Zooming lenses

A zooming lens is a pretty old discovery considering that it first came to being in 1920s. It is simply a mechanical assembly of lenses whose focal length can be varied as opposed to a set of lens whose focal length remains constant. A true zoom lens can also be refereed to as a parfocal lens since it maintains focus even in instances when the focal length changes.

Evolving Optics – Robotic Lens

From a huge and heavy set of glasses that relied on manual adjustments to a robotic lens that can be controlled easily by small eye movements, technology is moving swiftly. Present-day lenses are pre-programmed to mimic natural electric signals from the eyeball even when the eye is closed. This technological development has in return given back soft robotics that now runs the modern camera world.

Soft Polymer Lens

Initially, the lens was made from a polymer known as poly(methylmethacrylate). One aspect that made this polymer highly valued in lens production was its hardness. Unfortunately, the old good polymer is not used in lens production. Present-day technology makes use of soft polymers to manufacture soft polymer lens. Usually, Silicone Hydrogel is presently used in the manufacture of contact lens.

More Future Hope

Scientists believe that the advancement of soft robotics could pave way for the invention of a prosthetic eye. This could come in handy considering that the eye is a highly delicate human part that still hasn’t been made in a lab effectively. The study and improvement of zoom lens, adjustable glasses and ultimately visual prostheses could bear fruits in the near future.