Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Amir H Hirsa

Michael J Vogel

Bernard A Malouin, Jr

Lili Cheng

Joseph D Olles

Carlos A Lopez

A liquid lens structure and method of fabrication are provided. The liquid lens includes a substrate with a channel opening extending through the substrate. A liquid drop is disposed within the channel and an enclosure at least partially surrounds the substrate, and forms a chamber. The liquid drop resides within the chamber, and a second liquid is disposed within the chamber in direct or indirect contact with the liquid drop at a first interface and a second interface. The first and second interfaces define first and second protruding liquid portions relative to the first and second surfaces, respectively. Taken together, the first and second liquid portions define a total protruding liquid volume. A lens magnification control is provided for adjusting magnification of the liquid lens by increasing or decreasing the total protruding liquid volume defined relative to the first and second surfaces.

Liquid lens with magnification control

An oscillating liquid lens and imaging system and method employing the lens are provided. The liquid lens includes a substrate with a channel opening extending through the substrate. A liquid drop is disposed within the channel and is sized with a first droplet portion, including a first capillary surface, protruding away from a first substrate surface, and a second droplet portion, including a second capillary surface, protruding away from a second substrate surface. The liquid lens further includes an enclosure at least partially surrounding the substrate, and including a chamber. The liquid drop resides within the chamber, and the liquid lens includes a second liquid disposed within the chamber in direct or indirect contact with the liquid drop, and the liquid lens further includes a driver for oscillating the liquid drop within the channel.

Pinned contact, oscillating liquid-liquid lens and imaging systems

A non-oscillating liquid lens and imaging system and method employing the lens are provided. The liquid lens includes a substrate with a channel opening extending through the substrate. A liquid lens drop is held within the channel and is sized with a first droplet portion, including a first capillary surface, protruding away from a first substrate surface, and a second droplet portion, including a second capillary surface, protruding away from a second substrate surface. The liquid lens further includes an enclosure at least partially surrounding the substrate, and which includes a chamber. The liquid lens drop resides within the chamber, and the liquid lens includes a second liquid disposed within the chamber in direct or indirect contact with the liquid lens drop, and an actuator which facilitates adjusting configuration of the liquid lens drop within the channel, and thus, a focal distance of the liquid lens.

Reconfigurable, non-oscillating liquid lens and imaging systems

An oscillating liquid lens and imaging system and method employing the lens are provided. The liquid lens includes a substrate with a channel opening extending therethrough between a first and second surface. A liquid drop is disposed within the channel and is sized with a first droplet portion, including a first capillary surface, protruding away from the first surface, and a second droplet portion, including a second capillary surface, protruding away from the second surface. The liquid lens further includes an oscillator operatively coupled to either the first droplet portion or the second droplet portion for oscillating the liquid drop within the channel. The imaging system, in addition to the oscillating liquid lens, also includes an image sensor coupled to an image path which passes through the first and second droplet portions for capturing one or more images through the oscillating liquid drop.

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Clifton Park, NY, United States of America

Amir H Hirsa