Design and Fabrication of Functional Contact Lenses with Integrated Light Emitting and Photovoltaic Components

Abstract

This dissertation presents progress toward the realization of functional contact lenses. Two primary goals of the functional contact lens project are to create displays for augmented reality and to create sensors to measure biomolecules in tears. First, work on contact lens displays is described, detailing the steps and process optimization required to fabricate fully functional contact lenses and culminating in the wireless activation of a single pixel contact lens display in vivo on a rabbit under general anesthesia. Next, solar cells designed to conform to a sphere for use with contact lens biosensors are described. To measure analytes in the tear film using electrochemical methods, contact lenses would require embedded sensors, electronics, antennas or LEDs for communication, and power sources. Ideally, a contact lens biosensor would be autonomous, provide regular readings, and operate during normal daily activity, thus requiring power continuously. Photovoltaic structures could provide continuous power for autonomous contact lens systems that could store sensor readings and communicate data when occasionally queried.