Artificial iris regulates itself with light and can be used in implants

Artificial iris uses photoalignment techniques, with liquid crystal molecules adjusting their direction according to the illumination received.

Robotics and biomedicine technologies have reached impressive levels in recent years, which can be very well used in implants of all kinds to help people who have some form of difficulty. Going beyond the most obvious items, such as limb prostheses, scientists at the Tampere University of Technology in Finland have created an artificial iris that can autonomously adjust to light reception.

Using a light-sensitive elastomeric material in the form of a liquid crystal, the group created an object that looks like a contact lens, but is able to “understand” the light that is emitted over it and open or close its capture just as a camera lens does.

Thus, the artificial iris uses photoalignment techniques, with liquid crystal molecules adjusting their direction according to the light received. The idea is that in the near future it can be used as a biomedical device in implants, avoiding the need for some corneal transplants. Just adjust the technology so that it understands more sensitive brightness changes and works smoothly in aqueous environments.