Smart Contact Lenses with Graphene Coating for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Dehydration Protection

Abstract

Recently, smart contact lenses with electronic circuits have been proposed for various sensor and display applications where the use of flexible and biologically stable electrode materials is essential. Graphene is an atomically thin carbon material with a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice that shows outstanding electrical and mechanical properties as well as excellent biocompatibility. In addition, graphene is capable of protecting eyes from electromagnectic (EM) waves that may cause eye diseases such as cataracts. Here, we report a graphene-based highly conducting contact lens platform that reduces the exposure to EM waves and dehydration. The sheet resistance of the graphene on the contact lens is as low as 593 Omega/sq (+/- 9.3%), which persists in an wet environment. The EM wave shielding function of the graphene-coated contact lens was tested on egg whites exposed to strong EM waves inside a microwave oven. The results show that the EM energy is absorbed by graphene and dissipated in the form of thermal radiation so that the damage on the egg whites can be minimized. We also demonstrated the enhanced dehydration protection effect of the graphene-coated lens by monitoring the change in water evaporation rate from the vial capped with the contact lens. Thus, we believe that the graphene-coated contact lens would provide a healthcare and bionic platform for wearable technologies in the future.