OHIO — Photochemical scientists from Bowling Green State University, along with other universities and organizations are working together to take innovation to the next level as they help the U.S. Department of Defense and first responders.
What You Need To Know
- Scientists worked with Alpha Micron to further develop the company’s core liquid crystal technology in eyewear
- They developed a way to enhance and stabilize the materials in the glasses when one is exposed to light of great magnitude
- The eyewear would help to prevent damage to the eyes from things like UV light or laser beams at high altitudes
- The Ohio Federal Research Network gave a $849,000 grant for the project
“Let's assume that you're looking at things and then if there is a laser beam that is in your vision, it's temporarily going to blind you. That is one aspect of it—how one can prevent these types of unwanted exposure," Dr. Jayaraman Sivaguru, a professor of chemistry at Bowling Green State University, said describing the eyewear.
Sivaguru went on to say this is crucial for those who are first responders and military personnel who may encounter issues with high-intensity radiation.
He explained that those using the glasses simply have to press a button. When the button is pressed, the lenses go dark immediately, which blocks the intense light that can temporarily blind or damage the eye.
When asked about the work being done and how it fuels innovation of the future, Dr. Sivaguru said, “You can consider this going to other kinds of film technology that one can use, whether it is a window technology or whether it is for application in defense.”
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article misnamed the Ohio Federal Research Network. The error has been corrected. (May 16, 2023)