Scientists have developed an ultra-thin and safe battery that can be charged with tears, offering a promising solution for powering smart contact lenses. This innovative technology not only meets the energy needs of smart contact lenses but also holds potential benefits for diabetes patients. Here are the details…
Smart Contact Lenses Powered by Tears
We’ve all seen it in movies, especially in the Mission: Impossible series, where the protagonist uses smart contact lenses to receive information. However, due to energy requirements, such devices seemed impractical in the real world. Lee Seok Woo and his team at Nanyang Technological University have developed a solution with batteries that can be charged using tears.
This new battery technology is as thin as a strand of hair and small enough to be embedded in contact lenses. The glucose present in tears powers these batteries. The wetter your eyes, the longer the battery life. And if you cry, just imagine the battery’s charge level. This technology is not only useful for smart contact lenses but also for measuring sugar levels in diabetes patients.
How It Works
The tear-charged batteries work with a biocompatible saline solution. Replacing traditional lithium-ion batteries, this new method is designed for user safety. The battery can be charged both through wired and chemical methods. The chemical method utilizes a reaction between glucose on the battery and sodium and chloride ions in the saline solution. With an 8-hour charge, the battery reaches 80% capacity and provides several hours of usage.
However, researchers are working to increase the battery’s voltage. Current prototypes generate between 0.3V and 0.6V, which is insufficient for features like data storage or internet connectivity. Still, this technology could have other applications, such as non-invasive sugar monitoring.
Future Prospects and Commercial Use
Researchers are now focused on making these batteries suitable for commercial use and reducing their costs. Each battery is designed to cost only a few dollars.
What do you think about this tear-powered battery? How might such innovations become part of our daily lives in the future? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
4o
