An artificially-intelligent cornea with tactile sensation enables sensory expansion and interaction

Abstract

We demonstrate an artificially-intelligent cornea that can assume the functions of the native human cornea such as protection, tactile perception, and light refraction, and possesses sensory expansion and interactive functions. These functions are realized by an artificial corneal reflex arc that is constructed to implement mechanical and light information coding, information processing, and the regulation of transmitted light. Digitally-aligned, long and continuous zinc tin oxide (ZTO) semiconductor fabric patterns were fabricated as the active channels of the artificial synapse, which are non-toxic, heavy-metal-free, low-cost, and ensure superior comprehensive optical properties (transmittance >99.89%, haze <0.36%). Precisely-tuned crystal-phase structures of the ZTO fibers enabled reconfigurable synaptic plasticity, which is applicable to encrypted communication and associative learning. This work suggests new strategies for the tuning of synaptic plasticity and the design of visual neuroprosthetics, and has important implications for the development of neuromorphic electronics and for visual restoration.

A Discolorable Flexible Synaptic Transistor for Wearable Health Monitoring

“…For instance, the EGT-based flexible electronic devices have demonstrated great potential in on-site analysis of human activity such as Parkinson’s disease recognition and real-time cardiac disease diagnosis. , However, due to the lack of intrinsic display functionality in the EGTs, display modules such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are needed to further enable information visualization and exhibition . Indeed, there is a noticeable surge in the interest regarding the advancement of color-changing displays that operate through the electrochemically driven redox process of electrochromic materials . These displays can accomplish alterations in color, transmittance, and reflectivity for content and information display, possessing advantages including high contrast, excellent readability, and low power consumption .…”