Scientists Discover “Olo”: A New color Beyond Imagination
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BERKELEY — May 9, 2024 — Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered a new color, which they call “olo.” This groundbreaking achievement involves manipulating the eye’s cone cells using lasers, resulting in a visual experience unlike anything previously witnessed.Originating at UC Berkeley, where the discovery of the unique color “olo” expands research into the boundaries of perception, opening new avenues in vision science.
a Shade Beyond Imagination: Scientists Discover “Olo,” a Color Never Seen Before
imagine a color so unique, so vibrant, that it lies beyond the realm of human experience. Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, claim to have achieved just that, creating a new hue they call “olo.” This groundbreaking discovery pushes the boundaries of human vision, offering a glimpse into the untapped potential of our perception.
unlocking the Unseen: How “Olo” Was Created
the creation of “olo” involved a elegant manipulation of the eye’s cone cells, the light-sensitive receptors responsible for color vision.Humans perceive thousands of colors thru three types of cones: long (l), medium (m), and short (s), each sensitive to different wavelengths of light.
the Berkeley team focused on isolating and stimulating the m cones. By charting a small section of a participant’s retina, they precisely located the m cones. a laser was then used to scan the retina, delivering brief pulses of light to each m cone, compensating for any eye movement. This near-exclusive stimulation of the m cones produced a color outside the natural visual spectrum.
a Glimpse of the Intangible: describing the Undescribable
while the researchers have provided a turquoise square as a visual reference, they emphasize that the true essence of “olo” can only be experienced through direct laser stimulation of the retina. there is no way to convey that colour in an article or on a monitor,
said austin roorda, a vision scientist on the team. the whole point is that this is not the colour we see, it’s just not. the colour we see is a version of it,but it absolutely pales by comparison with the experience of olo.
five participants who experienced “olo” described it as “blue-green,” but admitted that this description fails to capture the full experience. the color’s properties remain elusive, hinting at a sensory experience beyond our current vocabulary.
we predicted from the beginning that it would look like an unprecedented colour signal but we didn’t know what the brain would do with it. it was jaw-dropping. it’s incredibly saturated.
ren ng, an electrical engineer at the University of California, Berkeley
the Implications: Expanding the Boundaries of perception
the discovery of “olo” raises profound questions about the limits of human perception and the potential for manipulating our sensory experiences. it opens new avenues for research in vision science,possibly leading to treatments for color blindness or the growth of new display technologies.
olo and OLO: Disambiguation
it is indeed critically importent to note that while this article discusses the newly discovered color “olo,” the term also refers to [[2]] a brand of art markers. these markers, available in a wide range of colors, are unrelated to the color created in the university of california, berkeley experiment. [[3]] the olo marker palette features 160 colors, with over 90 new colors in development as of early 2024. [[2]]
faq: Unveiling the Mysteries of “Olo”
- what is “olo?”
- “olo” is a newly discovered color created by stimulating specific cells in the retina with lasers.
- can i see “olo” on my computer screen?
- no, “olo” cannot be accurately reproduced on a screen. it requires direct stimulation of the retina.
- how was “olo” created?
- scientists used lasers to selectively stimulate the m cones in the retina, bypassing normal light perception.
- what does “olo” look like?
- participants described it as “blue-green,” but this description is inadequate. the true experience is unique and indescribable.
- is “olo” related to olo markers?
- no, the color “olo” is a scientific discovery, while olo is also the name of a brand of art markers.[[2]]
