Text messages direct to
your contact lens
New technology that will
allow information, such as text messages from a mobile phone, to be projected
onto a contact lens worn in the human eye has been developed by Belgian
researchers.
By Bruno Waterfield,
Brussels12:52PM GMT 07 Dec 2012
Ghent University's centre
of microsystems technology has developed a spherical curved LCD display which
can be embedded in contact lenses and handle projected images using wireless
technology.
"Now that we have
established the basic technology, we can start working towards real
applications, possibly available in only a few years," said Professor
Herbert De Smet.
Unlike previous contact
lens displays, which are limited to a few small pixels to make up an image, the
new technology allows the whole curved surface of the lens to be used.
One application suggested
by the researchers is a "one pixel, fully covered contact lens acting as
adaptable sunglasses".
"This is not science
fiction," said Jelle De Smet, the chief researcher on the project, who
believes commercial applications for the lenses will be available within five
years.
"This will never
replace the cinema screen for films. But for specific applications it may be
interesting to show images such as road directions or projecting text messages
from our smart phones straight to our eye."
The innovation is the
first step towards "fully pixelated contact lens displays" with the
same detail as a television screen.
The lenses could also be
used for medical purposes, for example to control the light transmission toward
the eye's retina in case of a damaged iris.
For cosmetic purposes, the
lens could be used the iris of the eye a tuneable colour, allowing the user to
change it to suit their mood.
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