Integrated contact lens sensor system based on multifunctional ultrathin MoS(2) transistors

Guo, Shiqi; Wu, Kaijin; Li, Chengpan; Wang, Hao; Sun, Zheng; Xi, Dawei; Zhang, Sheng; Ding, Weiping; Zaghloul, Mona E.; Wang, Changning; Castro, Fernando A.; Yang, Dong; Zhao, Yunlong

Smart contact lenses attract extensive interests due to their capability of directly monitoring physiological and ambient information. However, previous demonstrations usually lacked efficient sensor modalities, facile fabrication process, mechanical stability, or biocompatibility. Here, we demonstrate a flexible approach for fabrication of multifunctional smart contact lenses with an ultrathin MoS(2) transistors-based serpentine mesh sensor system. The integrated sensor systems contain a photodetector for receiving optical information, a glucose sensor for monitoring glucose level directly from tear fluid, and a temperature sensor for diagnosing potential corneal disease. Unlike traditional sensors and circuit chips sandwiched in the lens substrate, this serpentine mesh sensor system can be directly mounted onto the lenses and maintain direct contact with tears, delivering high detection sensitivity, while being mechanically robust and not interfering with either blinking or vision. Furthermore, the in vitro cytotoxicity tests reveal good biocompatibility, thus holding promise as next-generation soft electronics for healthcare and medical applications.