Get All Access for $5/mo

Eye of the Tiger: U.S. Army Eyes Night Vision Contact Lenses Forget heavy night vision goggles. Scientists are developing a better, lighter way for soldiers to see in the dark.

By Kim Lachance Shandrow

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Fighting wars in the dark could get a little less harrowing in the future. And a lot more cat-like. That is if the U.S. Army swaps out bulky night vision goggles for contact lenses that could also see things go bump in the night.

Yes, we're talking featherweight futuristic night vision awesomeness here, Iron Man soldier suit style, without the hulking suit. They seem almost as cool as Google's blood glucose-level tracking contacts.

Scientists at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering have invented a room-temperature light sensor that doesn't require heavy cooling equipment to function. They recently published their research in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

The researchers achieved this (with help from their graduate students) by using graphene, the two-dimensional nanomaterial that the American Physical Society calls the "wonder material" of the future because it's "a million times thinner than paper, stronger than diamond, more conductive than copper."

So using graphene, on top of pioneering some innovative electrical signal amplification techniques, allowed researchers to create a thermal sensor "smaller than a pinky nail," certainly light enough to incorporate into a "super-thin" contact lens prototype.

And, voila, we have infrared night vision contact lenses. Similar high-tech "cat vision" contacts might have been worn by Navy SEAL Team Six when they took out Osama Bin Laden during Operation Neptune Spear in May 2011.

The killer thermal vision contact lenses of the future aren't quite ready yet for production, let alone mass production. Not until researchers can increase the range of temperatures they pick up on and the amount of light they're sensitive to, which could take years, according to Wired. Then there's the battle to lasso all of the proper safety approvals, along with courting partnerships with government agencies and private companies.

Researchers envision some interesting mass consumer uses for their ultra-light infrared sensor technology. They say it could be applied it to vehicle windshields to help drivers see better when driving at night. It could also be incorporated into smartphone cameras to snap infrared shots.

We didn't think there'd be enough of a demand for thermographic photography for smartphone makers to bother, but there's already budding market for it. There's even an iPhone night vision adapter in the works.

What crazy apps and gadgets have you come across lately? Let us know by emailing us at FarOutTech@entrepreneur.com or by telling us in the comments below.

Kim Lachance Shandrow

Former West Coast Editor

Kim Lachance Shandrow is the former West Coast editor at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was a commerce columnist at Los Angeles CityBeat, a news producer at MSNBC and KNBC in Los Angeles and a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times. She has also written for Government Technology magazine, LA Yoga magazine, the Lowell Sun newspaper, HealthCentral.com, PsychCentral.com and the former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Coop. Follow her on Twitter at @Lashandrow. You can also follow her on Facebook here

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business News

New Southwest Airlines Major Investor Wants to Force Out CEO, Slams Company's 'Stubborn Unwillingness to Evolve'

Elliot Investment Management announced a $1.9 billion stake in the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines on Monday and is urging shareholders to vote for new leadership.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Business News

Apple's AI Has a Catch — And It Could Help Boost Sales

Not every iPhone owner will get to use the new Apple Intelligence.

Business News

Y Combinator Helped Launch Reddit, Airbnb and Dropbox. Here's What I Learned From Its Free Startup School.

The famed startup accelerator offers a free course on building a business — and answers five pressing questions for founders.