In a move that takes sci - fi tech a step closer to realness , scientist have developed a super - tenuous barrage that could be used to power overbold contact lenses and even agitate up using tears .
saucy contact lenses are not just an object of spy movie fiction ; they ’ve been in the works for a while . research worker have attempted to create lenses for a variety of uses , includingmonitoring glucose levels , potentiallydetecting cancer , and inBlack Mirror - esque fashion , taking photoswith our eyes .
However , an obstacle to their development has been how to power them , in both a safe and convenient way . With existing battery rely on telegram containing metal – unsafe for the naked eye – researchers at Nanyang Technological University Singapore count to the centre itself for more biocompatible inspiration .
" This research begin with a simple question , ” said Lee Seok Woo , lead author of the sketch , in astatement . “ Could get through lens of the eye batteries be recharged with our tears ? There were like illustration for ego - excite batteries , such as those for wearable engineering science that are powered by human diaphoresis . ”
The squad developed a bio - good battery that was 0.5 mm ( 0.02 inch ) thin – about the same thickness as the human cornea . Using tears as their guide , the battery was coated with an enzyme call glucose oxidase , which reacts with the sodium and chloride ion found in tears in a process get it on as decrease . The battery also hold weewee , acting like " circuitry " for electricity to be generated .
“ It trust on just glucose and H2O to generate electrical energy , ” explained Woo , “ both of which are safe to humans and would be less harmful to the surround when dispose , compared to conventional batteries . "
To prove how it might function , the research worker placed the shelling in a simulated eye , using saline solution solution to imitate tears . It successfully power up , having produced a stream of 45 microamperes and a maximum index of 201 microwatts . They also see that it could discharge mogul up to 200 times , only around 100 time less than a distinctive Li - ion battery .
With a start full point that was already enough to power a smart contact crystalline lens , the team has suggested that succeeding body of work will direct to improve the amount of electrical current the battery can develop .
For more smart contact lens developments , keep your eyes skin .
The study is published in the journalNano Energy .
