Seeing the Unseen Near-Infrared: Artificial Retina Surpasses Human Visual Limits [Reading Science]

Simultaneous Perception of Near-Infrared While Maintaining Visible Light Vision
Behavioral Responses Observed in Blind Mice

A domestically developed implantable artificial retina capable of perceiving near-infrared light—previously invisible to the human eye—has been realized by a Korean research team. This achievement goes beyond simple vision restoration, as it adds visual information from new wavelengths while maintaining conventional visible light vision, making it the world’s first sensory-augmenting artificial retina. Experts say it could serve as the starting point for “human augmentation” technology.

According to the National Research Foundation of Korea on April 14, a research team led by Professor Jangwoong Park at Yonsei University has developed an implantable artificial retina device that converts near-infrared light into electrical signals to stimulate retinal nerves, thereby enabling the simultaneous perception of both visible and near-infrared light. This research was supported by the Bio-Medical Technology Development Program of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea. The results were published in the international journal Nature Electronics, specializing in electronic devices, on the 13th.

Conceptual diagram of an artificial retina structure and retinal surface implantation composed of a near-infrared transmission filter, phototransistor, and three-dimensional liquid metal electrode. It converts near-infrared light into electrical signals to directly stimulate the retinal nerves. Illustration description and provided by Professor Jangwoong Park, Yonsei University.

Human vision, including that of other mammals, is limited to visible light in the 400–700 nanometer (nm) range. Near-infrared wavelengths, which are longer, are used for night vision, thermal information detection, and drone target identification, but humans are inherently unable to perceive them. The research team succeeded in adding previously invisible spectral regions as new visual channels, going beyond the conventional concept of “vision restoration” in artificial retinas.

The key lies in an ultra-compact implantable device. It combines a phototransistor that converts near-infrared light into electrical signals, an ultrathin filter that selectively transmits only near-infrared light while allowing visible light to pass through, and a three-dimensional liquid metal electrode that closely adheres to ocular tissue, all designed to directly stimulate retinal ganglion cells.

Visible light follows the natural visual pathway through photoreceptors, while near-infrared light is transmitted via phototransistors and three-dimensional liquid metal electrodes to directly stimulate retinal ganglion cells, forming an artificial visual pathway. Illustration explanation and provided by Professor Jangwoong Park of Yonsei University.

Experimental results showed that normal mice implanted with the device maintained their original visible light vision and exhibited new responses to near-infrared stimulation. In mice blinded by retinal degeneration, clear visual cortex responses to near-infrared light were also observed following implantation. Notably, in a water reward behavioral experiment, the mice demonstrated predictive movement in response to near-infrared signals, proving that actual “seeing ability” was achieved, going beyond simple neural reactions.

This study is regarded as the first case of human augmentation bioelectronic engineering that extends human senses to areas not originally possessed, surpassing the restoration of lost vision. The technology holds significant promise for expansion into fields such as night surveillance, defense, medical imaging assistance, precision neuromodulation, and brain-machine interfaces.

Professor Jangwoong Park stated, “It is highly significant that we have realized the world’s first system in which conventional vision and new vision operate simultaneously,” adding, “We expect future expansion into not only night surveillance, defense, and medical diagnostics, but also as a neural interface platform.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.