Bionic eyes can help the visually impaired to see
A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota used a 3D printer to create a hemispheric surface on which light-sensing sensors could be placed. This has resulted in a huge step forward in the development of bionic eyes that will assist the visually handicapped in their vision. Dr. Sung Yung Park and his team of researchers In Advanced Materials, the researchers published the findings of their investigation, which was supervised by Michael C. McAlpine.
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The researchers constructed a 3D printer specifically for this purpose, which they used in their experiments. Achieving success in the manufacturing process requires the ability to print electronic devices on curved surfaces, which is the most significant barrier to overcome. In order to achieve this result, silver particles were initially sprayed onto the hemispheric glass surface using an ink containing silver particles.
It is important to note that ink that lands on a curved surface does not run down it, but rather adheres to the place where it lands until it is completely dry. Semiconductor polymer polymers are used to print light receptors on top of the ink, which convert the light to electricity when exposed to it. It takes around one hour to finish the entire manufacturing procedure. The device is capable of converting light into electricity with a 25 percent efficiency.
According to Professor Dr. McAlpine, the research team's leader, it will take some time before 3D printers can be used to manufacture reliable electronic devices. However, the findings suggest that devices made using 3D printers can compete in terms of efficiency with those made in micromanufacturing facilities, according to the findings. As the researchers discovered in their investigation, electronic devices cannot be fabricated on sloping surfaces in micromanufacturing facilities, which is why they conducted their study.
According to the researchers, the next stage is to develop a more energy-efficient gadget that contains more light-receiving cells. Also on the agenda is the development of a method for printing light sensors on soft materials that can be implanted to replace a real eye.
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