SBIR Phase I: Lens-forming nanocomposites for high strength, clear ophthalmic lenses

该小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将利用纳米颗粒和紫外光固化单体开发纳米复合眼科透镜。目的是将透镜的抗冲击性提高33%，并提高在高温下的模量，保持雾度为1%或更小，同时将折射率设计为大于1.60。紫外线（UV）可固化单体允许更快的聚合，纳米颗粒将用于设计折射率;纳米复合材料将用于设计机械性能。如果成功，该项目的成果将生产更轻的眼镜和具有独特机械性能的材料，以提高镜片的抗冲击性和抗划伤性。申报产品针对重要的眼科市场;它将新材料技术直接推向消费者市场。鉴于使用处方透镜的人数众多，本研究项目的产品可能会产生重大的市场影响。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a nanocomposite ophthalmic lens utilizing nanoparticles and UV curable monomers. The objectives are to increase the impact resistance of the lens by 33% and to improve the modulus at elevated temperatures keeping haze to 1% or less while engineering the refractive index to greater than 1.60. The ultra-violet (UV) curable monomers allow for faster polymerization and the nanoparticles will be used to engineer the refractive index; the nanocomposite will be used to engineer mechanical properties. If successful the outcome of this project will produce lighter eyewear and materials with unique mechanical properties to improve the impact and scratch resistance for lenses. The proposed product addresses a significant ophthalmic market; it takes novel material technology directly to the consumer market. Given the sheer number of people using prescription lens it is likely that the product coming out of this research project will have a significant market impact.