Infrared Contact Lenses Developed to Enable Night Vision Capabilities

Infrared Contact Lenses and the Future of Night Vision

A team of neuroscientists has successfully engineered contact lenses that grant the wearer the ability to see in the dark, even with their eyes closed. In the research published in the journal Cell, the scientists explained how they developed these revolutionary lenses by converting infrared light into visible light. As noted by the portal Hil, the technology does not require an external light source. A person wearing this new type of lens can see both ordinary and infrared light simultaneously, with the infrared component being amplified when the eyes are kept closed.

While current capabilities allow only for the detection of infrared radiation emitted by LED lights, researchers are optimistic about future developments. The team hopes to eventually refine the technology to produce lenses with greater sensitivity and more precise resolution.

Accessing Historical Street View Data on Google Maps

While some research focuses on the future of human optics, other technologies allow users to revisit the past. According to reporting from TomsGuide and Blic, Google has spent decades building a massive, visual history of the world through its Street View feature. While many users utilize the application primarily for navigation or avoiding traffic, the platform includes a function that archives panoramic imagery, which is accessible to the public.

View this post on Instagram about Google Maps, Street View

To begin a digital journey through time on a desktop computer, a user should open Google Maps and enter a desired address. Once the location loads, the user can locate the "Pegman"—a small yellow silhouette—in the bottom right corner of the screen. By dragging and dropping this figure onto a blue-highlighted street, the user enters the Street View mode. Inside this digital street, a small clock icon labeled "See more dates" (Prikaži više datuma) appears in the top-left corner of the window. Clicking this icon opens a menu at the bottom of the screen displaying archived photographs from previous years, depending on the frequency of Google vehicle visits to that specific location.

For those using the Google Maps mobile application, the process is slightly different but achieves the same result. While in the Street View mode, a user can tap anywhere on the screen to reveal an options menu at the bottom. Selecting the "See more dates" option opens a carousel that allows the user to scroll through available years, enabling them to swipe backward through time.

The Psychology of Viral Optical Illusions

Technology often intersects with human perception through viral trends, such as a recent short animated clip of a horse that has caused significant debate on social media. Observers are often divided, with some convinced the horse is moving forward while others are certain it is moving backward. This has led many to wonder if their perception reveals specific details about their personality or cognitive style.

According to Radojko Vratonjić, a social media manager and journalist for the Biznis rubric, popular interpretations circulating online suggest that individuals who see the horse moving forward rely more on logic and analytical thinking, favoring planning and fact-based decision-making. Conversely, those who perceive the horse moving backward are described as more intuitive and creative, often favoring artistic expression and thinking outside conventional frameworks.

However, the report clarifies that there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that such optical illusions can reliably reveal a dominant side of the brain or specific personality traits. Instead, the perception of these images depends on several factors, including the observer’s attention, the viewing angle, and the complex ways in which the brain processes visual information.

Technology/Trend	Primary Function	Status/Source
Infrared Lenses	Enables night vision	Research published in Cell
Google Maps Archive	Historical street imagery	Available via "See more dates"
Optical Illusions	Cognitive perception test	Viral social media content