning incoming light into an electric charge that the camera can measure and translate into an image. But the way silicon-based sensors are produced means that in many cases the light is partially blocked by the electronic connections that make the sensor work. Combined with the fact that silicon can turn only half of the incident light into electric charge, capturing light using silicon throws away about 75% of the light. "It is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to develop next-generation image sensors using silicon; essentially, silicon has hit a wall," said Jess Lee, the company's chief executive. "The fundamental problem is that silicon cannot capture light efficiently, but until now it has been the only option." That is where quantum dots come in. They are so named because they are single, tiny dots of semiconductor material whose light-absorbing properties - their predilection to absorb specific "quanta" of light energy - can be tightly controlled during manufacture. Invisage makes a soup of these quantum dots and spins it into what it calls a QuantumFilm. The firm said the approach could be easily integrated to existing semiconductor manufacturing methods. Because each quantum dot is so small, up to three times as many "pixels" can be squeezed into a given space, and the higher sensitivity gives better performance in low-light conditions. The company will formally unveil the technology at the Demo conference in California, which runs from 21 to 23 March.
There are two main problems with the small digital camera sensors found in phones, digicams, and most consumer cameras: noise and total lack of control over depth of field. While this "new film" might get rid of the noise, you still don't get any depth of field. Now put this technology in something usable, such as 35mm or higher format, and then it'll be awe-inspiring. Supposedly it also gives a lot of dynamic range to work with, so if it even matches silver halide film, then that is worth drooling over.
My old phone doesn't even have a working camera.. Because I dropped my new phone I got in January in a glass of soda on accident and didn't have phone insurance.. BAH.
Trust me, I laughed too. I had placed it on top of my fiancee's coffee mug to get to her laptop (cause it was on the laptop) and it just SO happened that I received a call right after I did that and it vibrated INTO THE MUG. Now, I hadn't gotten a call or text in like 12 hours, so I thought, "Hey, I'll just lay this on this mug cause its convenient, grab the laptop, then grab my phone." Timing is everything.. but I'm derailing the thread. Thought it was funny though.