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Researchers from the Australian National University have developed an ultra-thin coating that can turn any pair of glasses into night vision equipment.
This technology uses tiny nanocrystals arranged in a single plane that is hundreds of times thinner than human hair. It is a coating so light that it can be glued on normal glasses. Plus, it’s so cheap and easy to produce that it can be mass-sold.
Scientists do not provide a detailed explanation of how this coating works. So far these are early stage prototypes. However, it is revealed that the glasses only work in conjunction with an 860nm laser whose light is not visible to the human eye. The crystals combine reflected laser light with infrared light invisible to humans and create vivid images.
Researchers believe the technology would be particularly useful for soldiers, police and security personnel. These people already regularly work with heavy and expensive night vision equipment. Military night vision devices are often helmet mounted and can be easily tripped and damaged. Also, due to their weight and position, large night vision devices sometimes cause head and neck injuries.
But scientists believe their invention would also benefit civilians. For those who simply walk or drive at night. But also for hunters, environmentalists, scientists.
The study was published in the journal spiedigitallibrary.org.
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