Particle.news
Download on the App Store
7 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

Infrared Contact Lenses Offer Night Vision Without Power Source

Researchers in China are enhancing contact lenses that convert near-infrared light into visible light, enabling wearers to see in the dark, even with their eyes closed.

Participant putting contacts in CREDIT Yuqian Ma, Yunuo Chen, Hang Zhao
Representational image | Pixabay
Image
(Credit: Unsplash)

Overview

  • The lenses use nanoparticles embedded in soft, non-toxic polymers to convert near-infrared light into visible light detectable by the human eye.
  • Unlike traditional night vision goggles, the lenses require no power source and allow simultaneous detection of visible and infrared light.
  • Participants demonstrated improved infrared sensitivity with eyes closed, as near-infrared light penetrates eyelids more effectively than visible light.
  • Currently limited to detecting infrared radiation from LED sources, researchers aim to enhance sensitivity for ambient infrared light and improve image clarity.
  • Potential applications include emergency response, anti-counterfeiting, and healthcare, with production costs estimated at $200 per pair.