Latest news with #infrared
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
Scientists create contact lenses that can help us see in the dark
A team of scientists from China have created contact lenses that can help people to see in the new lenses allow people to see infrared light, which is normally invisible to the human technology has been around for a while, in the form of things like night-vision goggles, however, these are quite heavy and need power to Tian Xue, a scientist at the University of Science and Technology of China, said their work could help to inspire a range of contact lenses, glasses and other wearable devices that give people "super-vision", as well as helping people with optical conditions like colour blindness. Why can we see some things and not others? There are seven types of electromagnetic (EM) waves, made of light, sound and radiation, which are part of something called the Electromagnetic can only see 'visible light', but there are lots of other types like radio waves, ultraviolet light and infrared light, which we cannot scientists have developed technology like sonar which helps us to see sound, and night-vision cameras which help us to see infrared light using temperature. How do the infrared contact lenses work? The team of scientists created contact lenses that have engineered nanoparticles in are tiny microscopic structures that are made up of a few engineered nanoparticles absorb and change near infrared light into blue, green and red light, which is visible to the human experiments to test out the lenses, people said they could see signals flashed from an infrared light, and could tell what direction the light came well as this, people said their infrared vision improved when they closed their could be because our eyelids help to block visible light more than infrared, so there was less visible light to the scientists have said that the lenses are not quite sensitive enough to see low levels of infrared light, so they do not give complete thermal vision yet, but the team hope that future work can help to improve the technology.
Sustainability Times
27-05-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
See in Total Darkness: Infrared Contact Lenses Let Humans Detect Night Vision Even With Eyes Fully Shut
IN A NUTSHELL 👁️ Researchers have developed innovative contact lenses that allow humans to perceive infrared light , enhancing vision capabilities. , enhancing vision capabilities. 🐭 Initial tests on mice and humans showed successful infrared detection , with improved signal interpretation when eyes are closed. , with improved signal interpretation when eyes are closed. 🔬 The lenses use nanoparticle technology to convert near-infrared wavelengths into visible light, opening up new visual possibilities. to convert near-infrared wavelengths into visible light, opening up new visual possibilities. 🔒 Potential applications span security, accessibility for the visually impaired, and communication, offering transformative benefits across various domains. The realm of human vision is on the brink of a revolutionary breakthrough, thanks to the development of innovative contact lenses that allow humans to perceive infrared light. These lenses, requiring no external power source, promise to unlock a world previously unseen by the naked eye. As researchers push the boundaries of wearable technology, these lenses may soon become a staple for various applications, ranging from security enhancements to aiding the visually impaired. This groundbreaking technology offers a glimpse into a future where human capabilities are enhanced beyond current limitations. Mice, Morse Code, and Multi-Color IR Detection In the quest to create superhuman vision, researchers have successfully tested their infrared-detecting contact lenses on both mice and humans. The lenses allowed mice to perceive infrared light, prompting behavioral changes such as avoiding illuminated zones, a clear indicator of infrared perception. When applied to human trials, participants could decipher Morse-code-like signals from infrared LED sources, judging the direction of incoming signals accurately. Notably, participants experienced improved infrared vision when they closed their eyes, as near-infrared (NIR) light penetrates the eyelid more effectively than visible light. This fascinating development underscores the potential of these lenses to enhance human perception in unique ways. By fine-tuning the nanoparticles within the lenses, researchers enabled users to distinguish between different NIR wavelengths, effectively adding a color-coding capability to the technology. This ability to perceive color variations in infrared light opens up new possibilities for communication and information transmission, making these lenses a versatile tool in numerous fields. 'Mach 6 From a Runway': US Unveils Hypersonic Jet Engine That Could Redefine Military Airpower and Global Strike Speed Looking Ahead: Better Resolution and Broader Applications While the development of infrared contact lenses marks a significant leap forward, challenges remain. The proximity of the lenses to the retina causes light scattering, which reduces image sharpness. To address this, researchers have also developed a goggle-style wearable using the same nanoparticle technology, which offers enhanced resolution. This alternative form factor could prove valuable for tasks requiring more precise visual acuity. The current iteration of lenses is limited to detecting strong NIR emissions from LED sources. Enhancing their sensitivity to ambient infrared radiation in natural environments is a key focus for future research. Collaborations with materials scientists and optical experts aim to create contact lenses with improved spatial resolution and heightened sensitivity, paving the way for even broader applications. 'Mind-Controlled Roaches Are Real': Scientists Use UV Helmets to Wirelessly Command Cockroach Cyborgs in Chilling New Experiment Nanoparticle Technology: The Engine Behind Super Vision At the heart of these groundbreaking contact lenses lies the sophisticated use of nanoparticles. These specialized particles are embedded into soft contact lenses, where they convert NIR wavelengths into visible light. Emitting light in the 400–700 nm range, these particles enable wearers to perceive infrared sources as distinct visual signals. This conversion process is what allows the lenses to transform invisible infrared light into something visible to the human eye. The versatility of nanoparticle technology extends beyond just infrared detection. By converting red visible light into green, this technology could also assist individuals with color blindness, making previously indistinguishable hues visible. The potential applications of these lenses are vast, and as the technology matures, it may offer solutions to a range of visual impairments and challenges. UK Unleashes Instant Drug Scanner: New High-Tech Street Weapon Can Detect Narcotics Before They're Even Consumed Potential Applications: Security, Accessibility, and Beyond The implications of infrared contact lenses are profound, offering transformative benefits across multiple domains. In security and rescue operations, the ability to perceive flickering infrared signals could facilitate covert communication and information transmission. Encryption and anti-counterfeiting measures could also benefit from the unique capabilities of these lenses. For the visually impaired, the lenses may provide a novel form of assistance, enabling them to perceive visual cues that were previously inaccessible. As the technology evolves, its applications are likely to expand, offering enhanced vision to a wider audience. The lenses represent a significant step toward non-invasive wearable devices that bestow superhuman capabilities, enriching our interaction with the world around us. As the development of infrared contact lenses continues to advance, the possibilities for enhancing human vision seem boundless. With ongoing research and collaboration, these lenses could soon become a ubiquitous tool, reshaping how we perceive and interact with our environment. What other breakthroughs in wearable technology might lie on the horizon, waiting to change the way we experience the world? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (21)
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Travel + Leisure
24-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This High-tech, Infrared Sauna at Amazon Is Like a Personal Spa at Home—and It's on Sale for Under $2K
As a travel writer, there are days I wish I could jet off to a Nordic wellness retreat and sweat away my stress in a sauna. But packing my bag for a spa getaway is pricey, and hitting one up several times a year is far out of budget. Leave it to Amazon to have the solution. The retailer is selling at-home saunas that look similar to ones at a wellness retreat, but for a fraction of the cost. I'm eyeing an infrared home sauna that fits two people, has double insulation for durability, and is $250 off when you use the on-site coupon. When you take into account the price of round-trip flights, lodging, food, transportation, and spa treatments, investing in an at-home option makes sense. You can experience spa-like sauna treatments whenever you want, minus the additional costs. The wooden design gives it a natural look, and the reversible glass door punctuates its sleek and modern aesthetic. At 47.3 inches by 39.5 inches, it can fit right in your basement or large walk-in closet. And up to two people can fit inside, so you can decompress by yourself or with your partner after a long day of work. It even includes luxe features, like two built-in Bluetooth speakers for playing meditation sounds or your favorite relaxing music. It also has seven cool-to-touch carbon fiber heaters to help distribute heat throughout the sauna, and the digital control panel allows you to set the temperature and time for your session. The infrared sauna uses built-in LED lights to create heat, unlike steam saunas that rely on an external device to generate steam and heat. Out of 1,434 Amazon ratings, 1,219 were a perfect five out of five, which just attests to its quality. One reviewer said it was a 'breeze' to put together (about 30 minutes with two people), only takes around 10 minutes to heat up, and comfortably seats two people. They've been using it almost daily. Another fan confirmed that it was easy to assemble, and added that it provides plenty of heat to detox. Shop the Jnh Infrared At-home sauna while it's still on sale, and check out more at-home and portable saunas available at Amazon, below. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Night Vision' Contacts Are Here, Scientists Say
In the 1980s, people wore their sunglasses at night. In the 2020s, people will be able to wear ultra advanced contact lenses that grant the wearer 'super-vision,' according to researchers. In a new report from Live Science, the new super contacts will allow wearers to see infrared wavelengths that are usually invisible to the human eye. Talk about a major upgrade. In a press release, researcher and senior author of the paper about the contacts, Tian Xue, said that the contacts will have a wide variety of applications. 'Our research opens up the potential for non-invasive wearable devices to give people super-vision,' said Tian Xue, a neuroscientist at the University of Science and Technology of China. 'There are many potential applications right away for this material. For example, flickering infrared light could be used to transmit information in security, rescue, encryption or anti-counterfeiting settings.' Right now though, the contact lenses are still purely in the realm of scientific study. They have been tested on both mice and humans. The tests so far have proved that without the lenses, there were certain things humans simply could not see. '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,' said Xue. 'We also found that when the subject closes their eyes, they're even better able to receive this flickering information, because near-infrared light penetrates the eyelid more effectively than visible light, so there is less interference from visible light.' If you want to read more about the science involved, you can check out more details here. 'Night Vision' Contacts Are Here, Scientists Say first appeared on Men's Journal on May 23, 2025
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Scientists create night-vision contact lenses that even work with your eyes closed
Scientists have developed contact lenses that allow people to see in the dark, and even work better when people have their eyes closed. Unlike night vision goggles, these lenses do not require a power source and allow the wearer to perceive a range of infrared wavelengths, and researchers say they could give people 'super-vision'. Professor Tian Xue, from the University of Science and Technology in China, said: 'Our research opens up the potential for non-invasive wearable devices, and there are many potential applications right away. 'For example, flickering infrared light could be used to transmit information in security, rescue, encryption or anti-counterfeiting settings.' Humans can see a range of light waves called the visible light spectrum, which encompasses wavelengths from around 380 to 700 nanometers. The contact lens technology uses nanoparticles that absorb light we cannot see and converts it into wavelengths that are visible. These nanoparticles specifically enable detection of 'near-infrared light', which is infrared light in the 800-1600 nanometer range - just beyond what humans can already see. The team previously showed that these nanoparticles enable infrared vision in mice when injected into the retina, but they wanted to design a less invasive option. To create the contact lenses, they combined the nanoparticles with flexible, non-toxic polymers that are used in standard soft contact lenses. Tests showed that the contact lenses allowed humans to accurately detect flashing morse code-like infrared signals in pitch blackness. They could even see better when they had their eyes closed, as it blocked out any interference from light on the normal visibility spectrum. '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,' Professor Xue said. 'We also found that when the subject closes their eyes, they're even better able to receive this flickering information. 'This is because near-infrared light penetrates the eyelid more effectively than visible light, so there is less interference from visible light.' An additional tweak to the contact lenses meant the nanoparticles could color-code different infrared wavelengths. For example, infrared wavelengths of 980 nanometers were converted to blue light, wavelengths of 808 nanometers were converted to green light, and wavelengths of 1,532 nanometers were converted to red light. This allowed wearers to perceive more detail in what they were seeing. It could also one day help colorblind people see wavelengths that they would otherwise be unable to detect, the researchers said. 'By converting red visible light into something like green visible light, this technology could make the invisible visible for colorblind people,' Professor Xue said. Currently, the contact lenses are only able to detect infrared radiation projected from an LED light source, but the researchers are working to increase the nanoparticles' sensitivity so that 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,' Professor Xue said. Writing in the journal Cell the team said: 'Light plays a particularly essential role in conveying a significant amount of external information for living organisms to comprehend the world. 'However, mammals can only perceive a small fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum as visible light. 'This means that over half of the solar radiation energy, existing as infrared light, remains imperceptible to mammals. 'Here, we report wearable near-infrared up-conversion contact lenses with suitable optical properties…flexibility and biocompatibility. 'Humans wearing [the contact lenses] could accurately detect near-infrared temporal information like Morse code and discriminate near-infrared pattern images. 'Interestingly, humans with [the contact lenses] exhibited better discrimination of near-infrared light compared with visible light when their eyes were closed.'
