Neuroscientists and materials scientists have created contact lenses that enable infrared vision in both humans and mice by converting infrared light into visible light. Unlike infrared night vision goggles, the contact lenses, described in the journal Cell, do not require a power source—and they enable the wearer to perceive multiple infrared wavelengths. Because they’re transparent, users can see both infrared and visible light simultaneously, though infrared vision was enhanced when participants had their eyes closed.

“Our research opens up the potential for noninvasive wearable devices to give people super-vision,” says senior author 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.”

The contact lens technology uses nanoparticles that absorb infrared light and convert it into wavelengths that are visible to mammalian eyes (e.g., electromagnetic radiation in the 400–700 nm range). The nanoparticles specifically enable the detection of “near-infrared light,” which is infrared light in the 800‑1600 nm range, just beyond what humans can already see.

Deepnight’s Algorithm-intensified image enhancement for NIGHT VISION

Instead of using expensive image-intensification tubes, this startup is using ordinary low light sensors coupled with special computer algorithms to produce night vision. This will bring night vision to the general public. At present, even a generation 2 monocular costs around $2000, while a generation 3 device costs around $3500. The new system has the added advantage of being in color, instead of monochromatic. Hopefully, this will pan out, and change the situation for Astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.

Lucas Young, CEO of Deepnight, showcases how their AI technology transforms a standard camera into an affordable and effective night vision device in extremely dark environments.

IN A NUTSHELL The ARC-AGI-2 test challenges AI models to identify visual patterns and adapt to new problems. Unlike its predecessor, ARC-AGI-2 emphasizes efficiency, assessing both problem-solving ability and resource use. Many top AI models, including OpenAI’s o1-pro, scored around 1% on the test, highlighting current limitations. The Arc Prize 2025

Chinese researchers say they found jet’s potential vulnerability in study of simulated combat involving Taiwan.

Keeping up with the Joneses…

The big elephant in the room here is Micro-LED. That’s because, like QDEL, Micro-LED pixels are self-emissive, with each pixel containing a tiny red, blue, and green LED, which combine to produce different colors as needed. It also means that Micro-LED displays have that pixel-level control for true blacks.

But QDEL could win here, too. Quantum dots seem to be able to produce more saturated and more pure colors than LEDs, which is why quantum dots are used on many high-end TVs today. Of course, it’s entirely possible that Micro-LED technology could be combined with a quantum dot layer for purer and more vibrant colors, which would create a stunning image with a high level of brightness.

Likely, however, QDEL could end up doing a similar job as Micro-LED for much cheaper. Micro-LED has proven expensive to produce. While QDEL isn’t being used on consumer screens just yet, it could end up being much cheaper given the fact that quantum dots at this point are relatively easy to manufacture.

Using laser trapped atom lattices instead of solid metamaterials to achieve negative refraction!

A Beam of Light Undergoing Negative Refraction Within a Lattice of Laser-Trapped Atoms.

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