Graphene-based Artificial Iris for Active light management in a smart contact lens

Project Information

GAIA

Grant agreement ID: 101158723

DOI

10.3030/101158723

EC signature date 2 April 2024

Start date 1 March 2024

End date 28 February 2027

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 498 375,00

EU contribution

€ 2 498 375,00

Coordinated by

AZALEA VISION
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GAIA (Graphene-based Artificial Iris for Active light management in a smart contact lens)

Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Current standard treatments like surgery, contact lenses or glasses often fall short in fully overcoming certain vision problems. Millions worldwide still face significant vision issues. Smart contact lenses can overcome the limitation of conventional contact lenses or glasses, as they provide additional functionalities to the already existing vision correction. The widespread use of smart contact lenses is limited by the reduced light transmission and high-power consumption of typical materials used as electrodes in microelectronics. GAIA aims to address these shortcomings by introducing a graphene-based artificial iris. The unique properties of graphene, including its flexibility, transparency, and low power requirements, make it an ideal material for advanced eye-related smart applications. GAIA’s primary objective is to develop a next-generation smart contact lens platform with enhanced mechanical reliability, stability, optics, and manufacturing processes for individuals with diverse eye-related medical needs. This involves combining Azalea’s expertise in active light management and electronics in contact lenses with ICN2’s knowledge in flexible graphene electrode fabrication. The project will validate this innovative technology through clinical investigation with real patients. GAIA aims to deliver non-invasive, dynamic solution for conditions such as iris disorders and light sensitivity, potentially improving the quality of life for over 25 million people globally. Successful commercialization will establish Europe as the leader in the smart contact lens market.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

After the first year, the GAIA project has achieved notable technical and scientific progress. Highly transparent (transmission > 90%) and clear (haze < 0.5%) graphene/TAC electrodes have been realized. Alternative graphene growth and transfer processes for TAC were evaluated, and laser patterning of graphene on TAC was successfully achieved (resolution < 50 µm). The design of the artificial iris was updated to incorporate the graphene electrodes and improve the mechanical stability. Initial work on the performance of the artificial iris and the modification of graphene with oxide layers is ongoing. The microcircuitry connecting all the components of the electronic platform has been re-designed to accommodate the changes in the artificial iris design, and the design and manufacturing process of the scleral lenses embedding the electronic platform have been optimized. Preclinical preparation of the clinical investigations has been carried out, including the preparation of a safety verification plan. The first clinical study of the project, an eye-data collection study focusing on corneal irregularities has already stared at University Hospital UZ Antwerp after receiving approval by the Ethical Committee.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The key results achieved so far in the GAIA project ensure the potential of the project to establish Europe as the leader in smart contact lenses. Beyond the technical and technological progress that the project promises, the quality of life of millions of patients with irregular corneas suffering from light sensitivity and very low vision will be improved with a comfortable and adaptable solution to their needs. A non-invasive solution that can adapt to ambient light conditions or specific activities such reading, driving or working in front of a computer, by filtering the light reaching the retina. The realization of highly transparent and potentially flexible electrodes paves the way towards thin and flexible smart contact lenses; certainly beyond the current work on rigid contact lenses for vision correction applications. The global economic savings associated to the treatment of patients with the GAIA lens are estimated at 30-40% by 2040.
The key developments that will ensure the success of the GAIA project and the commercialization of the technology are the integration of the graphene electrodes in the artificial iris, the execution of the clinical trials to obtain regulatory approval, ensuring IP protection, and defining a scalable manufacturing.

Image of a lens prototype on Azalea's CTO and co-founder, Andrés Vásquez Quintero