Graphene used in artificial retinas

19/08/2014| Electronic Components Graphene used in artificial retinas Graphene used in artificial retinas Artificial retinas for the blind are the latest application for graphene, the pure carbon conductive matter which has been dubbed the "miracle material" of the 21st century. Created by a team from Germany's Technical University of Munich (TUM), the retina implants work by converting incident light into electrical impulses, which are then sent to the brain through the optical nerve. The signals are converted into images in the brain, allowing blind people whose optical nerves are still intact, to see. While many researchers have attempted to create retina implants in the past, they have been largely unsuccessful due to the incompatibility of the materials used. "Along with its electronic properties, graphene provides an efficient interface for communication between the retina prosthesis and nerve tissue," explained lead researcher Jose Garrido. The TUM team chose to use graphene because of its biocompatibility, flexibility and chemical durability. The project has won the TUM researchers a place on the EU's €1billion, 10-year Graphene Flagship Programme.