3D-printed smart contact lens with navigation function

Dr. Seol Seung-Kwon’s Good 3D Printing Analysis Staff at KERI and Professor Lim-Doo Jeong’s staff at Ulsan Nationwide Institute of Science and Expertise (UNIST) developed core know-how for good contact lenses that may implement augmented actuality (AR)-based navigation, with a 3D printing course of.

A wise contact lens is a product hooked up to the human eye like a traditional lens that gives varied info. Analysis on these lenses is at the moment centered primarily on diagnosing and treating well being issues. Not too long ago, Google and others are growing good contact lenses for shows that may implement AR. But many obstacles to commercialization exist attributable to a number of technical challenges.

In implementing AR with good contact lenses, electrochromic shows that may be pushed with low energy are obligatory, and a “pure Prussian blue” coloration, with price competitiveness and fast distinction and transition between colours, is attracting consideration because the lens’ materials. Up to now, the colour was coated on the substrate within the type of a movie utilizing the electrical plating methodology, which restricted the manufacturing of superior shows that may specific varied info (letters, numbers, photographs).

The achievement of the KERI-UNIST staff lies in the truth that it’s a know-how that may notice AR by printing micro-patterns on a lens show utilizing a 3D printer with out making use of voltage. The secret’s the meniscus of used ink. This can be a phenomenon wherein a curved floor is fashioned on the outer wall with out water droplets bursting attributable to capillary motion when water droplets are gently pressed or pulled with a sure strain.

Prussian blue is crystallized by means of solvent evaporation within the meniscus fashioned between the micronozzle and the substrate. The meniscus of the acidic-ferric-ferricyanide ink is fashioned on the substrate when the ink-filled micronozzle and substrate are available contact. Heterogeneous crystallization of FeFe(CN)₆ happens on the substrate throughout the meniscus through spontaneous reactions of the precursor ions (Fe³⁺ and Fe(CN)^3-) at room temperature. Concurrently, solvent evaporation happens on the meniscus floor.

When water evaporates from the meniscus, the water molecules and precursor ions transfer towards the meniscus floor by convective circulate, producing a preferential accumulation of the precursor ions within the outer a part of the meniscus. This phenomenon induces the edge-enhanced crystallization of FeFe(CN)₆; that is essential for controlling the components that affect the crystallization of FeFe(CN)₆ within the printing step to acquire uniformly printed PB patterns on a substrate.

As with standard electroplating, the substrate previously needed to be a conductor when voltage was utilized, however an awesome benefit of utilizing the meniscus phenomenon is that there is no such thing as a restriction on what substrate can be utilized as a result of crystallization happens by pure evaporation of the solvent.

By way of the exact motion of the nozzle, the crystallization of Prussian blue is repeatedly carried out, thereby forming micro-patterns. Patterns will be fashioned on each flat surfaces and curved surfaces. The analysis staff’s micro-pattern know-how could be very fantastic (7.2 micrometers), and it may be utilized to good contact lens shows for AR, as the colour is steady and uniform.

The principle anticipated utility space is navigation. Just by sporting a lens, navigation unfolds in entrance of an individual’s eyes by means of AR. Video games resembling the favored “Pokemon Go” may also be loved with good contact lenses, not smartphones.

Dr. Seol Seung-Kwon’s of KERI mentioned, “Our achievement is a improvement of 3D printing know-how that may print practical micro-patterns on non-planner substrate that may commercialize superior good contact lenses to implement AR.” He added, “It would vastly contribute to the miniaturization and flexibility of AR gadgets.”

The associated analysis outcomes had been just lately printed as a canopy article in Superior Science.

The analysis staff believes that this achievement will appeal to a variety of consideration from firms associated to batteries and biosensors that require micro-patterning of Prussian blue in addition to the AR subject, and plans to seek out associated demand firms and promote know-how switch.

Offered by
Nationwide Analysis Council of Science & Expertise