Imagine a contact lens that acts like a camera lens, automatically adjusting how much light enters your eye. It uses a super-thin, transparent layer of graphene to act as a digital iris. This helps people who are overly sensitive to light or have eye disorders see more clearly without needing surgery.
Standard vision treatments fail to address dynamic light sensitivity and iris disorders. Existing smart lens materials are either too opaque or consume too much power to be viable for patients.
A smart contact lens platform featuring graphene electrodes with >90% transparency and a redesigned microcircuitry for an artificial iris.
If you are a specialist eye clinic dealing with patients who have iris disorders—this project developed a graphene-based artificial iris that provides a non-invasive, dynamic solution to improve quality of life for over 25 million people globally.
If you are a contact lens manufacturer dealing with the high power consumption and low transparency of standard electrodes—this project developed graphene electrodes with over 90% transmission and ultra-low power requirements.
If you are a smart health device startup dealing with the fragility of electronics in wearable lenses—this project developed a platform with enhanced mechanical reliability and stretchable electronics for medical optical systems.
Based on available project data, the specific unit cost or retail price is not mentioned; however, the EU contribution for development is EUR 2,498,375.
The project focuses on optimizing manufacturing processes and has already achieved laser patterning of graphene with resolution under 50 µm, suggesting a path toward scalable microfabrication.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not provided, but the technology is developed by a consortium including an SME (Azalea Vision) and a research center (ICN2).
The project runs from 2024-03-01 to 2027-02-28, with clinical investigation with real patients planned as part of the validation process.
It is designed as a smart contact lens platform that adds active light management functionalities to existing vision correction capabilities.
The consortium is a lean, 2-partner collaboration between Belgium and Spain, balancing industrial agility with academic excellence. With a 50% industry ratio, the project is led by Azalea Vision (an SME), ensuring a commercial focus, while ICN2 provides the high-end research capabilities needed for graphene microfabrication.
Contact Azalea Vision in Belgium for partnership opportunities regarding active light management in lenses.
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for graphene-based medical electrodes.
