New super vision contact lenses allow human eyes to see near-infrared light

This new type of contact lens can be applied in the fields of medical imaging, information security, rescue operations and color blindness treatment. (Source: The Guardian)

Scientists have combined neuroscience with rare earth elements to create transparent, wearable glasses that can convert invisible infrared light into visible images, according to research published in the journal Cell on May 22.

The human eye can only see light with wavelengths of 400-700 nanometers, thus missing out on most of the information from nature. With wavelengths of 700-2,500 nanometers, near-infrared light has the remarkable ability to penetrate biological tissue with minimal radiation damage.

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So a team of researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, Fudan University, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School created rare earth elements that can convert three different infrared wavelengths into visible red, green, and blue light.

Previously, scientists on the team developed nanomaterials that, when injected into animal retinas, could allow mammals to see near-infrared light naturally.

Since this was not feasible with the human retina, the team set out to find a wearable and non-invasive alternative using soft contact lenses.

The team modified the surface of rare earth nanoparticles so that they could be dispersed in a polymer solution and eventually created a highly transparent contact lens. Tests showed that volunteers wearing the lenses could identify infrared images and even distinguish between three different colors of infrared light, essentially expanding the spectrum of human electromagnetic radiation beyond its natural limits.

This non-invasive technology opens up potential applications in medical imaging, information security, rescue operations and color blindness treatment.

Unlike night vision goggles, this new type of contact lens is capable of enhancing vision in poor visibility conditions such as fog or dust, requires no power source, and feels more natural.

While still in the proof-of-concept stage, the researchers believe the technology could aid people with low vision and revolutionize the way humans interact with the invisible light spectrum.

The work is expected to pave the way for a range of contact lenses, glasses and other wearable devices that could give people "super vision", according to Professor Tian Xue, a neuroscientist at the University of Science and Technology of China.

“If materials scientists can develop more efficient upconversion nanoparticles, we could see the infrared light around us by wearing contact lenses,” the professor said.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/kinh-ap-trong-sieu-thi-luc-moi-cho-phep-mat-nguoi-nhin-thay-anh-sang-can-hong-ngoai-315312.html