The ostracod carapace window as a biomimetic basis for development of a novel eye shield.

肌类介形虫是一种小甲壳类动物，体长1至32毫米。它们像虾一样的身体从一边到另一边是扁平的，由一层相对较薄的由两部分组成的壳或“甲壳”保护着，这种壳由多糖甲壳素和蛋白质结合而成，通常还含有钙。外壳的两个阀门通过铰链连接，在保持其刚性的情况下可以开启和关闭。大多数肌足类动物与其他介形虫的区别在于它们发育良好的复眼；有些占据了它们全身大小的三分之一。事实上，它们用虹彩或生物发光的视觉信号来求爱。在一组“Macrocypridina”（长约8毫米）中，甲壳上除了一个直接覆盖眼睛的圆形透明窗口外，颜色浓重，动物可以通过这个窗口看到东西。这些窗户有一些有趣的特性；它们非常薄但很硬，可以防止裂纹的形成和扩展，避免划痕，允许氧气通过，并且看起来可以抵抗表面污染的积累。我们的建议是了解这些介形类窗口特性的生物物理和结构基础，从而在更大的范围内模拟这些结构，以开发适合人类的非常薄、坚硬的隐形眼镜。这些镜片将在军事应用中充当眼罩，但也将有利于治疗普通人群的眼睛相关问题。

Myodocopid ostracods are small crustaceans varying from 1 to 32 mm. Their shrimp-like bodies are flattened from side to side and protected by a relatively thin, two-part shell or "carapace" made from the polysaccharide chitin coupled with proteins, often with the incorporation of calcium. The two valves of the carapace are connected by a hinge, and can open and close while retaining their rigidity. Most myodocopids can be distinguished from other ostracods by their well-developed compound eyes; some occupying a third of their total body size. Indeed, they use visual signals in the form of iridescence or bioluminescence for courtship. In one group - "Macrocypridina" (about 8mm long) - the carapace is heavily pigmented except for a round, clear transparent window directly covering the eye, through which the animal can see. These windows have some interesting properties; they are very thin yet rigid, and prevent crack formation and propagation, avoid scratches, allow oxygen to pass through them, and appear resistant to the buildup of surface contamination. Our proposal is to understand the biophysical and structural basis of the properties of these ostracod windows, and consequently to mimic these structures on a larger scale to develop very thin, hard contact lenses suitable for humans. These lenses will act as eye shields in military applications but will also be beneficial for the treatment of eye-related problems in the general population.