Project description
A closer look at smart contact lenses
Millions of people with iris disorders face challenges in managing light intensity and visual acuity, significantly impacting their quality of life. While smart contact lenses offer promising solutions, existing technologies fall short. The EU-funded GAIA project aims to revolutionise smart contact lenses by introducing a graphene-based artificial iris. Graphene’s unmatched properties, such as mechanical robustness, high transparency, and reduced ionic interference, make it ideal for eye-related applications. With advancements in graphene microfabrication, GAIA will deliver ultra-flexible, low-power lenses that autonomously adjust pupil size, enhancing vision and improving lives for millions globally.
Objective
Smart contact lenses have the potential to address multiple medical unmet needs, such as vision correction, diagnosis of eye disorders and monitoring of biomarkers. For instance, liquid crystal (LC) cells controlled by smart electronics and embedded inside contact lenses can autonomously control light intensity and visual acuity for patients suffering iris disorders. However, a couple of technological challenges remain unresolved before patient validation. The properties of LC cells are not optimal when using standard materials such as PEDOT:PSS and ITO. The former reduces the transmittance while the sheet resistance of the latter is greatly affected by thermoforming steps. In addition, LC ionic currents need to be reduced to favour power consumption. The GAIA project will address these limitations by introducing a graphene-based artificial iris. The unique combination of properties of graphene, i.e. mechanical robustness, high transmittance and lower ionic introduction, make it an ideal material for eye-related smart applications.
We will combine the artificial iris management technology based on LC cells already developed by Azalea with the graphene microfabrication techniques developed by ICN2 to deliver medical optical systems with ultra-low power consumption, and unprecedented transparency and flexibility. The graphene artificial iris will autonomously change the size of the pupil to control the depth of field, visual acuity and improve the quality of life of millions of people. Our consortium brings together all the key expertise to achieve the project goals. Azalea is an SME with expertise in active light management, stretchable electronics and electronics integration in contact lenses, while ICN2 is a top academic research centre with unique knowledge in flexible graphene electrodes fabrication. Together, we will develop and validate the next generation of smart contact lenses to bring a revolutionary product to the market to solve unmet medical needs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-TRANSITION-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9052 GAND
Belgium
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.