The world has long gotten accustomed to smartphones and smartwatches. From a single-function contraption, these technologies have evolved to become the present multiutility gadgets. The prefix ‘smart’ changed the fundamental definition of these devices. Reinventing existing technologies to spawn smarter alternatives is an ongoing trend. Like the electronic sector, researchers have now turned their sights towards medical aid devices. Allowing a broader view, natural look, and more freedom of movement, it overcomes the limitations posed by traditional spectacles. Contact lenses are a booming commodity in the low-vision aid market.
Amongst a barrage of prototypes introduced, how to add new features stopped being a concern. Instead, ‘how to power these features for practical implementation?’ troubled the inventors. A breakthrough amidst the helplessness was the tear-powered battery by Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. A researcher of the project, Lee Seok Woo, said, “This research began with a simple question: could contact lens batteries be recharged with our tears?” This tiny flexible battery charged by a saline gradient is meant to be fitted on a smart lens. The salinity of the tears and other secretions in our eyes charge these batteries at rest. “Our approach can charge both electrodes of a battery through a unique combination of enzymatic and self-reduction reactions.
Besides the charging mechanism, it relies on just glucose and water to generate electricity, both of which are safe to humans and would be less harmful to the environment when disposed, compared to conventional batteries.” the study team explained. While solving the energy crisis-related problems, the battery also considered the materials’ biocompatibility. A glucose oxidase coating generates current when it reacts with ions in tear, while the absence of metal electrodes prevented any damage caused due to their exposure
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Smart contact lenses merge advanced optic care technologies with several clinical or non-clinical functions. Amidst all the novel ideas, Mojo Vision was the first to produce a functional smart lens. Unveiled in March 2022, this device boasted features like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), health monitoring, connectivity, etc., while supporting low vision with a built-in visual display. Several other companies came up with their prototypes simultaneously. Almost every smartphone feature and more could be packaged in a smart lens. However, the greatest challenge faced by all was integrating a power source.
Gone are the days when contact lenses were limited to purely medical or cosmetic functions. Contact lenses are on their path to being categorized as a smart gadget rather than an eyecare aid. The ingenious idea of a battery charged by tears has yet to reach its full potential. With the dam blocking the advent of smart-optic technology broken, the future is yet to unveil greater innovations.
Joshua Austin joined News Gazzte as a senior editor in 2023. Joshua is an automotive journalist who previously worked as an autonomous vehicle test engineer at Uber. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science, with a specialization in technical writing and journalism. Joshua’s enthusiasm lies in automotive technology and the evolution of transportation. He remains vigilant in tracking the most recent developments in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and other emerging technologies.