Shropshire Star

Could 3D-printed bionic eyes let blind people see again?

The prototype is a long way away from being used in humans but scientists have hope.

Published
Bionic eye.

Scientists have designed a 3D-printed “bionic” eye they claim could help restore sight in blind people.

A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota in the US says it has, for the first time, created a prototype eye with built-in light receptors.

Dr Michael McAlpine, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the university, said: “Bionic eyes are usually thought of as science fiction, but now we are closer than ever using a multi-material 3D printer.”

The light receptors, or photodiodes, are made up of semiconducting polymer materials and convert light into electricity.

They are fitted on a hemispherical glass dome that makes up the structure of the eye, which is coated with a base ink made up of silver particles.

According to the team, it takes about an hour to print the eye.

Bionic eye in the making.
(University of Minnesota/YouTube)

The prototype is a long way away from being used in humans but Dr McAlpine said the team was “surprised” by the “25% efficiency in converting the light into electricity”.

He added: “We have a long way to go to routinely print active electronics reliably, but our 3D-printed semiconductors are now starting to show that they could potentially rival the efficiency of semiconducting devices fabricated in microfabrication facilities.”

Dr McAlpine said the next steps are to create a prototype with more efficient light receptors and made using softer material that is comfortable for the human eye.

The research is published in the journal Advanced Materials.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.