Life Sciences Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Micromechanical infrared imager honored by Discover Magazine (July 1998)

A new technology developed by researchers in the Life Sciences Division was recently named a finalist in the "Sight" category of the 1998 DISCOVER Magazine Awards for Technological Innovation. Almost 4,000 innovators were invited to participate in the program, with only 44 finalists selected. Thomas Thundat, R. J. (Bruce) Warmack, and P. I. (Rick) Oden have succeeded in making infrared images by painstakingly moving the tip of an atomic microscope across the focal plane of a lens. Having proved it works, they are now looking for funding to build a microchip array of custom-made whiskers that will produce video-quality images. Eventually, the researchers expect this technology to make its way into diagnostic medical instruments, security-system cameras, or night scopes for cars.

Contact: Thomas Thundat
Phone: 574-6201
E-mail: thundattg@ornl.gov