The artificial eye from China “sees” better than the human eye (3 photos)

The human eye is one of the most difficultand meanwhile the fragile organs in our body, through which we receive most of the information from the outside world. Scientists all over the world are working on the creation of an artificial analogue of the eye. The ten-year work of Chinese researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology was successful in solving one of the most important problems - the creation of a photosensitive analogue of the retina of the human eye. The result can be an increase in the effectiveness of visual acuity for prostheses, implants and robotic systems.

According to the developers, the new artificialthe eye successfully imitates the spherical shape of the natural organ of vision. The photosensitive retina was replaced by the perovskite material used in solar cells. Nerves connecting the retina and the human brain in the artificial system have replaced nanowires. The system is mounted on a reliable spherical aluminum substrate that focuses light. The luminous flux, falling on the perovskite surface, generates a signal recognized as an image. At this stage, scientists have to solve a key problem - establishing "communication" between the artificial eye and the human brain.

Artificial Eye Specificationsfar exceed the capabilities of human vision. This is partly due to the much higher density of sensors per unit area in the analogue, compared with the density of nerve endings in the natural retina.

The Chinese have achieved a density of 460 million sensors onone square centimeter, while nature gave a person a retina with a density of 10 million neurons per square centimeter. As a result, visual acuity increases and the frequency range accepted by the artificial eye, which is able to “see” in the infrared range, responds to waves with a length of 800 nm, which allows you to navigate in twilight and darkness.

Developers are working on integrating intoa system of elements of artificial intelligence, which allows not only to see an object, but also to obtain primary information about it, directly at the first visual contact. Scientists hope for the practical implementation of the invention in the next decade.

Source: scientificamerican