Night Vision for Your Eyeglasses

The night vision goggles that the military uses are useful but bulky, and they require a lot of power. Now, scientists from the University of Florida have developed a thin, flexible film that uses LEDs for night-vision technology. This new film is lightweight and uses much less energy to convert infrared light into visible images, according to scientist Franky So.

So does this by using technology borrowed from flat screen TVs. Infrared light enters the film and is detected by the first of seven separate layers, which generates a slight electrical charge. Additional electrical energy -- about three to five volts -- amplifies that signal, which is then converted back into visible light.

Like most of today's night vision cameras, So's device emits an eerie green light. Unlike most night vision technology today, however, So's design would weigh less than 100 grams (less than a quarter of a pound). Part of that weight is the proof of concept small size -- about one square centimeter -- but So says that even a full scale device could weigh as little as 10 grams and be only a few microns thick.

This technology could be used for eyeglasses, cell phones, and even car windshields. Link -via Digg

(image credit: AP/Anja Niedringhaus)