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Bionic contact lens 'to project emails before eyes' | Bionic contact lens 'to project emails before eyes' |
(about 14 hours later) | |
By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News | By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News |
A new generation of contact lenses that project images in front of the eyes is a step closer after successful animal trials, say scientists. | A new generation of contact lenses that project images in front of the eyes is a step closer after successful animal trials, say scientists. |
The technology could allow wearers to read floating texts and emails or augment their sight with computer-generated images, Terminator-syle. | The technology could allow wearers to read floating texts and emails or augment their sight with computer-generated images, Terminator-syle. |
Early tests show the device is safe and feasible, says the University of Washington in Seattle. | |
But there are still wrinkles to iron out, like finding a good power source. | But there are still wrinkles to iron out, like finding a good power source. |
Currently, their crude prototype device can only work if it is within centimetres of the wireless battery. | Currently, their crude prototype device can only work if it is within centimetres of the wireless battery. |
And its microcircuitry is only enough for one light-emitting diode, reports the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering. | And its microcircuitry is only enough for one light-emitting diode, reports the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering. |
But now that initial safety tests in rabbits have gone well, with no obvious adverse effects, the researchers have renewed faith about the device's possibilities. | But now that initial safety tests in rabbits have gone well, with no obvious adverse effects, the researchers have renewed faith about the device's possibilities. |
They envisage hundreds more pixels could be embedded in the flexible lens to produce complex holographic images. | They envisage hundreds more pixels could be embedded in the flexible lens to produce complex holographic images. |
For example, drivers could wear them to see journey directions or their vehicle's speed projected onto the windscreen. | For example, drivers could wear them to see journey directions or their vehicle's speed projected onto the windscreen. |
Similarly, the lenses could take the virtual world of video gaming to a new level. | Similarly, the lenses could take the virtual world of video gaming to a new level. |
They could also provide up-to-date medical information like blood sugar levels by linking to biosensors in the wearer's body. | They could also provide up-to-date medical information like blood sugar levels by linking to biosensors in the wearer's body. |
Delicate materials | Delicate materials |
Lead researcher Professor Babak Parviz said: "Our next goal is to incorporate some predetermined text in the contact lens." | Lead researcher Professor Babak Parviz said: "Our next goal is to incorporate some predetermined text in the contact lens." |
He said 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. | He said 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, we can only see objects clearly if they are held several centimetres away from the eye. | Normally, we can only see objects clearly if they are held several centimetres away from the eye. |
The scientists, working with colleagues at Aalto University in Finland, have now adapted the lenses to shorten the focal distance. | The scientists, working with colleagues at Aalto University in Finland, have now adapted the lenses to shorten the focal distance. |
Building the end product was a challenge because materials used to make conventional contact lenses are delicate. | Building the end product was a challenge because materials used to make conventional contact lenses are delicate. |
Manufacturing electrical circuits, however, involves inorganic materials, scorching temperatures and toxic chemicals. Researchers built the circuits from layers of metal only a few nanometres thick, about one thousandth the width of a human hair, and constructed light-emitting diodes measuring one third of a millimetre across. | Manufacturing electrical circuits, however, involves inorganic materials, scorching temperatures and toxic chemicals. Researchers built the circuits from layers of metal only a few nanometres thick, about one thousandth the width of a human hair, and constructed light-emitting diodes measuring one third of a millimetre across. |
Dr Parviz and his team are not the only scientists working on this type of technology. | Dr Parviz and his team are not the only scientists working on this type of technology. |
A Swiss company called Sensimed 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. | A Swiss company called Sensimed 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. |