Artificial Retinas
January 27, 2015 | Terry Sharrer
In the retina, light stimulates receptor cells that chemically and electrically transmit that stimulation to the optic nerve. Many vision problems follow retina damage, which is why researchers in Israel and England have taken early steps to create an artificial retina “film” from semiconductor nanorods and carbon nanotubes. According to this piece: “The film both absorbs light and stimulates neurons without being connected to any wires or external power sources, standing it apart from silicon-based devices used for the same purpose. It has so far been tested only on light-insensitive retinas from embryonic chicks, but the researchers hope to see the pioneering work soon reach real-world human application.” MORE