SCIENTISTS at Case Western Reserve University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the US Naval Research Laboratory and PolymerPlus have discovered a new approach to manufacturing synthetic polymers lenses. With the use of a multi-layer-film co-extrusion technology, the scientists amassed thousands of nanoscale layers that were laminated and formed into GRIN optics, which allows light to bend and refract as it passes through the lens.
According to Michael Ponting, polymer scientist and president of PolymerPlus, the human eye lens are similar to a GRIN lens. “As light passes from the front of the human eye lens to the back, light rays are refracted by varying degrees. It’s a very efficient means of controlling the pathway of light without relying on complicated optics, and one that we attempted to mimic.”
The design of the lens was created by scientists at the University of Granada, Spain, and Advanced Medical Optics but it was not pursued because of the lack of technology to mimic the refraction.
The new method produces lens that slowly changes the refraction index that provides the liberty to amass nanolayered films and thus lead to the manufacture of GRIN lenses.
“Applying naturally occurring material architectures, similar to those found in the layers of butterfly wing scales, human tendons and even in the human eye, multi-layered plastics have enabled discoveries and products with enhanced mechanical strength, novel reflective properties and optics with enhanced power,” Ponting said.
GRIN lenses are said to be useful in the medical field for imaging devices and as implantable lenses.(RJA)
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