Infrared detection is for imaging based on the temperature differences of objects. Traditionally, sensitive infrared detectors that have been used require cryogenic cooling to liquid nitrogen temperatures or below. This leads to high system cost, weight, and power consumption. Uncooled infrared detectors provide good performance at room temperature without the need for cryogenic cooling. This has lead to low-cost infrared cameras that are compact, consume less power, and are relatively inexpensive. This has enabled consumer applications for infrared cameras as night vision for cars. I will discuss the basic principles of infrared detection and the operation of infrared night vision cameras.

Electronics has traditionally been made on rigid silicon wafers. More recently, electronics has developed on flexible, "plastic" sheets allowing the circuit to bend and conform to nonplanar surfaces. Simultaneously, a revolution has been occurring in robotics. Robots that look like humans and seem to move like humans have been developed. However, these robots are still relatively simple in that they cannot perceive the environment in which they operate the way humans can. I will discuss our research to develop multifunctional sensors that are sensitive to touch and temperature on plastic sheets to form the basis of a sensitive skin for robotic applications.