According to the rumors, the soldiers were using night vision contact lenses. The lenses are claimed to get power by magnetic induction. The wearer would put a gel with a strong magnet on the eyelids and each time they blink the lenses would be charged. That is so awesome – assuming it’s more than a rumor.

Contacts for night vision would be very cool because the wearer would get their peripheral vision back. Peripheral vision is lost with the wearing of normal night vision goggles. This may well have no truth to it, but I could see the army fielding some straight up Pitch Black sci-fi contacts.

[via kitup]

To do that, 30MP or even 50MP just isn’t enough resolution. The sensor needed for this sort of photography is the 268MP image sensor you see here that is designed for the OmegaCAM. This is a camera sensor that is used with a telescope on Earth to shoot photos at the European Southern Observatory.

The massive sensor is made up of 32 different CCD sensors and weighs in at 1700 pounds. I don’t even want to know how expensive it was. Check out the photos here to see just how gigantic the sensor actually is.

The image below was shot with the OmegaCAM, and at this resolution doesn’t do the original justice.

[via Petapixel]

Researchers Lei Li and Allen Yi at Ohio State University have developed a stand-alone stationary lens capable of capturing 3D microscopic images. The custom acrylic glass lens was cut using a diamond blade, and looks sort of like a faceted gemstone when viewed up close. These asymmetrical facets each capture a part of an image from a different angle, and a computer program stitches them back together into 3D. It’s hard to tell from the image below, but what you’re looking at is the lens as it captures an image of a tiny drill bit imaged from multiple angles.

At this point, the technology is only planned for use in computer vision applications like the manufacture of microscopic components, but it’s possible that someday the same lens could be created for more traditional photographic uses.

[via PopSCI via PetaPixel]

The innovative technology allows manufacturers to embed full color, high-resolution color images that can only be seen when viewed through a special counterfeit detection lens. To mere humans without the reader lens, the badges just look like a reflective label. According to Fujifilm, it works by “controlling the wavelength of light at a nanometer level.” Here’s a demo of ForgeGuard labels in action:

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If you have a product you want to protect, or just want a cool way to hide messages in plain sight, you can find more information on ordering over at the Fujifilm website.

[via DigInfo TV]

Each pair of Transcend goggles has a built-in GPS system, along with a head-mounted display which can tell you how fast you’re traveling, as well as your coordinates and outdoor conditions. It can display real-time stats for: speed, altitude, vertical, total distance, number of runs, and temperature, and also has a stopwatch and clock. It also stores all of your data so you can load it onto your computer and track your progress on Google Maps.

The gadget works its magic through a micro-computer which processes data from an accelerometer, gyroscope, temperature sensor and pressure sensor, providing instantaneous feedback on the HMD. Controls are accessed through three large “glove-friendly” buttons on the side of the goggles, and everything is built into the goggles themselves, including a rechargeable battery with up to 8 hours of run time.

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Prices for the Transcend range from $399(USD) for the SPX model with a polarized lens to $499 for the SPPX version with a polarized and photochromic (automatic transitioning) lens. For more details, and to pre-order, head here if you live in Canada – or here if you live anywhere else.

The Sportscope Cubicle Periscope was originally designed for viewing sporting events, but is ideally suited for snooping around your office to check up on your office-mates. The periscope can magnify up to 5x, and is adjustable in height from 15″ to 22″. It’ll even work around corners, so you can check out what’s going on down the hallway.

The scope costs $59.99 and includes a carrying bag, as well as a removable carrying handle and belt clip.