A Lexicon podcast episode with engineer Moran Bercovici reveals how freeform optics can build larger telescope lenses in space.
We primarily discuss how Bercovici’s Fluid Shaping Method can advance the creation of optics in low-resource environments such as in space and developing countries.Astronaut Eytan Stibbe looking through a large water lens he created on board the ISS, as part of Technion’s and NASA Rakia Mission experiment Credit: Rakia
His research journey led him to the intersection of fluid mechanics and medical diagnostics, particularly in urine analysis. “At that point in life, I was also very interested in applications in life and medical sciences,” he highlights. “We do exactly that, but not into the bathtub. Putting electric fields on liquids is an additional force,” he adds., meaning charged molecules in the liquid. “And when we apply an electric field to them, interesting things happen,” he states.
Through innovative approaches involving polymer injection and UV curing, Bercovici’s team has pioneered a novel method for lens manufacturing. They claim it’s a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional methods.“Imagine a droplet of water,” emphasizes Bercovici. “Droplets have two really important, useful characteristics for optics. One is they’re spherical… and the other is that they’re very, very smooth.
“This counters gravity, enabling the creation of droplets of any size, crucial for lens fabrication,” he explains. He describes this as “the magic” of their approach. “And the water in the container is actually reusable over multiple lenses. So we think, we hope, it’s a viable way of moving forward,” he notes. An AI-generated image of a conceptual image of an eyeglasses store in space.during extended space travel, Moran sees an opportunity. To address this challenge, eyeglasses can be produced onboard spacecraft using fluid shaping methods.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Your SoCal Weather Report For Friday, March 8: Sunny And WarmerGillian Morán Pérez is an assistant producer for LAist 89.3.
Read more »
General deep learning framework for emissivity engineeringWavelength-selective thermal emitters (WS-TEs) have been frequently designed to achieve desired target emissivity spectra, as in typical emissivity engineering, for broad applications such as thermal camouflage, radiative cooling, and gas sensing, etc.
Read more »
Faculty Positions at SUSTech Department of Biomedical Engineering - Shenzhen, Guangdong, China job with Southern University of Science and Technology (Biomedical Engineering)The Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) , Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), seeks outstanding applicants for full-time tenure-track/tenured faculty positions. Positions are available for both junior and senior-level applicants.
Read more »
Faculty Position in Biology by Design (Biotech Metabolic Engineering) and Engineering Biology - Saudi Arabia (SA) job with King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThe Bioengineering (BioE) Program in the Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) bridges the University’s strengths in Engineering, Chemistry and Biology.
Read more »
‘Nuts and Bolts’ showcases the 7 building blocks of modern engineeringScience News reviews Roma Agrawal's book, which updates the classic list of simple machines and reveals the heart and soul of engineering.
Read more »
Faculty Positions in School of Engineering, Westlake University - Yungu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China job with School of Engineering, Westlake UniversityAbout us Founded in 2018, Westlake University is a new type of non-profit research-oriented university in Hangzhou, China, supported by public and private funding.
Read more »