In the near future, bulky night vision devices could be replaced by an injection capable of causing the eye to see even in the dark.
The research, started months ago in Chinese and USA laboratories, has already given positive results in tests on mice. The study group says they are confident that they also work on humans.
Today, troops engaged in night scenarios wear large glasses to see in the dark. The devices use infrared sensors to pick up heat sources, painting a picture of a person's surroundings based on the radiated heat. Night vision goggles (NVG), although effective, are expensive, bulky and require electricity to operate.
NVGs also severely limit the wearer's field of vision: brutally, it feels like looking at the world through two toilet paper tubes. I smile, but this can create a false perspective of the surroundings, and during a battle it could prove dangerous.
In a study at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, researchers injected mice with nanoparticles that converted infrared light into visible light. Those researchers then put the mice in a maze alongside others who hadn't received the injections. Mice that received the treatment were able to find their way out of the maze.
The nanoparticles bind to the photoreceptors in the eyes of mice and provide night vision for up to 10 weeks with no adverse effects.
Xue Tian, one of the researchers, says he thinks the system will “definitely” work in humans too.
And here are my known doubts
There are a couple of problems that need to be addressed before this system can be employed. Primo, until scientists perform human trials, we won't know how effective nanoparticles are and how much humans will see in the dark. If it is poor compared to current night vision technology it is doubtful whether it can be improved. Secondoif the effects last only 10 weeks, it is likely that frequent injections will be required from subjects stationed in combat areas, and often in conditions of precarious hygiene.
The pros
Of course, if the injectable night vision works, expensive night vision devices would be no longer needed, with less energy consumption and lighter loads. The field of vision would be much wider (equal to that of daytime vision), with more operability and less risk of fatal errors.
