As wearable technology continues to advance, concerns are growing about the potential health risks that come with it—especially the constant exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from wireless devices.
Now, scientists in Japan have developed a new kind of smart contact lens that not only protects the eyes from radiation but also opens the door to safer and more functional wearables.
Led by Professor Takeo Miyake from Waseda University, the research team has created contact lenses coated with a special material called MXene. MXenes are ultra-thin materials made from metals and carbon or nitrogen, and they’re known for their excellent ability to block electromagnetic radiation.
However, they’ve been difficult to use in the past because they don’t stick well to surfaces and are easily damaged by oxygen.
The team solved this problem with a new method for applying the MXene coating.
They used a wet-transfer process, which allows the material to be carefully layered onto the curved surface of soft contact lenses.
This method not only ensures strong adhesion but also prevents the MXene from oxidizing and losing its effectiveness.
The coated lenses were then tested in the lab and on porcine (pig) eyes. They allowed over 80% of visible light to pass through, meaning they remained clear for vision.
They were also found to be highly conductive, safe for use on the eyes, and protective against dehydration. Most importantly, they showed strong shielding ability—blocking up to 93% of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation.
The lenses were tested using microwave radiation and thermal imaging. Normally, this type of radiation can heat up sensitive tissues like the eyes, but the MXene coating absorbed and redirected the heat.
This meant the eyes were protected from direct heating, a key step in ensuring long-term safety for anyone wearing these lenses regularly.
What makes this breakthrough so exciting is that it combines comfort, clarity, and strong radiation protection in a single product.
As smart contact lenses with built-in electronics become more common, having this level of protection could be crucial for eye health. Professor Miyake emphasized that their simple yet powerful method could be scaled up for commercial use and adapted for other wearable technologies as well.
This innovation represents more than just a safer contact lens—it marks a step forward in how advanced materials like MXene can be integrated into everyday devices.
It could lead to better protection in everything from smart glasses to medical implants, helping to ensure that new tech doesn’t come at the cost of human health.
Source: KSR.
