Nanotech night vision

The University of Southern California and University of Texas announced a new process which uses nanostructures called quantum dots to improve infrared sensors. Each quantum dot is about 20 nanometers (2 millionths of a centimeter) wide, and 4 nanometers tall, with a core of indium arsenide surrounded by gallium arsenide and an indium-gallium arsenide alloy (uh, yeah).  The sensors use pyramidal structures of these dots, are more effective at receiving IR wavelengths (and are also far cheaper to produce than current IR sensors).  Most importantly, however, the process will bring us one step closer to affordably catching our neighbors roaming around their apartments in the middle of the night wearing Spongebob underwear, drinking milk straight from the carton.

[Via

CNet]