We might not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound like Superman, but there's one trait we could soon share with The Man of Steel: shooting lasers from our eyes.
A study out this month from researchers at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland claim these "ocular lasers" are possible using an ultra-thin membrane laser with organic semiconductors.
Researchers were able to test the laser using a cow's eye, as well as on physical paper currency as a security feature.
Before you get too excited, no, you won't be able to cut through steel or other objects like Superman, but the lasers will boast more practical uses.
"Our work represents a new milestone in laser development and, in particular, points the way to how lasers can be used in inherently soft and ductile environments, be it in wearable sensors or as an authentication feature on bank notes," said Malte Gather, a co-author of the study and professor at the School of Physics and Astronomy at St. Andrews, in a statement.
The study also explored whether the laser could be used as a "wearable security tag," worn by humans in contact lenses "where they may complement a biometric authentication via an iris scan."
The study was published May 1 in the journal Nature Communications.
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