Lobster Eyes Show Design and Inspire X-ray Technology
by Owen Borville
July 12, 2020
Biology
The eyes of the lobster were perfectly designed for their environment and are being used for x-ray research. At the bottom of the sea, the environment is almost completely dark and lobsters must be able to see through this darkness.
The vision of lobsters is based on the reflection of light, not refraction or bending of light as in human eyes. Lobster eyes are called compound eyes and are composed of thousands of square mirror-like facets. These facets allow the reflection of light from any direction or angle onto the same focal point on the retina, allowing lobsters to see their prey.
These well-arranged squares are actually the ends of tiny square tubes that give the lobster a type of x-ray vision. The sides of each one of these square tubes are like mirrors that reflect the incoming light. They are composed entirely of straight walls and right angles, as opposed to the human eye’s curved rods and cones. This design gives the lobster a 180 degree view.
Their eyes intensify the images in dark environments and lobster eyes are well designed to detect motion in their dim-light environment. Lobster eyes detect light from many angles and produce a large field of view, specifically 180 degrees for each eye. In bright light, lobsters are probably blind.
Lobster eyes can see x-rays, unlike humans, and telescopes are being designed with the capability to see x-rays. These x-rays are almost impossible to see with refracted light, but can be seen seen with reflected light, as the lobster eyes can see. Lobster vision also allows seeing from many angles across the sky.
Lobsters also feature long antennae on their heads that are used as a sensory organ and aid in identifying objects in front of them.
Lobster eye design is also being used in research for the technology of x-ray imaging to scan objects inside walls, cargo containers, and see through containers of a variety of materials, including plastic, wood, concrete, and steel.
by Owen Borville
July 12, 2020
Biology
The eyes of the lobster were perfectly designed for their environment and are being used for x-ray research. At the bottom of the sea, the environment is almost completely dark and lobsters must be able to see through this darkness.
The vision of lobsters is based on the reflection of light, not refraction or bending of light as in human eyes. Lobster eyes are called compound eyes and are composed of thousands of square mirror-like facets. These facets allow the reflection of light from any direction or angle onto the same focal point on the retina, allowing lobsters to see their prey.
These well-arranged squares are actually the ends of tiny square tubes that give the lobster a type of x-ray vision. The sides of each one of these square tubes are like mirrors that reflect the incoming light. They are composed entirely of straight walls and right angles, as opposed to the human eye’s curved rods and cones. This design gives the lobster a 180 degree view.
Their eyes intensify the images in dark environments and lobster eyes are well designed to detect motion in their dim-light environment. Lobster eyes detect light from many angles and produce a large field of view, specifically 180 degrees for each eye. In bright light, lobsters are probably blind.
Lobster eyes can see x-rays, unlike humans, and telescopes are being designed with the capability to see x-rays. These x-rays are almost impossible to see with refracted light, but can be seen seen with reflected light, as the lobster eyes can see. Lobster vision also allows seeing from many angles across the sky.
Lobsters also feature long antennae on their heads that are used as a sensory organ and aid in identifying objects in front of them.
Lobster eye design is also being used in research for the technology of x-ray imaging to scan objects inside walls, cargo containers, and see through containers of a variety of materials, including plastic, wood, concrete, and steel.
