Mantis shrimp eyes could lead to better DVDs
The eyes of a marine crustacean could inspire the next generation of DVD players, according to a new study.Boffins say the giant mantis shrimp can see in 12 primary colours, compared to our three. It can also distinguish between different forms of polarised light.
This is because Mantis shrimp's eyes contain special light-sensitive cells which act as quarter-wave plates rotating the plane of the oscillations (the polarization) of a light.
Man made versions of these are used in DVD and Blu-ray players and experts say by studying the shrimp eyes, they could develop much better quality discs which can work across the whole visible spectrum.
While we don't know exactly what this mean … we do know it means we will have to buy yet another copy of Bladerunner.
Dr Nicholas Roberts said: "Our work reveals for the first time the unique design and mechanism of the quarter-wave plate in the mantis shrimp's eye.
"It really is exceptional – out-performing anything we humans have so far been able to create."
"What's particularly exciting is how beautifully simple it is. This natural mechanism, comprised of cell membranes rolled into tubes, completely outperforms synthetic designs.
"It could help us make better optical devices in the future using liquid crystals that have been chemically engineered to mimic the properties of the cells in the mantis shrimp's eye."
LINKS
University of Bristol
"It really is exceptional – out-performing anything we humans have so far been able to create."
"What's particularly exciting is how beautifully simple it is. This natural mechanism, comprised of cell membranes rolled into tubes, completely outperforms synthetic designs.
"It could help us make better optical devices in the future using liquid crystals that have been chemically engineered to mimic the properties of the cells in the mantis shrimp's eye."
LINKS
University of Bristol
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