Technology Metals in Focus: Liquid Microelectrodes Made of Indium and Gallium Could Restore Vision
Modern ophthalmology is a marvel: laser operations, artificial lenses, and even bionic eyes are possible. Researchers at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, have now developed an artificial retina that adapts optimally to the eye. This is made possible by the special properties of an alloy of indium and gallium.
Eutectic Alloy of Indium and Gallium Does Not Damage the Eye
Gallium has a melting point of 29.76 degrees Celsius, indium one of 156.6 degrees Celsius. However, an alloy of the two metals melts at just 15.7 degrees Celsius. The researchers utilized this property, known as eutectic, by fabricating an artificial retina with liquid, platinum-coated microelectrodes. In their function, the lenses are similar to electronic retinal prostheses, also called bionic eyes. However, these are inflexible and can therefore damage the soft tissue surrounding the retina, which cannot occur with the new development due to the softness of the indium-gallium.
Goal Is a 576 Million Pixel Image
So far, however, the researchers have only tested the lenses on mice. The image generated by the artificial retina is therefore only 36 pixels in size. For a human eye, it would need to be scaled up to 576 million pixels. There is still much research and work to be done.
Gallium Alloys for the Communications Sector and Energy Transition
Alloys with gallium are not only of interest for medical technology. The compound gallium arsenide is indispensable for both the energy transition and the communications sector, to the extent that even Galileo and the FAZ have reported on it. Due to Chinese export controls, the commodity has become significantly scarcer, but Noble BC still has reserves.