Electronically Dimmable Eye Protection Devices (EDEPD)

The Department of Defense, NASA, and the industry at large has desired eyewear capable of dynamic response to changing light conditions for decades. Several technologies have been explored, however present offerings still fall short of a fully dynamic system. The current solution for adequate eye protection is to carry multiple sets of goggles, glasses, or helmets with multiple visors. Eye protection that is electronically-dimmable, switching rapidly between normally clear and variable dark transmission states is the desired solution. Advanced Photon Sciences, LLC (APS) is developing a liquid-pixel optical shutter technology to rapidly modulate optical transmission from 85% to 15% throughout the visible spectrum. The objective of Phase 2 is to extend the planar fabrication methods developed under the Phase 1 effort to a spherically compatible lens system and construct a prototype demonstrator. Garnering lessons and techniques developed under the Phase 1 effort, APS has devised a Phase 2 plan to overcome the spherical geometry challenges, demonstrate a spherical dimmable lens system, and will present a roadmap for the large-scale manufacturing of an Electronically Dimmable Eye Protection Device (EDEPD).