Quebec researchers have created a new lens they say could revolutionize photography by allowing the smallest cameras to take crystal-clear zoom photos. The new lens, five times thinner than a sheet of paper, can zoom and focus with no moving parts, potentially eliminating the distortion caused by digital zoom and the bulky glass of conventional optical lens.

Tigran Galstian, an engineer and physicist at Laval University who has patented the new lens, says his invention could drastically improve the blurry photos taken by small cameras, such as cellphone cameras.

"We have found an elegant and simple solution," said Galstian, who is now looking for an industrial partner to help build a prototype and overcome remaining technical hurdles.

"Right now we're guessing what industry needs and we'd love to work with them on what they really want."

Galstian and associate Vladimir Presnyakov published their research in the current edition of the Journal of Applied Physics.

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