Scientists have developed ‘smart glasses’ with liquid-based lenses that flex to refocus on whatever the wearer is viewing.
The glasses, developed by researchers at the University of Utah, are designed to mimic the behaviour of the eye’s natural lens — flexing to focus on wherever an individual is looking: near, far or in-between.
The central technology of the glasses created by the research team are lenses made of glycerin, a clear thick liquid sandwiched between flexible membranes. The lenses are mounted into frames that have an electromechanical system that causes the membranes to bend to adjust their focus. The ability of the lens to flex and bend allows the single lens to act like multiple lenses.
