A device is provided that may be operated when implanted within a body, when mounted to a surface of an eye, or when immersed in a fluid or otherwise exposed to a humid environment. The device includes at least one conductor that includes a valve metal. The valve metal is disposed on an external surface of the conductor such that, when the conductor exhibits a positive voltage relative to its environment, the valve metal forms or maintains a self-limiting oxide layer. The device is operated such that the mean voltage of the conductor is positive or zero relative to the environment, e.g., relative to another electrode or other conductor of the device that is in contact with fluid in the environment. Such a device can be operated for a protracted period of time in a humid environment without a hermetic seal disposed between the conductor and the humid environment.

A method for assembling a three-dimensionai optical component from a base body, including providing the base body and loading the base body on a substrate into a printer in a providing step, depositing droplets of printing ink on a first surface of the base body in a first printing step in order to build up an intermediate first pre-structure, depositing droplets of printing ink on a second surface of the base body in a second printing step in order to build up an intermediate second pre-structure, rotating the first pre-structure and arranging the first pre-structure on a support structure in a rearrangement step between the first printing step and the second printing step, wherein the support structure includes a carrier substructure and an extension of the base body rests at least partially on the carrier substructure. The teachings further relate to an assembled optical component and an assembly kit.

A deformable closed-loop multi-layered microelectronic device is provided. A top layer, a bottom layer and a middle layer of the microelectronic device each have at least a first section and a second section pivotable with respect to each other. A pivot is provided to a terminal end of the first section of the middle layer, for allowing the first section to rotate about the pivot. The pivot is vertically sandwiched between and connected to a terminal end of the first section of the top layer and a terminal end of the first section of the bottom layer. The first sections of the bottom layer and the top layer are pivotable in a substantially synchronized manner to deform the bottom layer and the top layer in a substantially synchronized manner.

An electronic device can comprise a first electronic module; a second electronic module; and a hermetic electric interconnect to hermetically couple them. The hermetic electric interconnect can comprise a bottom metal layer; a bottom insulating layer, deposited on the bottom metal layer to insulate the bottom metal layer; an interconnect metal layer, deposited on the bottom insulating layer, and deposited to form a bottom sealing ring; and patterned to form electrical connections between contact pads, and to form a middle sealing ring; a patterned top insulating layer, deposited on the interconnect metal layer to insulate the interconnect metal layer; and patterned to form feedthrough holes; and a top metal layer, deposited on the top insulating layer to start forming contacts by filling the feedthrough holes; and patterned to complete forming contacts through the feedthrough holes, to form a separate barrier layer, and to complete forming the top sealing ring.

A deformable closed-loop multi-layered microelectronic device is provided. A top layer, a bottom layer and a middle layer of the microelectronic device each have at least a first section and a second section pivotable with respect to each other. A pivot is provided to a terminal end of the first section of the middle layer, for allowing the first section to rotate about the pivot. The pivot is vertically sandwiched between and connected to a terminal end of the first section of the top layer and a terminal end of the first section of the bottom layer. The first sections of the bottom layer and the top layer are pivotable in a substantially synchronized manner to deform the bottom layer and the top layer in a substantially synchronized manner.

The disclosure describes an electrowetting contact lens comprising including an electrowetting cell. The cell includes first and second optical windows that form a sealed enclosure. A first electrode is formed on the first optical window, and a second electrode is formed on the second optical window. The first and second electrodes include an electrically conductive layer, and the first electrode includes at least one dielectric layer sandwiched between the relevant optical window and the at least one dielectric layer. Oil and saline layers are positioned in the sealed enclosure so that the oil is in contact with one electrode and the saline is in contact with the other electrode. A protective coating encloses the electrowetting cell, and a contact lens material encloses the sealing material. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

A contact lens structure provides adequate corneal oxygenation while accommodating a relatively thick core with electronic devices. In one approach, an oxygen collection stratum, such as a gas-permeable outer layer coupled with an underlying air gap, collects oxygen from the ambient air. On the cornea-side, an oxygen distribution stratum, such as a gas-permeable inner layer coupled with an overlying air gap, provides distribution of oxygen to the cornea. The two strata are connected via a network of oxygen pathways, such as air shafts through the relatively impermeable core. Thus, the oxygen collection stratum collects oxygen over a portion of the outer surface of the contact lens, which is transmitted through most of the thickness of the contact lens via the oxygen pathways to the oxygen distribution stratum, where the oxygen is distributed to the cornea of the wearer.

An electronic device can comprise a first electronic module; a second electronic module; and a hermetic electric interconnect to hermetically couple them. The hermetic electric interconnect can comprise a bottom metal layer; a bottom insulating layer, deposited on the bottom metal layer to insulate the bottom metal layer; an interconnect metal layer, deposited on the bottom insulating layer, and deposited to form a bottom sealing ring; and patterned to form electrical connections between contact pads, and to form a middle sealing ring; a patterned top insulating layer, deposited on the interconnect metal layer to insulate the interconnect metal layer; and patterned to form feedthrough holes; and a top metal layer, deposited on the top insulating layer to start forming contacts by filling the feedthrough holes; and patterned to complete forming contacts through the feedthrough holes, to form a separate barrier layer, and to complete forming the top sealing ring.

A biocompatible electronic device incorporating a point-of-use-activated microbattery, the biocompatible electronic device comprising: a housing; a sealed control electronics chamber formed within the housing; control electronics contained within the sealed control electronics chamber for controlling the operation of the biocompatible electronic device; a sealed electrode chamber formed within the housing; a plurality of electrodes contained within the sealed electrode chamber and connected to the control electronics; an access port formed within the housing for providing fluid access to the interior of the sealed electrode chamber; and a removable tab for selectively sealing the access port; such that, upon removal of the removable tab, a contacting fluid can contact the electrodes and act as an electrolyte for activating the microbattery, whereby to enable the microbattery to power the control electronics for the biocompatible electronic device.

A contact lens structure provides adequate corneal oxygenation while accommodating a relatively thick core with electronic devices. In one approach, an oxygen collection stratum, such as a gas-permeable outer layer coupled with an underlying air gap, collects oxygen from the ambient air. On the cornea-side, an oxygen distribution stratum, such as a gas-permeable inner layer coupled with an overlying air gap, provides distribution of oxygen to the cornea. The two strata are connected via a network of oxygen pathways, such as air shafts through the relatively impermeable core. Thus, the oxygen collection stratum collects oxygen over a portion of the outer surface of the contact lens, which is transmitted through most of the thickness of the contact lens via the oxygen pathways to the oxygen distribution stratum, where the oxygen is distributed to the cornea of the wearer.