image: Human hand as an infrared light source, with each finger emitting infrared light independently. Image courtesy of Shun An. view more
Credit: Image credit: Shun An.
A study demonstrates how the human hand can act as a powerless infrared radiation source in encryption/decryption and signal generation applications. Infrared emitters are used to interface with digital systems, but organisms that produce heat, including humans, also emit infrared radiation. Tao Deng, Wen Shang, and colleagues explored the potential of using the human hand as a powerless infrared light source in multiple applications. The authors created a pattern using polydimethylsiloxane with low infrared reflectivity on a substrate of aluminum with high infrared reflectivity. The human hand produced enough infrared radiation to make the pattern reflective, creating an infrared-driven encryption/decryption system. The authors also developed a system in which infrared light from different fingers could interact with different metal gratings to produce a multiplexed signal. The authors suggest that such a signal could be used for the recognition of sign language. According to the authors, integrating the hand as an infrared emitter not only reduces the need for powered infrared sources but also increases the intelligence and controllability of functional systems by directly involving human components in control and operation.
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Article #20-21077:
"Human hand as a powerless and multiplexed infrared light source for information decryption and complex signal generation," by Shun An et al.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tao Deng,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, CHINA;
email: <dengtao@sjtu.edu.cn>