World's Fastest Film Camera

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The World's Fastest Film Camera 

Basic Summary 

In recent years there has been many new advancements in camera technology. In recent years, camera's have even been developed that can take 100,000 images per second. This seems like an insane amount of pictures in a very short amount of time. But new technology developed at Lund University in Sweden makes these cameras seems rather dated and slow. They have developed a prototype camera, that takes picture at a rate equal five trillion images per second and is able to capture actions that are a short at .2 trillionths of a second. This camera is estimated to be available to be used by people in two years. This technology may seem completely unimportant to the average person, because the average person does not need to capture actions that take place within .2 trillionths of a second, but it will have great impacts in the areas of physics, chemistry, and biology. This technology is very current and the video  below was only posted at the end of last month. 

What makes this Camera different from others?

This camera uses an innovative algorithm, rather than capturing several coded images in one picture like other cameras. This camera then sorts the pictures into a video sequence afterwards. This camera exposes what is being filmed to light in the form of laser flashes where each light pulse is given a unique code. The object reflects the light flashes which merge into the single photograph. They are subsequently separated using an encryption key. The  technology present in this camera has been named F.R.A.M.E, which stands for Frequency Recognition Algorithm for Multiple Exposures.

Why Was It Made and How is Revolutionary? 

This camera was initially developed because researchers wanted more insight into rapid processes that occur in nature. Some process, that occur in nature, happen at speeds that are so extremely fast that it is hard for humans to comprehend. Some of these process include brain activity, plasma flashes, and chemical reactions. The researchers and engineers were happy that they were breaking records, but that was not their ultimate goal. They are most excited that their camera is able to film how specific substances change in the same process. One researcher said he was happy because "Today, the only way to visualise such rapid events is to photograph still images of the process. You then have to attempt to repeat identical experiments to provide several still images which can later be edited into a movie. The problem with this approach is that it is highly unlikely that a process will be identical if you repeat the experiment,". This new technology would allow millions of photographs to be taken of one process at an amazing rate of speed. It is hopeful that this technology will be useful to shed new light on various processes that occur in many different fields of study. The applications for this technology are limitless and extremely exciting.