Described in the journal Advanced Materials, the technology scraps conventional night vision technologies for an entirely new approach. Night vision as we know it sucks up a tonne of electricity - several thousand volts at a time, according to the lead researcher on the project - to maintain a vacuum within the device.

But thin-film night vision requires no vacuum, instead using a few layers of energy-efficient OLEDs to convert infrared light to the visible spectrum. Seven separate layers of OLEDs detect IR light as it enters, generating a tiny electrical charge. A tiny amount of electricity - just three to five volts - amplifies the signal as it passes through the additional layers.

By the time the image comes out the other end, it’s converted into visible spectrum light, producing a green-lit picture similar to that of existing night vision tech. The difference: a full scale night vision device might weigh less than a 100 grams with the night vision tech only being a few microns thick.

The proof of concept for the technology is only about one square centimeter, but researchers think they could scale the concept to a useable device like a car windshield or cell phone camera within just 18 months. Which means by the time you get around to picking up that iPhone 5G, you might be able to scrap your Flashlight app for a crisp green means of seeing in the dark. — Clay Dillow

[Discovery News]