Researchers at Columbia University have invented a prototype video camera that is the first to be fully self-powered. They created a pixel that can not only measure incident light but also convert the incident light into electric power.
When exposed to light, the camera’s sensor toggles between capturing an image and charging the power supply. It works well enough to capture one image per second, but it has a tiny resolution of just 30 pixels by 40 pixels (that’s .0012 megapixels, for those of you keeping count). Nayar and his team built the camera with off-the-shelf components, and used a 3D printer to create the body.
