If you ever wished you had Superman ’s power to shoot optical maser out of your eyeballs , you may give thanks science for helping to make your dream more of a realism . Researchers at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland have developed an ultra - thin membrane that can be attach to inter-group communication lenses , allow lasers to be give off , Newsweekreports . Their findings werepublishedin the journalNature Communications .
The membrane is made from an constitutive semiconducting polymer , and the lasers it emits are being bill as the domain ’s smallest and weak . It was test on a cow ’s centre , but researchers say they carry it to be safe for human habit .
" In ancient Greece , Plato believe that visual perceptual experience is mediate by ' middle beams'—beams actively sent out by the eyes to probe the surroundings , " Malte Gather , one of three researchers who conducted the study , enounce in astatement . " Plato ’s emission theory has of course of action long been refute , but superheroes with optical maser in their eyes be on in popular culture and comic Book . Our work represents a new milestone in optical maser development . "
When the membrane is illuminated by another laser , it ’s able-bodied to produce a unique " digital barcode . " fight off scoundrel is plausibly not the most pragmatic practical app of an optic optical maser , but it could be used as a " flexible and wearable security measures tatter , " according to researchers . This could demonstrate utilitarian to the field of biophotonics and photomedicine , and could even be used to detect explosive . investigator discovered that the material could be attached to paper money so as to authenticate the card and keep counterfeiting . It was also successfully tested on fingernails , meaning that it could be used in biometric fingermark scans .
Meanwhile , some companies are continue to work on the development of " saucy " link lens . New York - based companyRaayonNovais develop lenses that would let in special features to avail the visually impaired , like the ability to magnify sign of the zodiac or release a word of advice when they ’re in danger . Samsung and Google are also reportedly among the big fellowship racing to develop this engineering science , and startup Magic Leap is working on lenses that coalesce digital displays with your normal vision—“like dreaming with your eyes unresolved , " the house ’s director tellsHerald Scotland .
[ h / tNewsweek ]
