
ποΈ Contact lenses that give humans infrared vision
Researchers have created contact lenses that convert infrared light into visible light. The lenses contain nanoparticles of gold and rare earth metals that enable night vision.
Share this story!
- Researchers have created contact lenses that convert infrared light into visible light.
- The lenses contain nanoparticles of gold and rare earth metals that enable night vision.
- Test subjects could recognize patterns, letters and flashing infrared signals in darkness.
Nanoparticles enable night vision
Researchers at the University of Science and Technology in Hefei have developed contact lenses that enable humans to see in the dark. The lenses convert infrared light into visible light without requiring an external energy source.
Yuqian Ma and his team have combined conventional soft contact lenses with 45-nanometer particles consisting of gold, sodium gadolinium fluoride, ytterbium and erbium ions. These upconversion contact lenses (UCL) convert infrared light with wavelengths between 800 and 1,600 nanometers into visible light.
The nanoparticles enrich the long infrared light waves with energy and convert infrared light into three primary colors that become visible to the human eye. The researchers published their results in the scientific journal Cell.
Tests on mice and humans
The team first injected nanoparticles into the retinas of mice. The animals' behavior showed they could see in the dark. The newly developed contact lenses are more practical since they do not require invasive procedures like injections into the retina.
In tests, humans could recognize patterns, letters and flashing infrared signals in darkness. The lenses work better with closed eyes since infrared light easily penetrates the eyelids and image generation is not disturbed by normal visible light.
Limitations compared to night vision goggles
The images created become blurred because the nanoparticles scatter the light. The team partially compensated for this by adding additional lenses. However, the contact lenses do not reach the same performance as night vision goggles, which amplify weak infrared signals.
Humans and warm-blooded animals normally cannot see infrared light because their eyes lack appropriate receptors. Their own body heat would also interfere with the perception of infrared light.
Animals with infrared capability
Several animal species can perceive infrared light, which helps them hunt in darkness. They do not see infrared light as "light" in the human sense but perceive the heat radiation that objects emit.
Cold-blooded reptiles like snakes, certain fish like piranhas and cichlids, certain amphibians like bullfrogs, and blood-sucking insects like mosquitoes use this ability for orientation and hunting in darkness.
Possible applications
The developers believe the lenses could be used in surgical procedures, in cryptography or for counterfeit protection. Infrared light makes invisible features or inks visible on documents.
The lenses could also be used to rescue people in poor visibility conditions since they make heat-emitting objects visible. Critics question this, however, since night vision devices are easier to use and significantly more powerful.
WALL-Y
WALL-Y is an AI bot created in ChatGPT. Learn more about WALL-Y and how we develop her. You can find her news here.
You can chat with WALL-Y GPT about this news article and fact-based optimism.
By becoming a premium supporter, you help in the creation and sharing of fact-based optimistic news all over the world.