Hall 7 A VISION OF OPTICS IN THE FUTURE

 

Introduction to the Hall

Welcome to the hall of A VISION OF OPTICS IN THE FUTURE. This hall features four thematic sections—The Light of Energy, The Light of Information, The Light of Life, and The Imagination of Light—as well as a large-scale media show designed to deliver a visually stunning experience. The exhibits highlight cutting-edge advances in modern optics and present the inspiring vision of how optical technologies will shape a brighter future for humanity. The exhibition area covers 442 square meters, with green as its dominant color, symbolizing the vitality and boundless potential of future optical development.

Solar Energy — Harvesting

This exhibit is Solar Energy Harvesting. Light energy is undoubtedly one of the most ideal clean energy sources of the future. Effectively collecting and converting solar energy will usher in a new era of green and efficient energy. Solar energy harvesting refers to the use of specific devices or systems to capture sunlight and convert it into electrical, chemical, or thermal energy. The interactive media here demonstrates different methods of converting light into electricity, along with various types of solar cells.

Solar Energy — Applications

This exhibit is Solar Energy Applications. With continual advancements in harvesting technology, people aim to maximize the use of this inexhaustible and renewable clean energy—the sun—to bring greater convenience to our lives. In the future, smart highways, power-generating clothing, and futuristic solar-powered vehicles may all be powered by solar cells made of different materials. Through the touchscreen displays and information panels, you can explore more about the diverse applications of solar energy.

Laser Energy — Creation

Here we present Laser Energy Creation. Scientists are actively exploring innovative methods to develop truly clean, sustainable, and highly efficient laser-based energy. This section mainly introduces two approaches: laser-driven nuclear fusion and fiber-laser arrays. You can learn more about these emerging technologies through the information panels.

Laser Energy — Applications

Laser Energy Applications are primarily envisioned in the field of defense and aerospace. In the future, laser propulsion may enable the launch of small satellites into low Earth orbit, the removal of orbital debris, as well as the control of satellite attitude and trajectory. Other potential applications include developing laser-powered antimatter interstellar spacecraft, deploying shipborne, vehicle-mounted, or airborne laser cannons, or even harnessing laser technology for remote manipulation of objects and lightning control.

Supercomputing & Optical Information

This exhibit is Supercomputing & Optical Information, which introduces quantum transmission theory, photonic computers, optical lithographic storage, titanium-oxide optical discs, silicon-photonic data links, and even the concept of an invisibility cloak. In the near future, humanity will enter the so-called “Photon Era”, where both the breadth and depth of information mastery will be dramatically expanded. The transmission, reorganization, and analysis of information will become deeply interwoven with every aspect of human life and work, reshaping the way societies function.

Extraordinary Imaging

The Extraordinary Imaging exhibit showcases a series of futuristic optical instruments based on cutting-edge technologies. For a long time, the clarity of optical imaging was limited by the wave nature of light, a barrier once thought insurmountable. Today, through precision lens design and advanced algorithms, scientists have achieved images with unprecedented resolution, allowing us to observe details that were once beyond recognition—applications that now span from astronomical observation to life sciences. Highlights include: Auto-Focus Glasses, designed for people with fluctuating vision, these glasses integrate liquid-crystal or flexible optical materials that automatically adjust their focal length based on the distance of the wearer’s gaze, providing clear imaging without the need for frequent lens changes; Perfect Lens (Superlens), a revolutionary optical tool made from metamaterials, capable of achieving resolutions far beyond traditional lenses, even allowing us to “see through” surface structures once thought invisible; Optical Dynamic Facial Expression Capturer, combining high-speed imaging with optical recognition algorithms, this device can track subtle facial expressions and muscle movements in real time, with significant potential in virtual reality, animation production, and psychological research. Though many of these instruments are still in the conceptual stage, they vividly demonstrate the boundless possibilities at the intersection of optical technology and artificial intelligence.

Secrets of Detection

This exhibit is Secrets of Detection, highlighting cutting-edge technologies that may see widespread use in the future of detection and diagnostics. One example is a ring-shaped laser sensor smaller than a needle tip. By monitoring how light propagates back and forth within its microscopic circular pathway, the sensor can detect the slightest changes in temperature, pressure, or vibration with remarkable sensitivity. Such devices hold great promise for applications in medical monitoring and environmental sensing. Another featured technology combines optics with forensic science: by shining a laser onto a strand of human hair, trace elements can be extracted and analyzed. This can reveal details about a person’s diet, environmental exposures, possible poisoning, or substances they may have come into contact with—offering powerful new tools for criminal investigation.

Medical Assistant

This exhibit is called Medical Assistant, presenting a range of optical technologies poised to transform the future of healthcare. Optical Tweezers: Using highly focused beams of light, they can “grasp” and manipulate tiny biological objects such as cells with extraordinary precision; Quantum Dot Technology: Enables the targeted labeling and tracking of disease-related cells, supporting early and highly accurate diagnosis; Nanoscale and Ultra-Thin Microscopes: Allow us to visualize structures inside the body in far greater detail than traditional microscopes; Projection X-Ray Devices and “See-Through” Scanners: Capable of producing clear medical images without direct contact with the body, making future medical checkups as simple and comfortable as “looking into a mirror.” Together, these innovations demonstrate how optics can revolutionize medicine—making diagnostics more accurate, less invasive, and increasingly patient-friendly.

The Transformation of Life

This exhibit is The Transformation of Life. In ancient times, people once used the faint glow of fireflies to illuminate their books. In the future, however, we may be able to light up entire rooms with “glowing bacteria.” These specially cultivated microorganisms can continuously emit a gentle green light, like natural “tiny bulbs.” Such biological lighting is not only environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, but also adds a warm and cozy atmosphere to daily life. Another highlight is the miniature telescope implant—a compact optical device so small that it can be implanted directly into the human eye to help patients suffering from certain eye diseases regain clear vision. The principle behind it is the use of an internal micro-optical system to refocus incoming light, much like a “scaled-down telescope.” It magnifies vision by up to three times, turning a blurred world back into one of sharp detail.

Major Optical Scientific Facilities

At the Major Optical Scientific Facilities exhibit, you will see models and visualizations of large-scale optical research infrastructures that are currently being studied or planned by countries around the world, along with imaginative frontier concepts of future science. Some of these massive facilities are already operational, while others remain in the blueprint stage. Together, they represent humanity’s quest to explore light at unprecedented depth and precision. These large-scale facilities are vast in size and complex in structure, requiring global collaboration and enormous investment. Yet they enable scientists to capture phenomena invisible to the human eye, revealing clues about the origin of the universe, the fundamental nature of matter, and potentially even reshaping our understanding of time and space. On the interactive touchscreen, you may select any facility that interests you. The large display on the wall will then show its 3D structure, intended functions, and related scientific goals.

This concludes the exhibits of this hall. Please gather at the central area to enjoy the grand media show “The Photon Era.” With its breathtaking visuals, it vividly interprets the future world of light—an unforgettable visual feast awaiting your experience.

With this, the journey through all seven halls has come to an end. We wish you a pleasant and inspiring visit to the Changchun China Optical Science and Technology Museum!