"Origami optics" developed at UC San Diego may be what it takes to get cameras with zoom capabilities so slim that they fit into cell phones and other portable electronics. Electrical engineering Ph.D. student Eric Tremblay, one of the developers of the origami optics technology, presented his team's recent work at SIGGRAPH 08. The origami optics get their name from their ability to "fold up" incoming light so that the space required for light focusing -- the focal length -- is effectively reduced. The design "folds" the light entering the aperture by forcing it to bounce back and forth between mirrored surfaces within the optic. It is during this bouncing/folding that the light is focused, ...

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On Tuesday August 12th, a group of Calit2 staff and researchers took a day long trip to LA to attend this year's SIGGRAPH, the International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques. Last year Calit2 was lucky enough to host several SIGGRAPH activities and exhibits while the conference was being held in San Diego. Everyone in attendance at this year's show was impressed with the offerings in new media art exhibits, large commercial demos and displays, and of course the all important swag giveaways.

Several ...

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