The human eye – a device is quite tricky. For example, depending on the level of the surrounding light, our pupils change size, so we can better see in the dark or blinded by bright sunlight. Scientists have long tried to recreate artificially such a mechanism, but nothing worked. However, researchers from Finland figured out how to implement a fully Autonomous diaphragm without use of any sensors and mechanisms. In the future, such artificial iris can be used to treat patients with damaged eyes, but also in robotics.
The idea of the artificial iris belongs to a team of researchers from the Technological University of Tampere, led scientists to ARRI priimagi. They created the aperture has a diameter of 14 millimeters and 12 separate petals. Disc artificial iris is made of liquid crystal material responsive to heat. In its composition the researchers added the red paint, allowing the iris to respond not only to heat but to light. In the dark petals of the diaphragm is curtailed and the pupil is wide, but as soon as they exposed to strong light, the petals unfold, reducing the diameter of the inlet.
In the human eye change the pupil size is a special sphincter – a circular muscle is controlled parasympathetic nervous system. Current artificial iris is not able to change the size of the pupil, protecting people’s eyes from bright light, however, almost depriving human vision in low light. Finnish scientists believe that they can improve his invention, even in the closed state while the diaphragm transmits about 10% of the world. In addition to implantology, artificial iris can be used in robotics and photosensitive cells.
Finnish scientists have created an artificial iris of the eye
Sergey Grey