Groundbreaking new contact lens lets people see even in dark
Scientists have created contact lenses that enable wearers to see in the dark using infrared vision, an invention that could lead to advances in emergency and rescue operations.
Unlike traditional night vision goggles, these lenses don't require a power source and enable wearers to see infrared and visible light simultaneously, according to a new study published in the journal Cell.
'Our research opens up the potential for non-invasive wearable devices to give people super-vision,' study senior author Tian Xue from the University of Science and Technology of China, said.
The lens uses tiny nanoparticles that absorb infrared light and convert it into wavelengths that are visible to mammalian eyes.
These particles specifically enable detection of 'near-infrared light', which has a wavelength range of 800-1600 nanometres.
This is just beyond what mammals perceive, which is a fraction of the wavelengths corresponding to visible light, typically in the 400-700 nm range.
Previous research in mice showed that these particles enabled infrared vision when injected into the retina but the Chinese scientists set out to design a less invasive option.
To develop the new lenses, they combined the nanoparticles with flexible, non-toxic polymers used in standard soft contact lenses.
Researchers then tested the lenses in both humans and mice.
They found that when given a choice of a dark box and an infrared-illuminated box, contact lens-wearing mice chose the dark box, whereas those without the eye gear showed no preference.
The pupils of contact-wearing mice also constricted in the presence of infrared light and scans of their brains showed infrared light causing their visual processing centres to light up.
In humans, participants wearing the lens could accurately detect flashing Morse code-like infrared signals.
'It's totally clear cut: without the contact lenses, the subject cannot see anything, but when they put them on, they can clearly see the flickering of the infrared light,' Dr Xue said.
'We also found that when the subject closes their eyes, they are even better able to receive this flickering information, because near-infrared light penetrates the eyelid more effectively than visible light.'
Currently, the lenses are only able to detect infrared radiation from an LED light source.
The researchers are working to increase the particles' sensitivity so they can detect lower levels of infrared light.
'In the future, by working together with materials scientists and optical experts, we hope to make a contact lens with more precise spatial resolution and higher sensitivity,' Dr Xue said.
'This technology has a wide range of practical applications, including infrared information encoding and transmission, enhanced vision in poor visibility conditions like foggy or dusty conditions, and integration into smart devices for rescue and emergencies.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
14 minutes ago
- CNBC
China's Leapmotor and Huawei-backed Aito report record high deliveries in May as competition heats up
Chinese electric carmakers Leapmotor and Aito reported record high deliveries in May, while other startups struggle to catch up as the price war intensifies. Stellantis-backed Leapmotor delivered a record 45,067 vehicles in May, reflecting year-on-year growth of 148%. On May 15, the automaker launched an updated version of its C10 model, a mid-sized SUV, that retailed from 122,800 yuan ($17,045). Leapmotor said over 13,000 units of the C10 were delivered in May. And on Sunday, Seres-backed Aito announced on social media that it had delivered 44,454 vehicles, setting a new record. The automaker, which uses Huawei tech, on May 30 officially launched the Maextro S800, an ultra-luxury sedan, with a starting price of 708,000 yuan. Industry giant BYD maintained its stronghold in the industry, with 376,930 cars sold in May. Total car sales in May rose by 14.1% increase year on year, based on CNBC's calculations of publicly available figures. The automaker on May 23 slashed prices on 22 models, bringing the price of its Seagull hatchback down 20% to 55,800 yuan, causing Chinese automakers' shares to slide. The EV juggernaut has recently been scrutinized over claims that it had pressured Jinan Qiansheng, one of BYD's dealers in the eastern province of Shandong, over cash flow. BYD refuted claims in a statement to Chinese media. The intensifying price war has also sparked fears of a next "Evergrande" — China's former real estate giant, which defaulted on its debt in 2021. Xpeng May deliveries dipped to 33,525 vehicles from 35,045 vehicles the previous month. But the company reported a year-on-year growth of 230% and maintained its streak of delivering over 30,000 vehicles for the seventh consecutive month. The automaker on May 28 officially launched the Mona M03 Max and Plus models, retailing from 129,800 yuan and 119,800 yuan, respectively. Xiaomi delivered more than 28,000 vehicles in May, mirroring its performance last month. The smartphone company on May 22 teased a new model of YU7 luxury SUV, which is set to be officially launched in July. Other startups, however, experienced modest growth in deliveries. Li Auto delivered 40,856 vehicles in May, representing a year-over-year increase of 16.7%, while Geely-owned Zeekr delivered 18,908 vehicles, indicating a 1.6% year-on-year growth, based on CNBC calculations of publicly available data. That's despite Zeekr's attempts to differentiate itself from the competition with its announcement of free driver-assistance technology in March. Nio's May deliveries fell from the previous month, with a total of 23,231 vehicles delivered, reflecting 13.1% year-on-year growth. Onvo, Nio's family-oriented smart electric vehicle brand, made up 6,281 of total deliveries. That makes May Onvo's best-performing month so far this year. Chinese automakers are looking to diversify as competition intensifies. But tariffs imposed by the European Union and the U.S. on Chinese electric vehicles may impede efforts to expand into the West. Instead, companies may be looking to emerging markets such as those in Africa, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported last week. BYD on April 24 announced its official entry into Benin, in collaboration with CFAO Mobility.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
2-Year-Old Prodigy Joins 'High IQ' Club Mensa as Youngest Member Ever
At an age most children struggle to make it through the alphabet, two-year-old British toddler Joseph Harris-Birtill can already read full books. He's now moving on to Morse code and the Greek alphabet, as well as showing an interest in the periodic table of elements. Recognizing their son's exceptional abilities, parents Rose and David reached out to the British branch of Mensa for advice on nurturing Joseph's potential. Not only is Mensa now giving the family support, they've welcomed the young lad into their community, officially making him the youngest-ever member of the world's oldest and largest high-IQ organization at 2 years and 182 days. In 2023, Isla McNabb from Kentucky was welcomed into Mensa at 2 years and 195 days, after her intelligence was estimated to be in the 99th percentile. To qualify, applicants either need to pass an IQ test or provide sufficient evidence to convince Mensa's board they belong in the top 2 percent of the population's smartest individuals. Joseph demonstrated his qualifications from a very early age. "It soon became clear that he was an exceptional little being – he first rolled over at five weeks, said his first word at seven months, and read his first book out loud from cover to cover at one-and-three-quarter years," Rose told Vicki Newman at Guinness World Records. "By two-and-a-quarter years old he was reading out loud fluently for 10 minutes at a time, could count to 10 in five languages and could count forwards and backwards to well over 100." By contrast, most newborns lack the motor functions to build head and neck control until around four months of age. Linguistic development means children tend to utter their first recognizable word at around 12 months. Reading in a single language of any kind isn't typically expected until a child is about five or six years old. While Joseph's achievements are extraordinary, this doesn't mean life is expected to be smooth sailing. Education systems are often better resourced to support students who aren't meeting prescribed standards than those who are well above average. Anticipating the challenges involved with tailoring their son's educational and developmental needs, Rose and David contacted UK Mensa for guidance. "I searched online for any further support available, and saw that Mensa offers resources and membership for highly able children," says Rose. "We hope that this accomplishment can give him a sense of pride when he is older – it's a very unusual accolade and the credit is all his!" True child prodigies are rare, a one-in-5-to-10-million event by some estimates, with the skills contributing to general intelligence emerging from a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Whatever head start Joseph has in his academic interests, it's evident he has love and support to continue exploring the corners of his remarkable brain throughout childhood. Traces of Mysterious Ancient Human Population Discovered in Colombia Here's How to Detect a Fake Smile, According to Science What Makes Someone a Narcissist? Scientists Just Found a Big Clue
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
‘Keep on Buying,' Says Morgan Stanley About Tesla Stock
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock is back in focus as Elon Musk shifts gears, stepping away from political headlines and returning his attention to the company that made him a household name. Confident Investing Starts Here: The move was no doubt greeted enthusiastically by Tesla investors, who have grown frustrated with Musk's high-profile distractions since becoming Trump's 'first buddy.' But beyond the optics, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas, a longtime Tesla bull, believes there's more at stake, pointing to broader strategic implications tied to Musk's renewed commitment. 'In our view,' Jonas noted, 'Tesla's expertise in manufacturing, data collection, robotics/ physical AI, energy, supply chain and infrastructure are more critical than ever before to put the US on an even footing with China in embodied AI.' Jonas points to China's rapid progress in humanoid robotics – what he calls the 'Humanoid Olympics.' After showcasing robots running a half marathon and competing in combat sports, China is now moving toward full-on humanoid games. 'China's gamification of robotic innovation is accelerating its path to AI supremacy,' says Jonas, who wonders if the US should fight back with a 'Humanoid Ninja Warrior.' The specter of Chinese EV maker BYD looms large too. The company announced significant price reductions across its entire lineup recently – ranging from 10% to nearly 30%. Notably, the price of its budget-friendly Seagull model was slashed to just RMB 55,800 (under $8,000). 'If you want evidence of the 'race to the bottom' in global EV prices, look no further,' says Jonas. The analyst also wonders if Musk might be having a change of heart regarding one possible business venture. For years, he has dismissed the idea of Tesla building eVTOLs or drones, pointing to concerns like noise, privacy issues, public nuisance, and inadequate battery energy density. However, during a recent all-hands meeting, when asked about the possibility of making a plane, Musk paused before replying that the company is currently 'stretched pretty thin.' 'In our opinion,' says Jonas, 'that's a decidedly different type of answer. Is Tesla an aviation/defense-tech company in auto/consumer clothing?' As for the upcoming Cybercab launch, slated for June 12, as with most highly anticipated Tesla events, Jonas thinks it's best to keep a lid on expectations. That said, he'll be watching closely for ongoing updates in the following days and weeks – particularly regarding network performance and growth metrics like vehicle count, mileage, and trip volume. All in all, Jonas remains on TSLA's side, assigning an Overweight (i.e., Buy) rating with a $410 price target, implying potential upside of 18% from current levels. (To watch Jonas's track record, click here) That's a bull's take, but not one the majority of Wall Street analysts share; TSLA stock only claims a Hold consensus rating, based on a mix of 16 Buys, 10 Holds and 11 Sells. Going by the $282.70 average price target, a year from now, shares will be changing hands for an 18% discount. (See TSLA stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
