A Novel Approach to Infrared Vision
Credit:
Sheng Wang/CC BY-SA
A recent investigation into infrared contact lenses has revealed promising results when tested on human subjects. Participants were tasked with identifying flashing signals, resembling Morse code, in the infrared spectrum, as well as detecting the direction of incoming infrared light. Notably, these capabilities were observed exclusively when the subjects donned the specially designed lenses.
The researchers were particularly fascinated to discover that both mice and humans demonstrated an enhanced ability to distinguish infrared light compared to visible light when their eyes were closed. This phenomenon is thought to stem from the superior ability of infrared light to penetrate eyelids. Additionally, by modifying the nanoparticles, the team was able to color-code various infrared wavelengths. This innovation could potentially assist individuals with color blindness in recognizing a broader range of wavelengths.
However, there are certain limitations to the current technology. The proximity of the contact lenses to the retina hampers their ability to capture intricate details, due to light particle scattering. To tackle this issue, the team has created a wearable glass version of their nanoparticle technology, which can provide higher resolution images in the infrared spectrum. At present, the lenses are only capable of detecting infrared light emitted from an LED, indicating that enhancing the sensitivity of the nanoparticles to lower levels of infrared would be beneficial.
Despite these challenges, the development marks a notable advancement. “Our research presents a gateway for non-invasive wearable devices to enhance human vision,” stated co-author Tian Xue, a neuroscientist affiliated with the University of Science and Technology of China. “There are numerous immediate potential applications for this material, including the use of flickering infrared light for communication in security, rescue operations, encrypted messaging, or anti-counterfeiting measures. Looking ahead, by collaborating with materials scientists and optical specialists, we aspire to create a contact lens with better spatial resolution and increased sensitivity.”
Published in Cell, 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.04.019 (About DOIs).
