Research Project
10153324
With regard to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Eyewear technologies, a major occupational hazard in high risk occupations such as manufacturing, mining, construction, warehousing, environmental remediation/- cleanup, biomedical cleanup, and in work needing protection against bio-particles, chemical agents and nanomaterials, but one which has received very limited attention to date, is that associated with the worker transitioning from very bright to dark areas; fogging of PPE exacerbates this. The PPE wearer critically needs automated, hands-free light/dark (L/D) and defogging control, while accommodating prescription lenses. Per OSHA/DoL, 5,147 workers were killed on the job in 2017 (3.5/100,000), with 20.7% in construction, a slightly smaller number in indoor/outdoor warehousing; non-fatal injuries are many times this; a significant portion of these are ascribable to L/D transition, fogging and prescription lens issues. Current PPE technologies, e.g., photochromics (needing UV light, not working indoors/in cars), clip-on sunshades, are grossly inadequate; indeed, US Army Public Health Command specifically prohibits photochromics/clip-ons for military personnel; OSHA strongly recommends against them. Other electrochromics (changing color with <5VDC applied voltage), e.g. those based on metal oxides, Conducting Polymers (CPs), LCDs and nanocrystals, have shown poor performance. For defogging, superhydrophilic, surfactant coatings, double- pane polycarbonate, remain inadequate. Thus, an effective eyewear technology, combining electrochromism with good defogging capability and prescription lenses, would eminently address this occupational hazard. Now in very recent prior/ongoing work, this firm has developed, patented a new electrochromics technology, based on unique, matched-dual-polymer CP electrochromics, overcoming drawbacks preventing commercial electrochromic eyewear heretofore. Typical performance: L/D contrast 1% - 70% (vs. air reference); thin (< 0.4 mm), flexible, durable; unique applied-V algorithm yields switching times of <2s L?D, ~instantaneous D?L; automated-function (photosensor-based); very low power (72h with 12 L/D/L switches per h before batteries need recharging; 15 µW/cm2, +/- 3.0 VDC); conforming to ANSI Z87.1-2015, US military (APEL) specifications. We have also developed a unique, active defogging technology. Combining our proven electrochromics/defogging technology with prescription lenses will however require a radical redesign of our current frames/layout. The proposed work will: study 2 different designs for prescription lens incorporation; develop 2 eyewear versions: hermetically-sealed (~biohazard) + non-sealed; develop spectacles/goggles for more, less hazardous workplaces; incorporate voice-activated + humidity-sensor- activated defogging; extensively test/optimize; assess manufacture; finalize commercial partnerships; resulting, <$100 product will be first commercially viable electrochromics + defogging + prescription eyewear, drastically upgrading PPE. Ancillary markets (skiwear, motor sports, bicycling, football, military) may further lower cost.
