Research Data Leeds Repository

Graphene electrodes for adaptive liquid crystal contact lenses

Kaur, Sarabjot and Gleeson, Helen (2016) Graphene electrodes for adaptive liquid crystal contact lenses. University of Leeds. [Dataset] https://doi.org/10.5518/27

Dataset description

The unique feature of graphene is that its superlatives cover a whole range of properties: electrical, chemical, mechanical, thermal and others. Each of such special properties earn graphene a place in current or future applications. However, the full potential of this material is realised when a number of its superlatives are used simultaneously in combination, which would allow one to create novel, unique applications, where no other material could be utilised. Here we demonstrate one such application – adaptive contact lenses based on liquid crystals, where simultaneously the high electrical conductivity, transparency, flexibility and elasticity of graphene are being utilised. In our devices graphene is used as a transparent conductive coating on flexible, curved PMMA substrates, which sandwich liquid crystal material. Voltage, applied to the graphene electrode, leads to switching of the planar aligned liquid crystal, changing the refractive index, thus modifying the optical power of the contact lens. Our adaptive lenses provide a +0.7 D change in optical power with an applied voltage of 7.1 V_rms - perfect to correct presbyopia, the age-related condition that limits the near-focus ability of 100% of the population over the age of fifty.

Keywords:

graphene, liquid crystal, contact lens

Subjects:

F000 - Physical sciences > F300 - Physics

Divisions:

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences > School of Physics and Astronomy

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