Multifunctional High-Power Sources for Smart Contact Lenses

Powering an electrical contact lens is a significant challenge for wearable applications such as augmented reality displays and iontophoretic drug delivery to the eye. Here a hybrid power generation device is developed comprising a wireless power transfer system and a bioabsorbable metal–air primary battery, which provides a multifunctional direct current (DC) and/or alternating current (AC) output. The DC power is generated by Zn loop anode and a bilirubin oxidase (BOD) biocathode in an artificial tear. The Zn-based loop anode is also used as the antenna of a wireless power transfer system that results in high power transfer efficiency of 17.6% at 13.56 MHz. The wireless-powered AC voltage is boosted from 1.5 to 1.5 V + 0.5 V_pp by a DC offset, enabling red light-emitting diode (LED) emission. Furthermore, the hybrid AC and DC offset voltages are boosted to 2.3 V + 0.5 V_pp by a capacitive booster circuit that provides blue LED emission. No hydrogen evolution or pH change is observed in the tear electrolyte. The present hybrid power source can potentially power wearable electronics in body fluids.