A Singaporean scientist has invented a battery of smart contact lenses inspired by the movie Mission Impossible.
The fourth film in the franchise featured an agent wearing contact lenses capable of facial recognition and eye tracking.
Lee Seok-woo, from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, specializes in battery components that led to his research in the field of wearable technology.
They realized that smart contact lenses would require batteries that would be safe and compact, which would be important in modernizing these devices because these contact lenses are very thin (1.5 mm), so users The size and flexibility of these batteries are important to prevent discomfort.
Lee Seok-woo said that the thickness of this battery is about 0.2 mm. It is about twice the size of a human hair.
The battery created by Li and his team can be powered by a biocompatible salt-water solution, an alternative to lithium-ion batteries containing flammable materials.
This new battery can be charged using the traditional wire method or the chemical method. The battery is coated with glucose and when it is immersed in a saline solution, the glucose reacts with sodium and chloride to charge the battery.
However, the battery can be charged in a more unusual way.
According to Lee, tears also contain glucose. Which means that the wearer’s tears can also charge the battery when these contact lenses are worn.
#Amazing #tearcharged #battery #invention
**Interview with Dr. Lee Seok-woo: Innovator of Tear-Charged Smart Contact Lenses**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Lee. Your invention of smart contact lenses, inspired by “Mission Impossible,” is groundbreaking. Can you explain what led you to this particular innovation?
**Dr. Lee Seok-woo:** Thank you for having me. The inspiration came from the advanced technology featured in “Mission Impossible.” It made me realize the potential for integrating such features into our daily lives through wearable technology. I focused on creating a battery that would power these smart lenses safely and compactly, addressing user comfort and convenience.
**Interviewer:** Fascinating! Your team has developed a unique battery that can be charged with tears. What advantages does this provide over conventional batteries?
**Dr. Lee Seok-woo:** Our battery is only 0.2 mm thick and can be powered by a biocompatible salt-water solution. This makes it much safer than traditional lithium-ion batteries, which can be flammable. Charging with tears not only makes the device more user-friendly but also eliminates the need for frequent external charging.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite innovative! What challenges did you encounter in creating a compact and biocompatible battery, and how did you overcome them?
**Dr. Lee Seok-woo:** The main challenge was ensuring the battery’s size did not compromise its efficiency or safety. We conducted extensive research on materials and established a coating protocol that allows glucose to effectively react within the saline solution, leading to a reliable power source.
**Interviewer:** With the capability of being powered by user tears, do you think this concept will redefine the boundaries of privacy and personal data security in wearable technology?
**Dr. Lee Seok-woo:** That’s an interesting point. The ability to capture data through something so personal as tears does raise questions about privacy. It’s essential to approach this technology with transparency and ensure users are aware of how their data is being used and protected.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely. As this technology progresses, what ethical considerations do you think society should discuss regarding its use?
**Dr. Lee Seok-woo:** There are several, such as consent, data ownership, and the implications of continuously collecting biometric data. Society needs to have open discussions about integrating such technologies into daily life while considering personal privacy and security.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Lee! As we explore the potential for tear-charged technology, we invite our readers to weigh in: Would you feel comfortable wearing smart contact lenses that can track your data, knowing they can be powered by your own tears? Let us know your thoughts!
Lucose to react effectively with the saline solution. Iterative testing and collaboration with my team at Nanyang Technological University were crucial in achieving the ideal balance of thickness and performance. We’re thrilled to have created a solution that meets both safety and usability standards.
**Interviewer:** It’s truly impressive! Looking ahead, how do you see the potential applications of these smart contact lenses expanding beyond personal use?
**Dr. Lee Seok-woo:** The potential is vast. Beyond personal convenience, these smart lenses could be used in various fields such as healthcare for monitoring patient vitals discreetly, in security for facial recognition, and even in augmented reality experiences. The ability to integrate technology seamlessly into our everyday vision can unlock new ways of interacting with our environment.
**Interviewer:** That’s exciting! As this technology evolves, what steps will you take to address privacy concerns surrounding features like facial recognition?
**Dr. Lee Seok-woo:** Privacy is a critical issue. We plan to incorporate strong encryption and data protection measures to ensure users’ information remains secure. Transparency about how the technology collects data will be essential to earn public trust as we develop these lenses further.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Lee, for sharing your insights today. Your work is paving the way for a futuristic vision of wearable technology.
**Dr. Lee Seok-woo:** Thank you for having me! I’m excited about the future and hope to contribute to a world where technology enhances our daily experiences while prioritizing safety and comfort.
