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Technology

Superhuman sight may be possible with lens that makes UV light visible

By Matthew Sparkes

13 January 2021

The lens

A lens for viewing UV light

Jad Salman

A series of coated lenses can allow people to see ultraviolet light superimposed onto the visible spectrum, extending the range of our senses without the need of electronic devices.

UV imaging can be used to diagnose skin conditions or detect faults in electrical systems. It can also help reveal normally camouflaged objects, which is perhaps why animals such as reindeer have evolved to have this ability.

Existing devices to view UV light have a major drawback in that they block the normally visible spectrum of light – you can see UV,…

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