Researchers from the Australian National University have developed technology that allows people to see clearly in the dark revolutionizing night vision. The researchers used a first-of-it’s-kind thin film that is ultra-compact and could eventually work on standard glasses.
The prototype technology uses nanoscale crystals and has the potential to be used in the defence industry as well as making it safer to drive and walk at night. The tech is thin and lightweight, potentially reducing chronic neck injuries resulting from carrying bulky night-vision devices in use today.
What is the benefit to this technology over Current infrared imaging technology?
The technology, which works at room temperature, converts infrared light into light visible to the human eye. Researchers say it’s cheap and easy to produce at a mass scale, making it a preferred choice over the current high-end infrared imaging tech that requires cryogenic freezing and is costly to produce.
What makes this technology special?
The research marks the first time in the world that infrared light has been successfully transformed into visible images using an ultra-thin screen. Researchers believe the technology will change the landscape for night vision forever. Scientists working on the project are clear that their device is a first proof-of-concept experiment. However, they are actively working to advance the technology further.
The film is made from nanometer-scale crystals that are hundreds of times thinner than a human hair. The small size of the crystals means they can be directly applied to glasses to act as a filter allowing users to see in darkness.
The first-of-its-kind thin film has been described in a new report published in the journal Advanced Photonics. It could be very useful to security personnel who currently use the heavy helmet-mounted night vision goggles that they say have led to neck pain.
“We have made the invisible visible,” lead researcher Dr. Rocio Camacho Morales said in a report published on the ANU website. “Our technology is able to transform infrared light, normally invisible to the human eye, and turn this into images people can clearly see — even at distance.”
When is this Technology expected to be available for commercial use?
The scientists, who had received help from European and British researchers on this project, are now working to advance the technology further. It’s not yet clear when the technology would be available for commercial use.
