Shape-shifting lens mimics human eye

A shape-shifting lens has been developed that alters its focallength when squeezed by an artificial muscle, rather like the lens in ahuman eye. The muscle, a ring of polymer gel, expands and contracts inresponse to environmental changes, eliminating the need for electronicsto power or control the devices.

"The lensesharness the energy around them to control themselves," says leadresearcher Hongrui Jiang at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, US,where the device has been developed."This would be useful for environments where it's not easy to useelectronics and conditions are not constant." The devices couldsimplify medical imaging equipment and biosensors, he says.

Source: newscientisttech.comAdded: 4 August 2006