These contact lenses give people infrared vision — even with their eyes shut

Sci-fi-style technology uses nanoparticles to convert infrared light into visible light that humans can see.

Humans have a new way of seeing infrared light, without the need for clunky night-vision goggles. Researchers have made the first contact lenses to convey infrared vision — and the devices work even when people have their eyes closed.

The team behind the invention, led by scientists at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, gave the lenses their power by infusing them with nanoparticles that convert near-infrared light in the 800–1,600-nanometre range into shorter-wavelength, visible light that humans can see, in the 400–700-nanometre range. The researchers estimate that the lenses cost around US$200 per pair to make.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01630-x?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=217f97173f-nature-briefing-daily-20250523&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b27a691814-217f97173f-51030348
Date: May 22, 2025