If our eyes were able to pick up infrared radiation, we could easily distinguish anything in the dark. The fact is that infrared light comes from almost all objects around us, but their waves are so long that the photoreceptors of mammalian eyes simply cannot catch them. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine have developed nanoparticles that can serve as tiny sensors to capture infrared rays and give humans and animals night vision.
Once in the eyes, these nanoparticles in the form of drops are delivered to the retinal photoreceptors and are attached to them. Once on retinal cells, nanoparticles capture long infrared rays and emit short wavelengths in the visible range. These waves are absorbed by photoreceptors, which send signals to the brain as they would if visible light were hitting the retina.
The effectiveness of the nanoparticles was tested in an experiment with mice. After receiving a dose of nanoparticles, the photoreceptors in the eyes of the mice began to shorten infrared wavelengths of 980 nm to 535 nm. In this case, infrared light acquired a green tint. Thanks to this effect, laboratory mice were able to pass the labyrinth with obstacles in complete darkness and even in good lighting without any problems.
The only side effect was clouding of the cornea, but it went away after about a week. The very ability to see in the dark persisted for ten weeks.
It is believed that the new development will be used in the creation of new military technologies. Undoubtedly, it will find application in medicine - having received new knowledge, scientists hope to find an effective way to treat color blindness.
Ramis Ganiev
