Bionic Contact Lens May Lead to Overlay Displays

pfman writes "A University of Washington researcher has developed a contact lens including circuitry and a matrix of LEDs. Although not yet a working prototype, this may be a foundation for terminator/robocop style overlay displays in which computer graphics could be superimposed on your normal vision. 'Building the lenses was a challenge because materials that are safe for use in the body, such as the flexible organic materials used in contact lenses, are delicate. Manufacturing electrical circuits, however, involves inorganic materials, scorching temperatures and toxic chemicals. Researchers built the circuits from layers of metal only a few nanometers thick, about one thousandth the width of a human hair, and constructed light-emitting diodes one third of a millimeter across.'" Kotaku notes that this has some obvious gaming implications.

Comments

Re:You can't focus on something that close

[currivan]

My first app would be AdBlock for real life.

Solar cells?

[CarAnalogy]

The researchers hope to power the whole system using a combination of radio-frequency power and solar cells placed on the lens, Parviz said.
"Please stare into laser with remaining eye to recharge lens."

Re:You can't focus on something that close

[Tango42]

Are you familiar with the standard purpose of a contact lens?

Re:Can't it be just on sunglasses?

[wiggles]

I don't want implanted chips or digital display in my body.

Speak for yourself! I'm waiting for the day I can plug my ear into the USB port of my computer and download pr0n straight to my brain.

Re:Two Questions:

[gnick]

Using the body for a return path would make for a highly resistive path to ground and likely a very inefficient circuit. Of course, you can cut the resistance considerably if you're willing to impale yourself with a return probe.

Here's an experiment:
1) Squeeze one of the probes on an ohmmeter between the thumb and fore-finger of one of your hands.
2) Press the other probe against your eye and note the resistance.
3) Now, take the probe you're holding in your hand and jab it into a random location on your body. Note the new resistance.
4) Get back on /. and share your results. Be sure to note both resistances, body part chosen, and approximate depth of penetration.

I'm testing these now

[jam244]

They're pretty neat but if you look at the sun it bur#!2k4#$#$#_#_####[NO EYEBALL FOUND]

Re:Do the Math

[ByteSlicer]

Go ahead, try it! You simply cannot focus that close to your eye.

Warning: do not look at fork with remaining eye!

I can see it now.... the Goatse virus

[Angelwrath]

The Goatse virus for bionic vision.

Re:Um, what?

[GroeFaZ]

Damn it man, you closely dogded a 7-digit UID, and you DARE to try to talk some sense into a 4-digit UID? He knows almost 3 orders of magnitude more than you! I bet those scientists in question don't even HAVE an account on slashdot!

Re:Um, what?

[DarkHelmet]

Sir, that would imply that CmdrTaco is a deity among men. I will not stand for such heresy!