The “Bionic” Contact Lens: A Look into the Future
Group 2
Jonathan Danforth, Lindsay Young, Dillon Smith
Key Words: Personal Displays, LED displays, Virtual
Technology
Developers are in the early stages of creating a contact lens embedded with microscopic electronic circuits that, in the future, could contain bits of information that may change the way humans see the world, or at least what they see along with their environment. Although these so called “bionic” contact lenses could have endless possibilities on what information they contain and technological advancement, the initial lens is expected to offer low quality clarity and be limited to basic types of services. Examples of potential advancements include having directions to locations superimposed in a persons vision so that drivers would be able to keep their eyes on the road, workers could bring up information to help with on-the-job instructions, as well aiding the visually impaired. “Bionic” contact lenses would create an avenue to allow businesses to keep information with their employees at all times and permit them to work in a much a faster timeframe.
In theory, the “Bionic Eye” will create a tiny personal display, superimposed on the wearer’s normal vision, allowing them access to an unlimited supply of information. Examples of such technology include movie characters like the Terminator, who was able to zoom in to far off distances, pull up useful information into his field of view, and even create virtual crosshairs. Despite the fact that it will not grant a person super human powers, there are numerous advantages at hand if developers are able to create a fully functional product. Drivers and pilots could obtain directions, weather reports, or vehicle condition status overlaid on their normal vision to avoid taking their eyes off the road in front of them. Video game companies could use the technology to create a virtual world where players could immerse themselves without restricting motion. For the busy travelers, or anyone else on the go, people could surf the Internet on a virtual display only visible to the wearer. A “Bionic Eye” could also be fitted with sensors to monitor the wearer’s biological conditions, ranging from cholesterol level and heart rate to the presence of viruses and bacteria; all the while transmitting the information wirelessly to a computer. In the long run, if successful initially, developers see the possibility of fitting miniature cameras in the lens allowing clear view of something far away or to zoom in on something more closely. The possibilities are endless and only constrained by our imagination.
Researchers at the University of Washington, led by Babak Parviz, assistant professor of electrical engineering, were experimenting on incorporating micron-scale devices onto unconventional substrates, supporting material on which circuits are formed or fabricated, including plastics. Parviz states that if you look at the structure of a contact lens, it is simply a polymer that does vision correction, and it was then that the group saw the opportunity to integrate their devices with a contact lens. He also added that much of the micro technology that would be needed to fit on a contact lens is already available when looking at the semi-conductor industry and what is already developed in opto-electronics. Parviz imagines a continuous list of capabilities presented by having a “supercharged contact lens” and the opportunities for advancement growing exponentially. The group’s findings were presented at the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers international conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems and were warmly greeted by an eager and imaginative crowd in which volunteers were offering themselves to test the product now. But Parviz warns that his group has only just demonstrated that producing such a product is possible and that it appears safe to wear when tested on a rabbit. As it stands now, there is not a working model and the group is testing various methods to power the electronics.
One drawback that has been mentioned in regards to the nanotechnology required to create the “Bionic Eye” is that although nanomaterials are simply microforms of existing compounds, the results of producing such technology are anything but simple. Carolyn Cairns, a researcher for Consumer Reports magazine, fears that chemicals that are benign on the macro scale can become very toxic at the nano scale. Or they may have the same toxicity, but since they are much smaller, could enter the body in ways that larger particles could not before. (CBC News) However, Parviz claims that he and his team avoid the heat and acidic chemicals of traditional electronic assembly by employing a method of self-assembly. Instead, they used a molecular adhesive force known as capillary action, same method that plants use to soak up water, to allow individual components of the circuitry to attach to its designated position, and lock the pieces into place.
As stated previously, there are numerous possibilities as to what the “Bionic Eye” could be applied towards. Businesses could use the device to send out the same information to multiple employees, affiliates, or other companies, and have it appear, literally, right before their eyes. It would allow for associates to stay connected and on top of key information while on the go or traveling. Other advantages of having personal displays would be to allow viewing of graphs or other statistical charts during board meetings to avoid compiling stacks of papers to handout as references to all attending. Stock brokers would be able to view and compare multiple stocks at the same time no matter where they are, allowing them a chance for complete and up-to-date analysis for what to buy or sell. Doctors and physicians could get real time information on their most needed patients and alerts when something is affecting their bodies. The list could go on and on.
Blair MacIntyre, who heads the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Augmented Environments Lab, says that if Parviz and his group of researchers could construct a working model, that outcome would be “fabulous.” Not involved with the project, MacIntyre works on creating augmented reality, using techniques to overlay visual data using external devices such as headsets. Recently, his lab at Georgia Tech assembled a prototype virtual tour of Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. As visitors move about the grounds, they hear voices tell the stories of the cemetery residents through a special headset and handheld controller. He states that replacing such bulky devices would be easy and that the public would readily adopt such lenses as the “Bionic Eye” if they were useful and unobtrusive, after all, society is already adapting to a variety of mechanical enhancements. “[MacIntyre] never would have imagined five years ago that so many people would be wearing those little Bluetooth headsets.” (National Geographic) Whether or not this is the start of superhuman cyborg creation, like the Terminator, a “Bionic Eye” could still find credible uses in modern day life and throughout all aspects of society.
References
Hickey, Hannah. (Jan 17, 2008) Bionic eyes: Contact lenses with circuits, lights a possible platform for superhuman vision. University Week: News and Features for the University of Washington Community. http://uwnews.org/uweek/uweekarticle.asp?articleID=39100
Jackson, Joab. (Jan 29, 2008) “Bionic” Contact Lens May Create Tiny Personal Displays. National Geographic News. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080129-bionic-eye.html
Metzger, Patrick. (Jan 8, 2007) Nanotechnology: Small science generates big questions. CBC News In Depth: Science. http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/science/nanotechnology.html
Penland, Jack. (Feb 22, 2008) Bionic Contact Lenses. ScienCentral. http://www.sciencentral.com/video/2008/02/22/bionic-contact-lenses/
Staedter, Tracy. (Feb 5, 2008) ‘Bionic Lens’ Adds Computing Power to Sight. Discovery News: Discovery Channel. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/02/05/bionic-contact-lens.html
Multiple Choice Questions