Rats get infrared vision

Serris · **on:** September 15, 2013, 04:42:16 PM

Article

Basically, scientists implanted electrodes in the rats' somatosensory cortex and wired up the electrodes to an infrared camera. They were then able to react to infrared light as if it were visible light after about a month of learning.

It is noted that hypothetically any sensory input could be used from magnetic fields to infrared light. Human use is also a possibility.

So what do y'all think?

I'll admit when I saw this, I immediately thought of my furry cyberpunk RP Into the Black.

bushwacked · **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2013, 05:18:59 PM

Hey, it's Axel! (Kinda...)

This is pretty interesting, sounds like it could be the the first step in an improvement for those with prosthetics, and it's awesome to think how it could theoretically open up a whole new range of senses for us. One commenter on the article made an interesting point though, would our brains be able to cope with the surge of new information?

jansenov · **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2013, 05:29:51 PM

This will be useful for disabled people, due to ease of use, and the military, due to the need to quickly provide the brain with information necessary for split-second decisions in combat (predominantly aerial combat, where "seeing" radiowaves or microwaves could give some additional milliseconds of time).

For all other purposes miniature sensors with standard, non-organic, user-friendly interfaces will be good enough, and far cheaper.

Ptyra · **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2013, 07:31:21 PM

And now, we await the day for infrared contact lenses. Or glasses

rhombus · **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2013, 09:09:43 PM

I remember a news article from a few years back which described a similar procedure for detecting visual light in rats. I am glad to see that the technology is improving from the rather crude attempts that were being tested a few years ago. It will be interesting to see how this technology is applied over the next several years.

Kor · **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2013, 10:27:43 PM

Years back they what may be a similar thing in humans on the old pbs show Scientific American Frontiers. It was some circuits they put on the retina and the person had to wear what looked like glasses that had a camera, or more then one camera. Though as I recall the resolution wasn't to high. I can imagine how it'll be if it progresses for a decade or 2.