Alexeev V.L., Cano G.G., Asher S.A.
Glucose Sensing Technologies LLC, US
Keywords: Bragg diffraction, contact lenses, crystalline colloidal arrays, HEMA, poly(ethylene glycol)dimethylmethacrylate 200, polystyrene spheres
We demonstrated the feasibility of making contact lenses from polymerized crystalline colloidal array material to produce beautiful sparkling colors. This material is mainly a poly[HEMA-(ethyleneglycol) 200 dimethacrylate] hydrogel with a crystalline colloidal array (CCA) embedded in it. The CCA material is composed of nanoscopic spheres of polystyrene latex particles dispersed in water. These particles self assemble in an aqueous medium to form a three-dimensional array that efficiently Bragg diffracts visible light producing colors from blue to red depending on interparticle spacing. We used spheres of diameters between 106 to 170 nm. The CCA structure was well preserved within the poly(HEMA) hydrogel giving the contact lens models beautiful sparkling violet, blue, blue-greenish, green and yellow colors. These lens models were fabricated with a transparent central area and a colored annulus that can alter or enhance the natural color of iris. In the second embodiment we fabricated lens models that are made of polymerized crystalline colloidal array diffracting material. Such lenses may be used to filter specific wavelengths of visible light providing the sport enthusiast with better visual perception of small objects like tennis and golf balls.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Technical Proceedings of the 2006 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: May 7, 2006
Pages: 196 - 198
Industry sectors: Medical & Biotech | Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topics: Chemical, Physical & Bio-Sensors, Diagnostics & Bioimaging
ISBN: 0-9767985-7-3