The document describes a biofuel cell contact lens that can harvest energy from tears to power ocular devices. The researchers created a test stand mimicking eye conditions and fabricated a contact lens with silicone and buckypaper electrodes. The biofuel cell produced 3 micro-watts of power but voltage was too low for devices and 80% of current was lost after 4 hours. Future work will focus on increasing voltage and improving the repeatable fabrication process.

1. Biofuel Cells for Portable and Implantable Devices
Sean Jones*, Russ Reid, Bruce Gale
seanjones268@gmail.com
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Utah
RESULTS/DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION
• Problem – Powering ocular devices is
currently done externally, limiting physical
activity and requiring additional
equipment
• Solution – Biofuel cell contact lens that can
harvest energy from tears
METHODS
• Created Test Stand
• Fabricated Contact Lens
• Mimicked human eye conditions by
holding temperature at 35 °C and dropped
tear solution to mimic blinking
• Materials:
• Lens – Silicone Elastomer
• Electrodes – Buckypaper
• Synthetic Tear Solution – PBS,
Glucose, Lactate, Ascorbate,
Urea, and various proteins
• Produced 3 micro-watts of power at 0.2
volts
• 80% of current was lost in first 4 hours
CONCLUSIONS
• Enough power for real ocular devices, such
as a glucose sensor, or an intraocular
pressure sensor, but the voltage is not high
enough.
• Future Research might include ways to
increase voltage such as trying series
formation of the electrodes or a boost
converter
• Fabrication Problems:
• Too many steps done by hand
• Electrodes don’t form well to lens
curvature
• Needs more repeatable process
REFERENCES
• Leonardi, M., et al, 2009. Acta Ophthalmol.
87, 433-437.
• Liao, Y.T., et al, 2012. IEEE J. Solid-State
Circuits 47, 335-344.
• Reid, R.C., et al, 2015. Biosens. Bioelectron.
68, 142-148.
FUTURE WORK
Fabrication Process
Coat Sphere
Cured
Place Electrodes
Trim
Test Setup
Contact Lens
Biofuel Cell
PDMS Eye
Tear Solution
Power Curve
Stability Curve
Improved Lens
Design