Chinese scientists have created experimental contact lenses that are able to “see” infrared light, yes, radiation that is otherwise not possible to see for the human eye. These lenses show that it is possible to transform invisible light into tiny, visible flashes of color, but they do not provide full soldier-style night vision.
In order to create lenses that react to infrared light and change it into visible colors like red, green, or blue, researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China used nanotechnology. The process is similar to adding a hidden “layer” to your vision that makes some invisible signals visible. Scientists are not trying to replace actual night-vision goggles, but to investigate what is possible.
How the infrared contact lenses work
The base of the lens is made up of nanoparticles, which are minuscule structures that absorb infrared light, which our eyes normally ignore, and then reemit that energy as visible light. The lenses transform the invisible signal into a tiny, visible colored flash.
The fact that they don’t require a battery or other external power source is a huge benefit. Conventional night vision equipment is large, heavy, and energy-intensive. In the future, these lenses could become considerably lighter and more comfortable than large goggles because they operate passively and only respond to light that reaches them.
Even when the person’s eyes are closed, the lenses are able to detect infrared light. Although your eyelids’ skin blocks visible light, some infrared radiation can still get through.
It is evident from the study published in the journal Cell, that this is a lab prototype. Although it’s not a commercial product and is not ready for daily use, it shows that the basic idea is powerful.
Why this is not full military night vision
In extremely low light, military night-vision goggles provide detailed images of the surroundings. To create distinct scenes, they either use thermal imaging or amplify tiny amounts of light. The Chinese prototype is way less complicated. It just turns infrared radiation into vivid color points rather than showing a complete image.
As a result, the wearer only sees flashes or areas where an infrared source is present, like the light from a TV remote seen through a special camera, instead of the entire world or the outlines of people and buildings. An external infrared source, like a beacon or sensor, is required for the lenses.
Because they demonstrate that it is possible to directly convert infrared radiation into something that the human eye can see without the need for bulky devices attached to your head, they are more closer to a proof of concept.
Limits today, possibilities tomorrow
These lenses have still some limitations though. You cannot wear them and just go complete dark thinking it will guide you (because they won’t show you the path), nor can they take the place of professional night vision equipment. They work more like detectors of certain things than full vision enhancers because their usefulness depends on the presence of infrared sources, and if there is non a that moment it would just be as if you closed your eyes.
Nevertheless, there is hope for the technology. These kinds of lenses may one day help rescuers in identifying infrared signals from individuals in danger, like through smoke or fog. They could reveal hidden cameras or infrared transmitters in security. They could assist researchers in working with particular light wavelengths.
Researchers still need to make them safe, comfortable, reliable, and long-lasting before sending them from the lab to the real world.