Revolutionary contact lenses can now enable people to see in low light conditions by converting infrared light into visible wavelengths, opening doors to new possibilities for human sight and security.
Scientists have created contact lenses that can allow people to see in the dark with the help of infrared light. These ‘super-vision‘ lenses use nanoparticles to convert portions of the infrared light spectrum into visible wavelengths, enabling wearers to perceive multiple infrared wavelengths even when their eyes are closed.
Contact lenses are thin, curved pieces of plastic or glass placed directly on the eye to correct vision.
They come in various types, including daily disposable, two-week disposables, and toric lenses for astigmatism.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, over 40 million Americans wear contact lenses.
The first contact lens was invented in 1887 by German glassblower F.A. Muller, but they have undergone significant advancements since then.
How It Works
The invention doesn’t require an external power source to turn infrared light into visible light. Experiments involving mice and humans have shown that the lenses allow the wearer to see flashing ‘Morse code-like’ infrared signals. The researchers fine-tuned the nanoparticles to make different infrared wavelengths appear as different colors, allowing participants to differentiate between them.
Potential Applications
The contact lenses could have several potential applications, including enhancing human sight for colorblind individuals or transmitting information wirelessly in security and rescue settings. In tests, human participants wearing the contacts could detect flashing ‘Morse code-like’ infrared signals, even when their eyes were closed. The researchers propose that this technology could make invisible visible for color blind people by converting red visible light into something like green visible light.
Current Limitations
While the contact lenses show promise, they are not perfect yet and have some limitations. They aren’t able to capture fine details, and it’s unclear whether wearers can see anything illuminated by infrared illumination or simply the light source itself. However, the team is working to improve their performance by collaborating with materials scientists and optical experts.
Future Developments
In the future, the researchers hope to create a contact lens with more precise spatial resolution and higher sensitivity. They believe that this could lead to significant advancements in human sight and potentially enable people to see in complete darkness. By combining the technology with glasses that sit further away from the retina, they aim to improve their performance and make these contact lenses a reality.
- futurism.com | Researchers Say New Contact Lenses Let You See in the Dark
