Carnegie Mellon pioneers device that visualizes sound waves

The device, created by a team of scientists from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, is revolutionary. It is not just an ordinary camera—it can capture sounds and convert them into images through specialized laser technology. The absence of a conventional microphone makes this camera an extraordinary tool.

Synesthesia is a phenomenon in which the senses combine unusually—some people may see sounds or hear colors. Scientists used this concept to create a machine that mimics the phenomenon. Although it is not about a biological experience, the machine has gained the ability to “see” sounds.

The technology is based on laser measurements, allowing the camera to capture vibrations with exceptional precision. It is possible to reproduce the sound of an entire orchestra, not just individual instruments. All of this is achieved without traditional methods of recording sounds, like microphones; in transforming sound into an image, the camera uses only light and precise measurements.

Mark Sheinin and his research team from the Image Lab of the Robotics Institute have made a significant leap in imaging technology. Building on previous projects, such as optical visual microphones developed by MIT, they have created a new standard in sound recording. The new system is not only more efficient but also cheaper to produce.

The device captures changes in noise structure through global and rotational snapshots. Algorithms process these changes into visualizations of vibrations, such as those from a guitar's soundboard, capturing even the most subtle deviations.

This discovery has the potential to significantly impact the music, scientific, and technological industries. This technology is not just a curiosity; it provides new tools for analyzing and imaging sounds unprecedentedly. The website dedicated to the invention provides more details about the project. Scientists believe this is just the beginning of a long journey in developing this new technology.