A report in the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering indicates that scientists at Seattle’s Washington University have designed and constructed a new generation contact lens display that can project images in front of the eyes. After successful trials on a rabbit, Washington University scientists say the technology is safe and feasible.
“The technology could allow wearers to read floating texts and emails or augment their sight with computer-generated images, Terminator-style,” wrote BBC News Health reporter Michelle Roberts. However, according to the scientists, there are some wrinkles that must be ironed out, like finding a good power source. Currently, the wirelessly powered contact lens display can work only if it is within centimeters of the wireless battery, wrote Roberts.
As per the description in the Journal, the display consists of an antenna, a 500 × 500 µm2 silicon power harvesting and radio integrated circuit, metal interconnects, insulation layers and a 750 × 750 µm2 transparent sapphire chip containing a custom-designed micro-light emitting diode with peak emission at 475 nm. All integrated onto a contact lens.
Also, as per the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, the display can be powered wirelessly from ~1 m in free space and ~2 cm in vivo on a rabbit. It was tested on live, anesthetized rabbits with no observed adverse effect, the scientists said. In order to extend display capabilities, design and fabrication of micro-Fresnel lenses on a contact lens are presented to move toward a multipixel display that can be worn in the form of a contact lens. Contact lenses with integrated micro-Fresnel lenses were also tested on live rabbits and showed no adverse effect, according to the researchers.
The BBC News quoted lead researcher Professor Babak Parviz, as saying, “Our next goal is to incorporate some predetermined text in the contact lens.” Furthermore, he added, “His team had already overcome a major hurdle to this, which is getting the human eye to focus on an image generated on its surface.”
Normally, one can only see objects clearly if they are held several centimeters away from the eye. Washington University scientists, in collaboration with researchers at Finland’s Aalto University, have now adapted the lenses to shorten the focal distance, according to BBC Health News.
Washington University is not alone in this type of research. BBC News reporter Roberts has also identified another company called Sensimed. This Swiss company has already brought to market a smart contact lens that uses inbuilt computer technology to monitor pressure inside the eye to keep tabs on the eye condition glaucoma, Roberts wrote.
Ashok Bindra is a veteran writer and editor with more than 25 years of editorial experience covering RF/wireless technologies, semiconductors and power electronics. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
