LG Innotek and Corning are jointly working on a new project. This collaboration between the brands is for the research on a new liquid lens technology, which could potentially bring benefits for the photography aspect of smartphones.
According to TheElec report, the news arrives from patent filings that were recently spotted. Both brands have 50-50 stakes in the nine patents that are related to the liquid lens technology. The core technologies listed in these patents include a liquid lens system, how to control a camera lens (which features the liquid lens), and lens curvature varying instrument. The liquid lens has a vinyl bag shaped lens with liquid material. So, the lens is capable of going in and out of focus depending on the curvature of the liquid that can be changed with a current of voltage.
To put things simply, unlike a conventional lens, the liquid lens does not have to move to control focal length. This would enable smartphone makers to make thinner camera modules since the liquid lens changes as per the requirements and does not physically move. Furthermore, it could even bring various improvements in the camera performance of smartphones as well.
The new technology could potentially offer faster and more accurate focusing abilities, which is useful in video captures. On the other hand, the technology could also enable OEMs to develop better stabilization for cameras, which, in turn, would lead to clearer low light images as well. Unfortunately, this technology has yet to be adopted commercially by any brand as of right now, so stay tuned for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.
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