Curved LCD display can be embedded in contact lenses

The first step toward fully pixilated contact lens displays, this achievement is claimed to have potential applications in the medical and cosmetic sectors.

According to a statement, imec’s display overcomes the limitations of LED-based contact lens displays, which are limited to a few small pixels, as the LCD-based technology allows the use of the entire display surface.

By adapting the patterning process of the conductive layer, this technology enables applications with a broad range of pixel number and sizes, such as a one-pixel, fully covered contact lens acting as adaptable sunglasses, or a highly pixilated contact lens display.

The first prototype (pictured above) contains a patterned dollar sign, depicting the many cartoons that feature people or figures with dollars in their eyes.

It can only display rudimentary patterns, similar to an electronic pocket calculator. In the future, the researchers envision fully autonomous electronic contact lenses embedded with this display.