3D Images in the Air

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/latest_research/2006/20060210/20060210.html' target='_blank'>http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/latest...0/20060210.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST, President: Hiroyuki Yoshikawa) and Keio University (President: Yuichiro Anzai), in collaboration with Burton Inc. (CEO: Hideki Kimura), have succeeded in the experimental fabrication of a device displaying "real 3D images" which consist of dot arrays in space where there is nothing but air. Most of the 3D displays reported until now draw pseudo-3D images on 2D planes by utilizing the human binocular disparity. However, many problems occur, e.g., the limitation of the visual field, and the physiological displeasure due to the misidentification of virtual images. The device we have developed utilizes the plasma emission phenomenon near the focal point of focused laser light. By controlling the position of the focal point in the direction of the x-, y-, and z-axes, we have succeeded in displaying real 3D-images constructed by dot arrays in air (3D-space)."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060218-3DImages.jpg" /><br /><br />This is very off-topic, but so awesome that I simply couldn't let it pass. With focused laser beams and subsequent air plasma emission, Japanese scientists were able to draw 3D "objects" in the air without a projection surface of any sort. :rock on dude!:

[MG]

Can "Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi?" be far behind?

Mark

[davea0511]

Very cool, but extremely limited usefulness until they figure out how to create opaque elements. I don't see how they could possibly do that in room-air, but if they simply replaced the air with a heat activated phase change material like chalcogenides (CD-RW technology) then the possibilities are endless.

Phase change material research is making some huge strides (see www.ovonyx.com for example), and combined with this technology I expect we'll be seeing some ultra cool stuff in the next 10 years.

[saru83]

SOO C00L, i cant imagine how technology is moving forward that fast. i bet this will advance real fast &amp; they will find something practical to use it for. 8)

[galt]

Wow, that is very cool. The gamer in me can't wait to see the game system that first incorporates this into a true 3D display... but "utilizes the plasma emission phenomenon" doesn't make it sound like it's going to be cheap...

[welmoed]

I sent this link to my son and his only comment was, "Is the Holodeck far behind?"

The pace of technology development really stuns me sometimes. I know there will be a time in the not-too-far distant future when we will look back on this quaint first attempt at 3-D projection and smirk at its primitiveness. I mean, remember when Pong was something truly awesome?

--Welmoed

[johnnylocust]

SOO C00L, i cant imagine how technology is moving forward that fast. i bet this will advance real fast &amp; they will find something practical to use it for. 8)

I remember thinking the exact thing about e-Ink 10 years ago.