No less of a journal than Nature has reported researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology as creating a proof-of-concept bionic eye that could surpass the sensitivity of a human one
Being a gentleman of an ageing vintage, your TMR ed has fond childhood memories of the 1970s TV series called The Six Million Dollar Man.
It featured a chap called Steve Austin for whom scientists had furnished many technological advantages, including a “bionic eye” with capabilities far superior to the bog-standard humanoid version.
Decades hence, and we may be on the cusp of such fantastical fiction becoming reality.
No less of a journal than Nature has reported researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology as creating a proof-of-concept bionic eye that could surpass the sensitivity of a human one.
The “eye” is a 3D artificial retina containing a dense array of light-sensitive nanowires. These wires can exceed the optical wavelength range of the human eye and respond to 800 nanometer wavelengths, the threshold between visual light and infrared radiation.
In short, they can see in the dark.
Admittedly, there’s still plenty of work needed to connect this artificial eye to the human visual system, but eat your heart out, Bionic Steve …
