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People were thrilled when cell phone companies rolled out built-in cameras. But now, they are about to be stunned. Shahyaan Desai, a graduate of Cornell University, is in the process of developing a high-definition micro video projector that utilizes breakthrough micro-mirror technology called Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), to bring a new generation of displays to market. Imagine, instead of your massive rear projection system you have projector that is no larger than a matchbox! With this type of disruptive technology, it comes as no surprise that they have been able to lock down nearly $1 million in a seed round from 6 venture capital firms as well as taking the grand prize of $100,000 last Tuesday in New York’s Creative Core Emerging Business Competition.

Although it has potential to produce an incredible device, Mezmeriz Inc. faced a big challenge of creating a market for the new technology. Offices already have large projection systems, so they looked into more ubiquitous products such as digital assistants, cell phones, and MP3 players. This still begs the question whether or not people actually need a portable HD projector. Everything is shrinking, but does everything need to be so incredibly tiny? You would think that features would be compromised; however, a recent article explains that the opposite is true:

Though small, the device can project a wide image onto a wall or fold-out screen, making a much larger image than is possible with the tiny LCD screens that come with, say, the popular Apple iPod music and video players. From just one inch away, it can project an image nine inches wide, Desai said.

He said it also has the advantage of being more energy efficient than LCD, or liquid crystal display, screens, which are big battery drainers. So devices with Mezmeriz’s video projector could run longer between battery recharges, he said.

How is this possible? Their website explains:

Robust carbon fibers lies at the heart of Mezmeriz’s incredible new mirror design. 150,000 hours of research at Cornell as resulted in a revolution in Microelectromechanical Systems(MEMS) technology. Historically, MEMS devices have been silicon based. By precisely placing carbon fiber into a silicon lattice, Mezmeriz can produce a vibrating resonance engine that has all the benefits of a silicon manufacturing, but with the strength advantages of carbon fiber.

The technology works much like a traditional cathode ray tube video monitor, but it uses a laser instead of an electron beam to project images, and there’s no need for the big, heavy vacuum tube that is a disadvantage for CRT technology.

Although such a device might not have many obvious uses, I doubt that they will have trouble finding valuable ways for it to be applied. It will be interesting to see how much this will cost consumers if it comes to market.