|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13/02/2008
 Email to a friend
|
| |
Electronic displays built into contact lenses could in a few years be providing head up capabilities to both soldiers and motorists
.
Researchers at the University of Washington in the US have succeeded in imprinting an electronic circuit and LEDs on a flexible, biologically safe contact lens.
“Looking through a completed lens, you would see what the display is generating superimposed on the world outside,” explained Babak Parviz, assistant professor of electrical engineering. “This is a very small step toward that goal, but I think it’s extremely promising.”
Drivers could see essential information, such as speed, or an image derived from a fog penetrating infra red camera projected onto the scene in front of them. Games players could be completely immersed in their virtual world without restricting their range of motion. And people on the go could surf the Internet on a screen that only they could see.
The prototype device contains a circuit and red LEDs though it does not yet light up. The lenses were tested on rabbits for up to 20 minutes and the animals showed no adverse effects.
Researchers built the circuits from layers of metal only a few nm thick, and constructed LEDs 1/3 mm across. They then sprinkled the greyish powder of electrical components onto a sheet of flexible plastic. The shape of each component dictated which piece it could attach to, a microfabrication technique known as self-assembly. Capillary forces pulled the pieces into position.
For more information: http://uwnews.washington.edu/ni/article.asp?articleID=39094
|
|
| |
Author
Tom Shelley
|
| |
| |
This material is protected by Findlay Media copyright 2009.
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.
|
| |
|
|
| |
To comment on news stories or blogs you need to complete our 60 second registration process. Once completed this then allows you to download any and all white papers, register for e-zines and access our detailed supplier directory for FREE.
If you are all ready a registered user then enter your e-mail address and login.
You will need to have logged in prior to entering your comments in the boxes provided.
|