Scientists have created
contact lenses
that allow users to visualize their surroundings at night with the help of infrared technology
vision
, a creation that might result in advancements in
emergency and rescue operations.
Unlike traditional
night vision goggles
These lenses do not need a power supply and allow wearers to view both infrared and visible light.
light
at the same time, as indicated by a fresh research paper featured in the journal
Cell
.
Our study paves the way for new possibilities.
non-invasive
wearable technology to provide humans with enhanced vision,” said study senior author Tian Xue from the University of Science and Technology.
China
, said.
The lens employs minuscule nanoparticles which capture infrared light and transform it into wavelengths perceptible to mammalian vision.
These specific particles allow for the detection of “near-infrared light,” with wavelengths spanning from 800 to 1600 nanometers.
This is simply beyond measure.
mammals
perceive, usually within the range of wavelengths associated with visible light, generally between 400-700 nanometers.
Prior studies in mice demonstrated that these particles allowed for infrared vision when administered via injection into the retina; however, the Chinese researchers aimed to develop a more non-invasive alternative.
To create the new lenses, they merged the nanoparticles with flexible, non-toxic polymers that are commonly used in typical soft contact lenses.
contact lenses
.
The researchers subsequently examined the lenses in both human subjects and mice.
When offered the option between a dark chamber and one lit with infrared light, the mice wearing contact lenses opted for the darker space, while those not equipped with the eyewear displayed no particular inclination.
The students’ eyes in mice wearing contacts narrowed when exposed to infrared light, and brain scans revealed that this type of light activated their visual-processing centers.
In human subjects, those who wore the lenses were able to precisely identify flashing infrared signals formatted like Morse code.
“It’s completely straightforward: without the contact lenses, the subject is unable to see anything at all, but once they wear them, they can distinctly perceive the flickering of the infrared light,” explained Dr. Xue.
We discovered that closing one’s eyes enhances the ability to process this flickering data, as near-infrared light can penetrate through the eyelids more efficiently compared to visible light.
At present, the lenses can only pick up infrared radiation emitted by an LED light source.
The researchers aim to enhance the particles’ sensitivity to enable detection of lower levels of infrared light.
Dr. Xue stated, “In the future, by collaborating with materials scientists and optics specialists, our aim is to develop a contact lens featuring enhanced precision in spatial resolution and increased sensitivity.”
This tech offers numerous practical uses such as encoding and transmitting infrared data, improving visibility under adverse conditions like fog or dust, and being incorporated into intelligent gadgets for rescues and emergency situations.
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