Ottawa researchers develop âbarrel-eliminatingâ optical element 14 Jun 2021 The âspaceplateâ is a new approach to manipulating light that could lead to paper-thin cameras, telescopes, and smart phones. Flatter phones? optics are miniaturized with new counterpart to lens. The concept of âspaceplateâ is a new approach to manipulating light that researchers from the University of Ottawa say could lead to paper-thin cameras, telescopes, significantly lighter high-performance cameras, and âcamera bump-freeâ smart phones. The spaceplate is described as a new optical element, which the scientists say could turn these ideas into reality by dramatically miniaturizing devices, potentially impacting many of the applications in our lives.