On Monday, MIT researchers unveiled their captivating underwater camera prototype that operates by harnessing the energy from sound waves in the ocean, instead of using batteries, for its deep-sea imaging adventures. Moreover, it can function even in the dimmest conditions.
After that, it can transmit all the photo data wirelessly to a computer for reconstruction, through the water. This implies that if the model is enlarged, it could possibly make a considerable advancement towards the huge goal of mapping every part of the Earth’s oceans.
Despite the fact that 70% of our planet’s surface is covered by water (excluding its depth), it is estimated by the research team that we have only managed to observe less than 5% of the ocean. One of the contributing factors to this limited knowledge is the difficulty in building viable underwater cameras, which is hindered by battery restrictions.
Basically, an operational imager in the ocean cannot venture too far away from a vessel due to limited power. Manufacturing a battery that can last for an extended period of time can be costly, and it is not efficient to constantly retrieve and recharge the camera during expeditions. Therefore, the recently suggested camera fueled by sound waves has the potential to revolutionize deep-sea exploration.
“In the statement, Fadel Adib, an associate professor in the department of electrical engineering and computer science at MIT, expressed personal excitement about one particular use of this camera: climate monitoring. He explained that while climate models are being developed, over 95% of ocean data is still lacking. The introduction of this technology could improve the accuracy of climate models, allowing for a better understanding of how climate change affects the underwater world.”
For example, this camera has the capability to effortlessly capture pictures of oceanic pollution, supervise the well-being of fish in aquaculture farms, where the commercial breeding of fish takes place, and potentially show how marine habitats are developing. Currently, oceans are warming at a rapid pace because of human-caused climate change, which is causing marine creatures to be removed from their habitats, compelled to move, and in some cases, forced to adjust much faster than their bodies can cope with.
To demonstrate the validity of their approach, the team of researchers trialed their system by producing color images of plastic bottles present in a pond located in New Hampshire. They additionally recorded high-resolution images of an African starfish which clearly displayed the small protrusions on its limbs. On the whole, this seems to be a promising step forward in resolving the issue of underwater batteries.
The team’s camera’s incredible functionality may be more thrilling than its potential impact in the long run.
Transforming sound waves into visual images
Essentially, as the team elucidated, this camera running on sound waves exploits the pre-existing noise in the ocean. The sound is produced by passing vessels, aquatic creatures, tidal movements, and similar sources. Nevertheless, what precisely is sound?
Sound is not an ethereal force, but it arises from waves that propagate through a medium and cause it to vibrate on a very small scale. This medium can be anything that has atoms, such as air or water. When air vibrations stimulate our eardrums, the brain interprets the signal as sound. This is also why sounds appear distorted when we are underwater. It’s not that the sound itself is warped, but rather that sound waves interact with water molecules differently.
Alright, the vibrations are crucial for the team’s latest camera mechanism, designed for use underwater.
The tiny apparatus is enveloped in a unique substance that generates an electric impulse each time it comes into contact with sound waves that travel through water. Essentially, these vibrations cause the device to vibrate in turn. Consequently, the mechanical energy is transformed into electrical energy, resulting in a consistently powered underwater camera.
Moreover, in order to ensure that the camera doesn’t consume excessive power, the team utilized readily available imaging sensors and low-cost flash devices which are only capable of capturing images in black and white. Subsequently, they employed a rather traditional method of acquiring a complete color image.
“In art class, we learned that we could create all colors using three primary colors. The same applies to color images displayed on our computers. By using only three channels — red, green, and blue — we can produce any color image,” stated Waleed Akbar, co-author of the study and a researcher at MIT.
Initially, the camera obtains the image by utilizing a red LED light filter that is specifically designed for this purpose, followed by a blue filter and a green one. When combined, a complete picture is produced. In conclusion, the image information is then transformed into computer language, consisting of binary code, which is the interesting part.
The sound waves are transmitted back to the receiver. The camera receiver sends out its own sound waves towards the camera, which can reflect or absorb them. This process generates a binary code that conveys the image data to the receiver.
“In a statement, Sayed Saad Afzal, a researcher at MIT, stated that this entire process, which only requires a single switch to transform the device from a non-reflective state to a reflective state, consumes five orders of magnitude less power compared to typical underwater communication systems.”
At present, the camera has a transmission range of only 40 meters from the receiver. Nevertheless, the team aims to enhance the range and memory capacity of the device in the future.
They claimed that eventually, it may have the ability to capture photos in real-time and possibly even transmit confidential information from underwater directly to a computer.
