Vol.16, No.1, 2016, pp.39–42
UDC  615.46:678.6 617.741-76:678.6

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF NANOPHOTONIC SOFT CONTACT LENSES BASED ON POLY (2-HYDROHZETHIL METHACRYLATE) AND FULLERENES

Aleksandra D. Mitrović1, Vladimir M. Miljković2, Dejana P. Popović3, Djuro Lj. Koruga1

1)University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mech. Engng., Belgrade, Serbia, dkoruga@mas.bg.ac.rs

2)Eindhoven Univ. of Technology, Depart. of Chemical Engng. and Chemistry, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

3)University of Belgrade, Vinča Institute, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

New types of materials for the soft lenses production based on hydrogel poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate), HEMA, and incorporated fullerene, fullerene hydroxylate and fullerene-metformin-hydroxylate are developed. Fullerenes are used because of their good transmission characteristics in ultraviolet, visible and near infrared spectrum. The new nanophotonic materials are synthesized by incorporation of nanomaterials, fullerenes and their derivatives in base (commercial) materials for the soft contact lenses, Soleko SL38TM. In this study mechanical properties of the materials are investigated. Refractive index of the materials is determined. Tests have shown that the characteristics of nanophotonic materials such as refractive index and wettability met the criteria for soft contact lenses as well as the base material, and that the mechanical characteristics are improved compared to the base material. The results are applicable in practice and show that it is possible to develop a new generation of materials for soft contact lenses.

Keywords: hydrogels, soft contact lenses, fullerenes, nanophotonic materials, mechanical properties

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