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Infrared Contact Lenses Enable Vision Beyond the Visible Spectrum

  • Scientists from a Chinese research institution have created contact lenses that allow users to perceive infrared light by transforming it into visible wavelengths, enabling vision in low-light conditions without the need for additional power.
  • This innovation follows earlier work injecting nanoparticles into mice eyes and aims to provide a less invasive alternative while enabling human infrared vision.
  • The contact lenses are embedded with specially designed nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light within the 800 to 1600 nm range and transform it into visible colors, enabling humans and mice to perceive infrared signals, including their direction and patterned flashes.
  • Neuroscientist Tian Xue explains that subjects are unable to perceive any signals without the contact lenses, but once they wear them, they are able to detect flickering infrared light clearly. At present, these lenses are only capable of sensing strong infrared light emitted by high-intensity LED sources.
  • While the lenses offer a power-free, lightweight alternative to night-vision devices, challenges remain in improving spatial resolution, sensitivity to ambient infrared, and addressing potential safety risks before wider applications.
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The technology of infrared contact lenses is based on nanoparticles capable of absorbing infrared light and converting it into visible light

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Neuroscientists create contact lenses with nanoparticles that allow them to see infrareds without external energy. Secure, flexible and effective even with closed eyes, open new hypotheses.

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Nature broke the news in United Kingdom on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
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