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Non-elastic membrane dual-actuation liquid lens for continuous focus and zoom
Jing Zhang1, Wen-Xia Zhang1, Hao Shen2,3
1Institute of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu province Key Laboratory of Embodied Intelligence Robotics Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, PR China.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
|July 30, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a compact liquid lens with dual actuation for fast continuous focusing and zoom. This innovation overcomes limitations in miniaturized optical imaging systems, enabling advanced mobile and micro-visualization applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Micro-optics
Background:
- Miniaturization of optical imaging systems is vital for technological progress.
- Existing liquid lenses struggle with integrating continuous focusing, zoom, and reliable sealing.
- Limitations hinder applications in micro-visualization and mobile imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a compact, dual-actuation multifunctional liquid lens.
- To integrate focusing and zoom capabilities into a single, sealed device.
- To overcome limitations of traditional non-membrane liquid lenses.
Main Methods:
- A novel non-membrane, sealed dual-cavity design was implemented.
- Two actuation modes, electrowetting-on-dielectric and electromagnetic induction, were employed.
- Electrical signals were used to control the liquid-liquid interface for curvature and axial position adjustment.
Main Results:
- The liquid lens achieved continuous focusing with a 100ms response time.
- Smooth zoom capability from 1× to 1.5× was demonstrated.
- High resolution and stable imaging quality were maintained throughout operation.
Conclusions:
- The proposed liquid lens offers a simple architecture with integrated focusing and zoom functions.
- It overcomes functional and packaging limitations of previous designs.
- The lens shows significant potential for advanced applications in microscopy, optical inspection, and intelligent vision.
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