Liquid Optical Lens LiquidVision: A Camera Revolution Achieving Continuous Zoom by Changing Liquid Shape

Liquid Optical Lens LiquidVision: A Camera Revolution Achieving Continuous Zoom by Changing Liquid Shape

Israeli optics startup LensFlow today released the LiquidVision liquid optical lens. The product uses electrowetting technology to change the interface shape between two immiscible liquids, achieving continuous optical zoom at a thickness of just 2.1 millimeters.

Traditional smartphone cameras rely on combinations of 6-8 glass or plastic lenses to achieve zoom and focus, consuming significant space and cost. LiquidVision replaces them with a miniature chamber filled with a conductive liquid and an insulating liquid — when different voltages are applied, the meniscus between the two liquids changes shape, thereby altering the focal length.

LensFlow CEO Dr. Yuval Cohen demonstrated LiquidVision's zoom capability at the Tel Aviv launch event: continuous transition from 0.5x wide-angle to 5x telephoto is entirely controlled by voltage, with no mechanical moving parts. "No motors, no gears, no wear," Cohen said. "The lifespan of a liquid lens is theoretically infinite."

In terms of technical specifications, LiquidVision's effective aperture is 6 millimeters, with an optical resolution of 200 line pairs per millimeter, on par with the main cameras of current flagship smartphones. Zoom speed is 10 milliseconds, 50 times faster than traditional voice coil motors. Power consumption is extremely low — the zoom process consumes only 5 milliwatts.

Regarding optical performance, LiquidVision maintains excellent edge sharpness across the entire zoom range. Because the liquid interface is naturally smooth, the eccentricity and tilt problems common in traditional lens assembly are completely eliminated. Distortion is controlled within 0.3%, and chromatic aberration correction is achieved by adding specific nanoparticles to the liquids.

Kenichi Tanaka, Vice President of Sony Semiconductor Solutions, said: "Liquid lens technology could completely change the design paradigm for smartphone cameras. If LiquidVision's mass production yield and consistency meet expectations, Sony is interested in integrating this technology into next-generation sensor modules."

However, liquid lenses also face challenges. Temperature changes affect the refractive index and viscosity of the liquids, which LensFlow addresses through integrated temperature sensors and compensation algorithms. Additionally, at extreme angles, the liquid interface may exhibit irregular deformation affecting image quality.

LiquidVision plans to provide engineering samples to smartphone manufacturers in Q1 2031. LensFlow has completed a $120 million Series C funding round, with investors including Samsung Ventures and Qualcomm Ventures.