One step closer to 3D

3DIcon Corporation's research team at the University of Oklahoma (OU) has reached two critical milestones in the development of its CSpace three-dimensional display technology.

The ultimate aim of the company is to develop a display that will comprise a clear, non-moving, volumetric projection medium into which light-emitting nano-materials will be been suspended. A three-dimensional image will be created by projecting precisely coordinated laser beams into the medium containing the nano-materials, exciting them to display the three primary colours of red, green, and blue and to create a full-colour volumetric image.

So far, the company's materials development team led by Dr Gerard Newman has synthesised unique nano-sized crystals that exhibit green fluorescence. Furthermore, they have successfully dispersed these nano-crystals within a clear host material. This dual achievement has resulted in the creation of a transparent three-dimensional projection medium capable of fluorescence.

'The creation of nano-crystals of the required size and dispersible characteristics is a very difficult feat, and the subsequent physical dispersion of the nano-material in the host material is even more challenging,' said Dr. Newman.

'This early breakthrough is very significant for the overall development of the CSpace volumetric imaging system', added Dr James Sluss, director of the school of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Oklahoma.

Continuing research and development efforts will focus on optimising the concentration and uniformity of the nano-materials in the matrix to increase the brightness of visible light emission.

Building upon the success of these results, team will also now develop and incorporate blue and red light-emitting nano-materials into the matrix to provide a medium that, when appropriately mixed and activated, emits a full-colour three-dimensional image.

3DIcon believes that its CSpace technology will ultimately be suited for applications in imaging for medical and security purposes, entertainment and gaming, and geo-spatial applications for the military, air traffic control, weather mapping, and oil and gas exploration.