Israeli scholars have developed nanofilms that convert infrared light into visible light

Researchers at the famous Israeli research-based Ben-Gurion University of the Negev say they have developed a low-cost infrared sensor that can create the world's thinnest night vision glasses and revolutionize smartphones and automation. Infrared night vision application for driving a car.

According to the James Consulting, Professor Gabby Sarusi of the Institute of Nanoscience and Technology at Ben-Gurion University developed a stamp-like device that reads infrared light at 1500 nm on one side and infrared light on the other. Turn sideways into visible light imaging that the human eye can see. The device is based on a film that is only 0.6 um thick. The film consists of a nano-material layer, a nano-pillar and an ultra-thin metal foil. This magical film converts infrared light into visible light.

“The film can be mounted in front of ordinary glasses or telescopes, turning them into infrared devices. It can also be made on conventional visible light sensors, making them infrared sensors, 'seeing' infrared light that is invisible to the human eye. ," Sarusi said.

According to Sarusi, the technology could replace the bulky night vision device with lightweight, low-powered glasses for soldiers on the battlefield. The technology is based primarily on nanotechnology and physical technology, and the only electronic component involved is a miniature battery.

But this technology has many broad and promising applications, such as self-driving cars. The device using this technology can convert infrared light into visible light, and enhance the visual ability for autonomous vehicles in the case of night, rain, snow, fog and other poor visibility.

In addition, strong daylight creates a lot of trouble for current conventional vision sensors, while infrared sensors are not affected by glare.

Sarusi said: "An infrared sensor often costs about $3,000, and the conventional vision sensor used in autonomous vehicles costs about $1 to $2. Therefore, with the nano-film technology we developed, the overall cost is only 7-8. Around the dollar, this will significantly reduce the cost of autonomous vehicles."
“This technology will bring a low-cost infrared sensor that can be used on a large scale, and it is absolutely revolutionary for cost-conscious applications such as autonomous vehicles,” Sarusi said in a speech last week. Sensors are the foundation of autonomous vehicles, and they need to be more economical. This membrane technology can be used for camera sensors to help autopilot cars 'see' farther and clearer, and can also be applied to vehicle environment-aware LiDAR (laser) Radar) sensor."

According to Sarusi, another promising application of this technology will be smartphones that will bring more innovative infrared vision applications.
At present, Ben-Gurion University has started licensing of this technology and established a startup to further develop products for commercialization. According to Sarusi, the actual commercialization of this technology may take two or three years.