Science breakthrough as experts ‘discover a new colour’ never seen before

Scientists Report Discovery of Novel Color, ‘Olo,’ Through Vision Experiment

In a significant visual science advancement, researchers have announced the potential discovery of a new color, termed ‘Olo,’ that is outside the realm of human perception. This unprecedented finding, made by scientists at the University of California, emerged from an experiment designed to stimulate specific retina cone cells in the eye using precisely calibrated laser pulses.

Unveiling ‘Olo’: A Color Beyond Nature

Participants in the study, conducted with specialized laboratory equipment, described experiencing a distinct blue-green hue unlike any color observable in the natural world or within the conventional color spectrum. The research, detailed in the journal Science Advances, focused on isolating and activating a single type of cone cell within the retina. Five individuals with typical color vision, including Professor Ren Ng, the lead investigator, took part in this groundbreaking visual experiment.

The ‘Oz’ Device and M-Cone Stimulation

The experiment utilized a sophisticated apparatus named “Oz,” comprising lasers, mirrors, and various optical elements. Researchers specifically targeted and stimulated the M-cones, the cone cells in the retina responsible for detecting green light.

Typically, cone cells function in overlapping groups, enabling the perception of blended colors. However, in this instance, scientists selectively activated only the M-cones. This isolated activation generated a unique color signal, one that the human brain does not normally process or perceive.

‘More Saturated Than Reality’: Describing the New Hue

Professor Ng, in an interview, characterized the new color Olo as possessing a saturation level “more intense than any color visible in the real world.” He used an analogy to illustrate the novelty, comparing it to encountering an intensely vibrant shade of pink after a lifetime of only seeing pastel pinks, akin to being introduced to the color red for the first time.

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‘Jaw-Dropping’ Discovery and the Origin of the Name

Professor Ng described the visual experience as “jaw-dropping” and reiterated the color’s “incredible saturation” in a separate discussion. The name ‘Olo’ was chosen to reflect the binary code 010, where the M-cone, represented by ‘1’, becomes the sole activated cone cell in the eye during the experiment.

During the experiment, participants used a digital dial to fine-tune and match the perceived new shade. Consistently, all participants confirmed that the color was utterly distinct from anything they had previously encountered.

Skepticism from Other Experts

Despite the enthusiasm, some experts in the field express caution. Professor John Barbur acknowledged the experiment as a “technological feat” but raised questions about the absolute novelty of the perceived color, noting it might be a highly saturated green.

He suggested that the color is potentially a more saturated variant of green, achievable in individuals with typical red-green color perception only when the M-cones are exclusively stimulated.