The engineered eyeball, a tunable imaging system using soft-matter micro-optics

Light, Science & Applications
S PetschH Zappe

Abstract

We demonstrate a tunable imaging system based on the functionality of the mammalian eye using soft-matter micro-optical components. Inspired by the structure of the eye, as well as by the means through which nature tunes its optical behavior, we show that the technologies of microsystems engineering and micro-optics may be used to realize a technical imaging system whose biomimetic functionality is entirely distinct from that of conventional optics. The engineered eyeball integrates a deformable elastomeric refractive structure whose shape is mechanically controlled through application of strain using liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuators; two forms of tunable iris, one based on optofluidics and the other on LCEs with embedded heaters; a fixed lens arrangement; and a commercial imaging sensor chip. The complete microsystem, optimized to yield optical characteristics close to those of the human eye, represents the first fully functional, soft-matter-based tunable single-aperture eye-like imager.

References

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Apr 29, 2006·Science·Ki-Hun JeongLuke P Lee
Jun 1, 2010·Advanced Materials·Christian OhmRudolf Zentel
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Citations

Jul 21, 2017·PloS One·Elie de Lestrange-AnginieurQiushi Ren
Apr 1, 2020·Optics Express·Yan LiangHongxing Wang
Feb 6, 2020·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·Natalia Ivanova
Dec 28, 2019·Optics Express·Jin-Hui WangQiong-Hua Wang
Feb 9, 2021·Advanced Science·Florian HartmannMartin Kaltenbrunner
Feb 17, 2021·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Jin Woo BaeSang-Youn Kim
Nov 3, 2020·Frontiers in Chemistry·Jiale YongFeng Chen
Apr 1, 2021·Nanotechnology·Simon RegalMarc Ramuz
Feb 13, 2020·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Jia-Ji CaoQi-Dai Chen

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
chip
chips

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