Breakthrough in Smart Eye Wear: MXene-Coated Contact Lenses Offer Radiation Shielding and Next-Gen Wearable Potential
June 4, 2025 — Waseda, Japan
In a major stride toward safer wearable technology, researchers from Waseda University, in collaboration with Kyoto University and Yamaguchi University Hospital, have unveiled a revolutionary type of contact lens: one coated with MXene, a two-dimensional nanomaterial capable of shielding the eye from electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Published in Small Science, the study introduces a novel, oxidation-resistant fabrication method that integrates MXene nanosheets onto soft contact lenses without compromising optical clarity, comfort, or biocompatibility.
Smart contact lenses are poised to become central to next-generation wearables, from continuous health monitoring to augmented reality. However, their proximity to the eye raises growing concerns over EMR exposure and related health risks. Addressing these concerns, Professor Takeo Miyake and his team developed MXene-coated lenses that achieve over 80% visible light transmission, dehydration resistance, and over 90% cell viability—key benchmarks for both functionality and safety.
“Our goal was to develop a practical solution that doesn’t just block radiation but maintains all the traits expected of wearable eye gear,” said Prof. Miyake. “The MXene layer we’ve designed accomplishes that and is scalable for commercial application.”
To ensure flexibility and durability, the research team employed a wet-transfer method. MXene nanosheets were first deposited onto mixed cellulose ester (MCE) membranes via vacuum filtration, then applied to commercial contact lenses using acetone as a transfer medium. This not only ensured tight adhesion but also prevented oxidation of the MXene—a long-standing barrier to their use in wearables.
Testing confirmed the lenses’ effectiveness in blocking EMR. In experiments with porcine eyes exposed to microwave radiation, the lenses showed rapid heat absorption and dissipation, preventing damage to the underlying tissue. The coated lenses achieved up to 93% shielding effectiveness, the highest reported for any biocompatible material of comparable thickness.
Dr. Lunjie Hu, co-author from Waseda, emphasized the real-world applicability of the design: “These lenses aren’t just prototypes. Their design supports the future of wearables, especially in medical and consumer tech applications where safety and performance must go hand-in-hand.”
Beyond shielding, the lenses’ conductive and biocompatible properties suggest potential uses in real-time diagnostics, smart visual aids, and controlled drug delivery. The successful integration of MXene nanosheets without impairing usability or safety opens the door for further integration of nanomaterials in biomedical and IoT-enabled devices.
This research signals a critical leap forward not only in ophthalmic safety but in the larger field of human-machine interface technology.
Contact for more information:
- Graduate School of Information Production and Systems, Waseda University
- Small Science Journal, June 2025 Edition
Research Authors:
- Prof. Takeo Miyake (Waseda University)
- Dr. Lunjie Hu (Waseda University)
- Assoc. Prof. Jun Hirotani (Kyoto University)
- Prof. Kazuhiro Kimura, Asst. Prof. Atsushige Ashimori, Asst. Prof. Saman Azhari (Yamaguchi University Hospital)
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