Tel Aviv University researchers have engineered a camera-mounted system that renders infrared light visible to the human eye, a development that could broaden access to a tool traditionally reserved for specialized laboratories. The findings, published in the journal Laser & Photonics Reviews, describe a device that attaches to a camera and translates the otherwise invisible infrared spectrum into colors people can see.
The human eye perceives only a sliver of the electromagnetic spectrum—the visible band between ultraviolet and infrared. This new system, however, allows users to view the infrared 'colors' emitted by objects and materials, effectively expanding the range of what can be observed with a standard camera. The technology works by converting infrared wavelengths into visible light, which is then displayed on the camera's screen.
According to the team, the device can image gases such as hydrogen, carbon, and sodium, each of which glows brightly in infrared. It can also capture natural scenes, which often appear surreal or otherworldly when viewed in this part of the spectrum. This capability, the researchers note, could make the technology useful for both scientific research and more casual applications like photography or citizen science projects.
Michael Mrejen, a physicist at Tel Aviv University, emphasized the broader context in a press release: '[Visible light is] only a tiny part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which also includes radio waves, microwaves, X-rays and more. In each of these parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, there is a great deal of information on materials encoded as 'colors' that has until now been hidden from view.'
Beyond its appeal to photographers and hobbyists, the low-cost nature of the system could have more consequential applications. Coauthor Haim Suchowski suggested in the release that an environmental monitoring satellite could use the technology to 'see' a pollutant being emitted from a plant, or a spy satellite could detect hidden explosives or uranium. These potential uses highlight the device's ability to reveal information that is otherwise invisible to standard optical instruments.
The development represents a step toward making infrared imaging more affordable and accessible, potentially lowering the barrier for researchers and enthusiasts who previously relied on expensive equipment. While the system is still in the research phase, its creators see a future where such cameras are used not only in labs but also in the field, from monitoring industrial emissions to documenting the natural world in a new light.
For now, the device remains a proof of concept, but the team's work suggests that the hidden colors of the infrared spectrum may soon be within reach for a wider audience.