Scientists at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) created smart contact lenses with augmented reality (AR) navigation capabilities through a 3D printer.
Google and other companies have recently started creating smart contact lenses for displays that support augmented reality. Yet there are still a lot of barriers to commercialization due to difficult technological difficulties.
CHENGDU, SICHUAN - MAY 13: A Chinese girl wears blue contact lenses before she attends a selective process of the "Super Girl Voice" TV on May 13, 2006 in Chengdu of Sichuan Province, China. "Super Girl Voice" is an entertainment program produced by Hunan Satellite TV station to find new girl stars. More and more Chinese youth are entering TV entertainment shows in an attempt to become famous and new pop idols.
Lens' Material: Pure Prussian Blue Color
The "Pure Prussian Blue" color, with its high price competitiveness and rapid contrast and transition between colors, is drawing interest as the lens' material for integrating AR with smart contact lenses that can be powered with low power.
However, the manufacturing of sophisticated displays that can represent many types of information was previously constrained since the color was previously coated on the substrate in the form of a film using the electro-plating method, as per the research team's press release.
The accomplishment of KERI-UNIST is that it is a technology that can create augmented reality by utilizing a 3D printer to print tiny patterns on a lens display without needing electricity. The key here is the Meniscus of used ink.
When water droplets are gently squeezed or tugged with a particular pressure, a curved surface without water droplets bursting is generated on the outside wall. This phenomenon is known as the meniscus.
Through the precise movement of the nozzle, Prussian blue crystallization is continually carried out, resulting in the production of micro-patterns.
The study team's ultra-fine (7.2 micrometers) micro-pattern technology can be used to make smart contact lens displays for augmented reality.
The contact lens' primary expected field of use is navigation. AR allows for navigation to be displayed in front of the user's eyes by simply donning the smart contact lens, according to the team.
Read also: Google Acquires MicroLED Startup Raxium as Company Prepares for Its Own Augmented Reality Space
Miniaturization of AR Devices
"Our achievement is a development of 3D printing technology that can print functional micro-patterns on non-planner substrate that can commercialize advanced smart contact lenses to implement AR." Dr. Seol Seung-Kwon's of KERI said in a press release statement.
"It will greatly contribute to the miniaturization and versatility of AR devices."
The researchers anticipate that this achievement will attract significant interest from businesses involved in the fields of batteries and biosensors, both of which require micro-patterning of Prussian blue. As a result, they plan to identify associated demand companies and promote knowledge transfer.
The results of the study were published in the journal Advanced Sciences.
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