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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

An Additive Manufacturing Technique for the Facile and Rapid Fabrication of Hydrogel-based Micromachines with Magnetically Responsive Components

An Additive Manufacturing Technique for the Facile and Rapid Fabrication of Hydrogel-based Micromachines with Magnetically Responsive Components

Published on: July 18, 2018

Microengineered poly(HEMA) hydrogels for wearable contact lens biosensing.

Yihang Chen¹, Shiming Zhang², Qingyu Cui³

¹Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

|October 13, 2020

Summary

Researchers created microchannels in hydrogel contact lenses using 3D printing. This innovation enables smart contact lenses with potential for tear flow and wearable biosensing applications.

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Last Updated: Dec 6, 2025

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Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses

Published on: April 6, 2016

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Engineering
Hydrogel Science
Microfluidics

Background:

Microchannels are crucial for smart contact lens functionality.
Conventional microfabrication methods are incompatible with sensitive hydrogel materials used in commercial contact lenses.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a method for fabricating microchannels in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA)) hydrogels.
To investigate capillary flow behavior within these microchannels under varying hydration levels.
To demonstrate the potential for integrated sensing capabilities in microchannel-containing hydrogels.

Main Methods:

Utilized a three-dimensional (3D) printed mold for microchannel fabrication in poly(HEMA) hydrogels.
Examined capillary flow dynamics across different hydrogel hydration states.
Tested colorimetric pH and electrochemical sodium ion (Na+) sensing functionalities.

Main Results:

Successfully fabricated microchannels within poly(HEMA) hydrogels suitable for contact lenses.
Identified distinct capillary flow regimes influenced by the hydrogel's hydration level.
Demonstrated that peristaltic pressure, mimicking eye blinking, can restore flow in dehydrated channels.
Validated colorimetric pH and electrochemical Na+ sensing within the fabricated microchannels.

Conclusions:

Microengineered poly(HEMA) hydrogels offer a viable platform for advanced contact lens development.
The ability to control fluid flow and integrate sensing opens avenues for novel eye-care and wearable biosensing devices.
This fabrication technique overcomes limitations of traditional methods for creating functional microchannels in commercial hydrogel contact lenses.