A team from the University of Utah has developed an all-in-one hybrid energy-generation unit designed specifically for eye-based tech. The device combines a flexible silicon solar cell with a device that converts electrolytes within tears into energy. It can reliably supply enough electricity to operate smart contacts and other ocular devices. The system is an exciting development in the realm of smart contact lenses as the field has been held back by a lack of a sustainable power source.
Wednesday, April 3, 2024Researchers have created an ultra-thin battery about 0.2 millimeters thick. Powered by a biocompatible saline solution, the battery is thin enough to fit inside a 0.5-millimeter contact lens. The battery can use the glucose in tears to power up. Its capacity and voltage are currently very low and insufficient for powering data storage or an internet connection.