Home Advertise Magazine Events NETV Directory
  


Displays on contact lenses
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

Displays on contact lenses.

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 2010.
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.
 
Bookmark this article using:
 
Del.icio.us digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon
 
 
Your comments / feedback
Do you have any comments or feedback on this article? Please contact us by filling in the form below.
NameHide name
Your Email Address
Comments
Send
We may edit your comments and not all entries will be published.
Terms and Conditions

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.

Please enter your email address to login and gain free access to this site.
 
If you are using this site for the first time registration is quick and completely free.
 
Register Now - Register Now


Email Address :  

Remember Me: - If this box is ticked you will be automatically logged in when you return.

Important: To protect your privacy, do not select 'Remember Me' if other users have access to the computer you are using.

 
Related News
BEEAs 2010 shortlist announced
 
Active antenna ic addresses rf ranges up to 790MHz
 
ST boosted by strong auto and industrial sales
 
Students design and race electric drive hybrid cars to enter in 24H24 race
 
UKEA announces second ‘Anti Counterfeiting Forum’
 
 
Related Technology
A tale of two cities - UK Electronics England
 
Flower of Scotland - UK Electronics Scotland
 
In good shape - UK Electronics Overview
 
Making a difference - UK Electronics Skills
 
Reinvigoration in process - UK Electronics Ireland
 
 
Related Products
New IMS prototyping service from PCB-POOL
 
Single board computer
 
Sponsored by RS Components: DesignSpark PCB, a free professional standard PCB design software tool
 
C-band GaN HEMT Amplifiers for satellite applications
 
Extra locking security
 
 
Related Events
Vector GB Conference 2010
 
EMCUK
 
UKEA Anti Counterfeiting Forum