What is this?

[timelessbeing]

I found it amongst some bits'n pieces I had.

[McMonster]

Possibly some kind of light or color sensor.

[8086]

I would agree with above. Possibly light-to-frequency or something seeing as it has some kind of silicon as well as the sensor.

What I am more interested in though, is what camera you used to get up close so well to take the picture?

[ndictu]

What I am more interested in though, is what camera you used to get up close so well to take the picture?

From the Exif data:

Orientation of image:  1
File change date and time:  2011:11:09 17:44:44
Image input equipment manufacturer:  Canon
Image input equipment model:  Canon PowerShot SD880 IS
Exposure time:  0.125
F number:  2.8
ISO speed rating:  200
Shutter speed:  3
Aperture:  2.96875
Exposure bias:  0
Maximum lens aperture:  2.96875
Metering mode:  5
Flash:  16
Lens focal length:  5
Focal plane X resolution:  15136.9
Focal plane Y resolution:  15116
Focal plane resolution unit:  2
Sensing method:  2
Custom rendered:  0
Exposure mode:  0
White balance:  0
Digital zoom ratio:  1
Scene capture type:  0

[timelessbeing]

It's an ordinary point&shoot camera in macro mode. It took some time to set up the shot and adequate lighting without too much reflection.  I think the most important trick was to set the camera down and use a timed shutter to achieve a still shot. But I don't think it turned out THAT great.  It's rather grainy, the highlights are blown out and the depth of field is very shallow (leads are out focus).

[metalphreak]

I've seen some tiny solar cells that look similar to that. I doubt thats what it is though.

[sonicj]

i have this same camera and imo, it takes OK macro shots. like timelessbeing mentioned, it takes a bit of setup and a timed shutter release or remote to acquire good results.

that is a cool looking package, whatever it is!
-sj

[Psi]

Here's the best macro shot i can get...with my PHONE!     (Nokia N900)

The chip in the background is a sensor from an airport Xray machine, basically an array of photodiodes.
It's supposed to have a white phosphorescent block on top to convert xrays into light but i remove it.