PLASMONIC EYEGLASSES FOR COLOR DEFICIENCY

Rachel Yap, Gabriel Acuña Aguilar, April Perez

DES 40A | Professor Cogdell

Raw Materials

Rachel Yap

Raw Materials Used in the Production of Plasmonic Eyeglasses

Introduction

Imagine a vibrant world made colorful, accessible, and sustainable to all. The Plasmonic Eyeglasses is a well known product used for color blindness correction that allows people with this deficiency to view the world in its beauty. It is interesting to study its potential for sustainability because of its impact on the shift to more inclusive, customisable wear that caters to the wide spectrum of color-deficiency needs. To pursue this path with a focus on positive worldmaking, it is imperative that researchers examine its environmental impact from a life-cycle perspective shows that its raw materials are made with innovative sustainable practices that make durable nanomaterial-based products suitable for long-term use that make it a forerunner among its competitors, despite the negative environmental impacts of these nanomaterials because the switch to sustainable nanomaterials enables the plasmonic glasses to enter a circular life-cycle.

Raw Materials in Manufacturing, Processing, and Formulation

The unique thermal feature of the lens of the plasmonic eyeglasses is its film that is created using a more environmentally friendly and versatile synthesis method. The eyeglass lens base from ZEISS is composed of a glass substrate (secondary material)  created by sputtering deposition involving gold (primary material) and titanium dioxide (secondary material) made of titanium and oxygen elements (primary materials). While various types of lab equipment were used in each study mentioned in this paper, the synthesis of this life-cycle analysis will focus on the composition of the thermal film that allows the lens to “offer a good color filter to improve deuteranomaly colorblindness,” (Roostaei, 2022). The two components of the plasmonic gold nanoparticles (gold NPs) are necessary to create the adhesive that synthesizes gold NPs onto the base lenses: poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDLS) and gold chloride trihydrate (Roostaei, 2022). 

Composition of Lens thermal film: Gold Nanoparticles

The film is generally composed of gold NPs (secondary material) that stem from research developments in nanotechnology and nanomaterials. Historically, coatings are made with toxic, non-renewable petroleum based materials such as VOC. However, gold NPs are made with sustainable natural feedstock-based materials that prevent corrosion. (Singh, 2021). Advantages of this material include: high antimicrobial efficacy, super-adhesive, thermoelectric and photoelectric properties (Rahman, 2017). 

Different approaches of formation can control the functionality of the gold NPs to adjust for a spectrum of color deficiency needs. For instance, UV absorption can be tuned by a chemiluminescent reaction occurs when fusing gold NPs with “potassium periodate−sodium hydroxide−carbonate system undergoes chemiluminescence with three emission bands at 380−390, 430−450, and 490−500 nm, respectively. It was found that the light intensity increased linearly with the concentration of the gold nanoparticles, and the CL intensity increased dramatically when the citrate ions on the nanoparticle surface were replaced by SCN-. The shape, size, and oxidation state of gold nanoparticles after the chemiluminescent reaction were characterized by UV−visible absorption spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS),” (Cui, 2005). Additionally, it is possible to fine-tune gold NPs for more optical properties, such as sensing and imaging on plasmonic materials, using, “sulfur-containing chiral molecules, such as cysteine or glutathione, [to] guide the growth of gold nanoparticles into chiral structures (Nature 2018, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0034-1). The sulfur-containing molecules influence the growth rate of crystal facets within the gold, ultimately producing helicoid twists in the nanoparticles’ structures. The resulting particles are similar in size and can rotate polarized light,” (Gautier, 2009). Gold NPs are versatile and customizable to the user’s optical needs if they have a specific color deficiency, making the plasmonic eyeglasses stand out among its competitors, such as Enchroma and VINO glasses, that have inflexible choices that fail to cover the spectrum of color deficiency needs.

The Synthesized Adhesive: Poly-dimethylsiloxane and Gold chloride trihydrate

Poly-dimethylsiloxane (secondary material) and gold chloride trihydrate (secondary material) are the two central components of the nanoparticle-based film that acts as a glue. The synthesized adhesive is essential to securing the key feature of the plasmonic glasses to the base lens: gold NPs. The chemical formula for poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is CH3[Si(CH3) 2O] nSi(CH3)3 composed of carbon, hydrogen, silicon, and oxygen atomic elements (primary materials) and is characterized by, “Thermal stability, low temperature performance and minimal temperature effect. Good resistance to UV radiation. Excellent release properties and surface activity. High permeability to gases. Good damping behavior, antifriction and lubricity. Hydrophobic and physiological inertness,” (Burnside, 1995). The first component of the adhesive is created by melt-processing, where particles undergo nanocomposite synthesis, a process that consists of two steps: delamination followed by crosslinking. Delamination can be optimized by adding water, before cross-linking, the second step of melt-processing that involves adding tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) SiC8H20O4 (secondary material) made of silicon, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (primary materials) and tin 2-ethylhexanoate C16H30O4Sn (secondary material) made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and tin (primary materials), and casting molds to form PDMS. The resulting material is a nanocomposite with improved thermal ability,  stronger, lighter than conventional polymers, and substantially more stiff, hydrophobic, tensile, and modulus (Burnside, 1995). For instance, the thermal ability of PDMS is demonstrated by its use in Toyota vehicles where the material performed well even with the, “Substantial increase in the heat distortion temperature extending the use of nylon to under-the-hood structural parts in the engine compartment,” (Burnside, 1995). Delamination for other substances is normally difficult because missing parts are common due to lack of availability and stock. However, delamination for PDMS is the, “more versatile and environmentally friendly approach based on direct polymer melt intercalation,” (Burnside, 1995). 

The second component of the adhesive is gold chloride trihydrate, an “organosilicate that is created by exchanging ions between Na+ montmorillonite and dimethyl ditallow ammonium bromide (70, 25, 4, and 1% of Cis, Ci6, Cu, and C12, respectively),” (Burnside, 1995). The chemical formula for old chloride trihydrate is AuCl4H7O3 and is a compound composed of gold, chlorine, hydrogen, and oxygen elements (primary materials) in it.

Particles from the poly(dimethylsiloxane) and commercial organosilicate were agitated to form the adhesive that coats gold NPs on the base lens. The adhesive can be easily used through processing techniques, extrusion, injection molding, and casting to adapt to films, fibers, and blocks. Specifically, the processes involved in creating the components of the adhesive film drive a more environmentally friendly approach that is not common in manufacturing yet.

Distribution and transportation

The eyeglasses are currently a prototype and not available for commercial distribution on the market yet, thus there is no activity in distribution and transportation to trace. There are plans to implement simple, large-scale reproducible, and cost-effective methods based on current research.

Use, Reuse, Maintenance + Recycling

Although there is not a market for these glasses to enter the recycling stage yet, the properties of the adhesive materials increase the durability of the lenses long-term. For instance, in the formation process of PDMS, the delamination phase “is optimized by water additions corresponding to about a monolayer coverage on the surface. The nanocomposites exhibit decreased solvent uptake and increased thermal stability, attributes which make them very attractive for future applications. The increased swelling resistance is attributed to strong reinforcement/matrix interactions and the large surface area attainable by delamination and dispersion of the silicate particles in the polymer matrix,” (Burnside, 1995). This means that they are more likely to be recycled, and less likely to be disposed after single-use due to: dramatically decreased permeability of nanocomposites, increased thermal stability, and hindered outdiffusion of the volatile decomposition products (Burnside, 1995). These characteristics are mainly enabled in the plasmonic glasses by the creation of PDMS as a durable product used to form the essential adhesive.

Waste Management

The environmental impact of plasmonic glasses have not been explored to its full extent, however the nanomaterial-based product is relevant to studies that warn of nanomaterial pollution effects. “PDMS is well-known to decompose into volatile cyclic silicates,” that fall under the umbrella of nanomaterials (Burnside, 1995). As nanocrystals, the contaminant has the potential to increase bioaccumulation as shown in the, “Uptake of nanomaterials [that] has been reported in several aquatic species such as mussels (Petersen et al., 2009), daphnia (Petersen et al., 2009), freshwater algae (Rhiem et al., 2015), and fish (Laux et al., 2018). A previous study found that CeO2 nanomaterials adsorbed to phytoplankton via electrostatic attraction between the pollutant and phytoplankton cell wall and not via active uptake (Bacchetta et al., 2017),” (Rao, 2007) caused by chemical processes that allow nanomaterials to stream into the environment. Nanomaterials pose a risk because of its chemical interactions with the environment, specifically, “the toxicity of metallic nanoparticles such as gold (Au) and silver (Ag) because of their applications in diverse fields,” (Bakshi, 2020). However, the introduction of sustainable nanomaterials allows for remanufacturing into goods, as indicated in Image A, paving a way for nanomaterials to enter a life-cycle moving towards sustainability through circularity.

[ not pictured: circular life-cycle of nanomaterials ]

Image A, (Singh, 2021).

Bibliography

Bakshi, Mandeep Singh. "Impact of nanomaterials on ecosystems: Mechanistic aspects in vivo." Environmental research 182 (2020): 109099.

Burnside, Shelly D., and Emmanuel P. Giannelis. "Synthesis and properties of new poly (dimethylsiloxane) nanocomposites." Chemistry of materials 7.9 (1995): 1597-1600.

Mennig, Martin, et al. Colored coatings on glass based on noble metal colloids. Springer US, 2004.

Chen, Mu Ku, et al. "Principles, functions, and applications of optical meta‐lens." Advanced Optical Materials 9.4 (2021): 2001414.

Cui, Hua, Zhi-Feng Zhang, and Ming-Juan Shi. "Chemiluminescent reactions induced by gold nanoparticles." The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 109.8 (2005): 3099-3103.

Dallos, Joseph. "Contact glasses, the invisible spectacles." Archives of Ophthalmology 15.4 (1936): 617-623.

De la Rosa, G., et al. "Synthesis and production of engineered nanomaterials for laboratory and industrial use." Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials in the Environment. Elsevier, 2019. 3-30.

Gautier, Cyrille, and Thomas Bürgi. "Chiral gold nanoparticles." ChemPhysChem 10.3 (2009): 483-492.

Gómez Robledo, Luis, et al. "Do EnChroma glasses improve color vision for colorblind subjects?." (2018).

Grassie, N., and I. G. Macfarlane. "The thermal degradation of polysiloxanes—I. Poly (dimethylsiloxane)." European polymer journal 14.11 (1978): 875-884.

Kidwai, Mazaahir, Anwar Jahan, and Neeraj Kumar Mishra. "Gold (III) chloride (HAuCl4· 3H2O) in PEG: A new and efficient catalytic system for the synthesis of functionalized spirochromenes." Applied Catalysis A: General 425 (2012): 35-43.

Kuo, Alex CM. "Poly (dimethylsiloxane)." Polymer data handbook 2 (1999).

Lee, Geon-Hui, et al. "Multifunctional materials for implantable and wearable photonic healthcare devices." Nature Reviews Materials 5.2 (2020): 149-165.

Liu, Zhaowei, et al. "Focusing surface plasmons with a plasmonic lens." Nano letters 5.9 (2005): 1726-1729.

Luo, Xiangang. "Engineering optics 2.0: a revolution in optical materials, devices, and systems." Acs Photonics 5.12 (2018): 4724-4738.

Martínez Domingo, Miguel Ángel, et al. "Assessment of VINO filters for correcting redgreen Color Vision Deficiency." (2019).

Plăvănescu, Simona. "Biodegradable composite materials—arboform: a review." Int. J. Mod. Manuf. Technol 6 (2014): 63-84.

Rahman, Obaid ur, et al. "Hyperbranched soya alkyd nanocomposite: a sustainable feedstock-based anticorrosive nanocomposite coatings." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 5.11 (2017): 9725-9734.

Rao, C. N. R., P. J. Thomas, and G. U. Kulkarni. "Nanocrystals." Synthesis, properties and applications. Springer, Berlin (2007)

Roostaei, N., and S. M. Hamidi. "Plasmonic Eyeglasses Based on Gold Nanoparticles for Color Vision Deficiency Management." ACS Applied Nano Materials 5.12 (2022): 18788-18798.

Singh, Santosh B. "Emerging sustainable nanomaterials and their applications in catalysis and corrosion control." Current Nanoscience 17.4 (2021): 540-553.

ENERGY

Gabriel Acuña Aguilar

Plasmonic Eyeglasses: Energy

Plasmonic eyeglasses have recently been introduced into the world of optometry as the science behind them is fairly new. Plasmonics first made an appearance in 1950 as a discovery and then, “plasmonics went through a novel impulsion in mid-1970s when the surface-enhanced Raman scattering was discovered.” (Barbillon, no.9) Within the past decade great strides have been made. For example, the variety in lens production is vast as some are made with dyes, meta surfaces, and in this essay focus, nanocomposites. These factors are important to note as the prime energy source differs in sequence and rate of use. Lenses with the base of gold nanocomposites require a greater variety of prime energy sources and produce a greater result with less environmental impact in the manufacturing stage of its six step life cycle. However, the complete cycle analysis is able to reveal the detrimental effects of materials ending up in the grave rather than the sustainable practice of recycling.

The main component that makes Plasmonic eyeglasses such a marvel relies heavily on the lens. First step into its creation revolves around the raw materials extracted from varying parts of the world. This process requires motion energy to be initiated by the person and mechanical energy with the instruments used to extract the raw materials. In order for the nanocomposites to be used for Plasmonic eyeglasses gold must be extracted from an ore. The gold acts as a protective layer to the nanoparticles which explains it being a crucial ingredient to its functionality. The extraction process for gold often happens with hydraulic mining. This

method applied a highly pressured stream of water aimed at natural sand and gravel banks. “Leaching dissolves the gold out of the ore using a chemical solvent. The most common solvent is cyanide, which must be combined with oxygen in a process known as carbon-in-pulp.” (Harris, para.2) Mechanical energy is a driving force in the processing of gold, along with chemical energy being responsible for pulping. The refinement of gold is imperative for its implementation with the nanocomposites. It is crucial to note the extraction of crude oil needed to ship the Plasmonic eyeglasses as it is a part of its ability to be publicly used. Crude oil is extracted from the inner layers of Earth and is pumped out. Mechanical energy is utilized when giant drilling machines are at work uses up to three thousand HP of power, pulling from the geothermal energy that is naturally harnessed. Kinetic energy is at play as well during the extraction process as a highly pressured stream of air breaks off rock to be tested. The next process carries on with the same energy source. “When the drill hits oil, some of the oil naturally rises from the ground, moving from an area of high pressure to low pressure. This immediate release of oil can be a “gusher,” shooting dozens of meters into the air, one of the most dramatic extraction activities.” (National Geographic, para. 43) Energy is being conducted at every point in the extraction of raw materials. Following the extraction process is the manufacturing of the lens. This process begins with the handlers using motion energy as they prepare for the fabrication of Plasmonic lenses. After, mechanical and thermal energy is introduced when heat treatment is applied to thin gold films. The curing process which uses the traditional oven (autoclave) makes up for a large portion of energy consumption and cost. On average the autoclave oven uses eighty-four kWh per day. First, electrical energy is converted into heat then placed into a vacuum to undergo the process of degassing. After this is completed the lens is “placed on a hot plate, and the PDMS composite was cured with gradual enhancement in

temperature from 50 to 100 °C over 1 h. After 24 h, a thin polymer layer on the glass substrate was completely solidified and stabilized, and thus, a glass substrate covered with a thin polymer layer was achieved.” (Roostaei/Hamidi, 1) Mechanical and thermal energies power the curing process allowing for the nanocomposites on the lens to be kept in place and protected. The second crucial aspect of the glasses is the frame. “Eyeglasses frames are typically made of either metal or a type of plastic called cellulose-acetate. Cellulose acetate is derived from cotton and is flexible and strong.” The production of cellulose acetate requires geothermal energy due to the process of prehydrolysis. The next step is known as soda pulping. The purpose of chemical pulping is to remove a decent amount of lignin so the fibers can then be separated from one another. After this, the bleaching process involves NaClO2 and CH3COOH, allowing chemical energy to occur. Lastly, the cellulose acetate synthesis is set in motion with mixtures of cellulose, acetic anhydride, and iodine. This formula is stirred by an individual using motion energy and is set to a controlled temperature which requires thermal energy.

Moving on to the next phase of the cycle, transportation of goods. The carbon footprint left by the eyeglasses is invasive as many other products produced in the US. The main mode of transportation for this product falls under trucks using distillate fuel. “In 2021, petroleum products accounted for about 90% of the total U.S. transportation sector energy use.”(EIA) The diesel-petroleum based trucks convert the fuel bonds from chemical energy into thermal. The energy ratio currently used is at 1 kwh/ per 3,412 btu. Once the truck has arrived at its destination people begin to unload the goods which require chemical energy to be burned. “The human body runs on only one kind of energy: chemical energy. More specifically, the body can use only one specific form of chemical energy, or fuel, to do biological work – adenosine triphosphate (ATP).” (Memorial Hermann, para.2) On average the human body will produce

twelve kilowatts per hour. To ensure worker safety forklifts are often used for heavy loads. This ventures into mechanical and electrical energy to be expended in the delivery process.

The maintenance of the Plasmonic eyeglasses is in some faucets parallel to traditional eyewear. For example, the metal screws used to connect the frames to serve as a functional aspect relate to traditional glasses. Oftentimes, these screws will be replaced by the owner as certain components whether at a faster rate. This maintenance aspect draws energy sources from three different forms, Chemical, mechanical, and thermal. The melting of metals along with the other tools used to create the screws are being accounted for. Another typical scenario of maintenance falls under the protection of the lens from scratches. There is not much information currently available surrounding the strength of gold nanocomposites on these lenses. The fifth aspect of the cycle revolves around the recycling of materials and the energy it uses throughout the process of breaking down. The chosen recycling method is known as the Turkevich method. It was chosen due to its ability to separate “gold rather than its dissolution and subsequent selective chemical separation, so the method includes physical pretreatment of the pro- cessors to improve recovery, as well as the use of gas traps to eliminate the emission of toxic compounds.” (Cacho, et al, 3) Gravitational energy is being used when the gold trimmings are being separated from the other metals used. This method is used for varying cases and best fits the needs of the lenses currently being researched. However, from a waste management standpoint an environmental consciousness begins to look dismal. All elements used for Plasmonic eyeglasses must be stripped down to their beginning state known as raw materials. Scientifically it is possible to do so, however the lack of cooperation from consumers creates a setback in this ecological benefit. Issues of mass amounts of ecological damage reappear when referring back to the material highlighted earlier, cellulose acetate. “acetate can be doing more harm than good to

the environment there. All the ingredients to make acetate are highly dangerous substances (acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and sulfuric acid). This waste can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly.” (Zenobia, para.22)

Plasmonic Eyeglasses are functional and exceed the environmental standards of past solutions used for CVD. However, overall energy consumption when factoring all components of its life cycle leads to a greater score of energy consumption. All in all, each prospective cycle allows for fluctuation, as seen with extraction compared to transportation and waste management. Extraction of raw materials impacts the non renewable resources such as petroleum and gold. When the energy consumed from the power drills is embedded into this analysis it creates a larger footprint. As for the manufacturing aspect of the Plasmonic eyeglasses, high volumes of energies are being utilized from varying standpoints. Mechanical energy being implemented for the sake of curing the gold needed for the nanoparticles is crucial but uses chemical energy as well. Eléctrical energy finds its way for the degassing process leading to the most pull of differing energies in all the cycles. Transportation is crucial to note as it is an issue of utilizing distillate fuel for production and retrieving of sources. Human chemical energy is also expended as it requires people to navigate the machines emitting carbon into the environment. The recycling process is still being navigated and requires society to pitch into the practices of reusing materials. Waste Management is taking a formula based approach with other possible bonds, cellulose acetate. However, it has not been approved as a safe material to be exposed to which can lead to a decline in sustainable practices. Essentially, the components that are creating a sense of environmental betterment land heavily on the gold nanocomposites being used for niche Plasmonic eyeglasses.

Bibliography RAW MATERIALS:

Barbillon, Grégory. “Plasmonics and Its Applications.” Materials, vol. 12, no. 9, May 2019, p. 1502. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12091502.

How Eyeglass Frame Is Made - Material, Manufacture, Making, History, Used, Dimensions, Industry, Machine, History. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Eyeglass-Frame.html. Accessed 11 Mar. 2023.

“How Gold Works.” HowStuffWorks, 23 Feb. 2009, https://science.howstuffworks.com/gold.htm.

MANUFACTURING:

Xia, Tian, et al. “Electrically Conductive GNP/Epoxy Composites for out-of-Autoclave Thermoset Curing through Joule Heating.” Composites Science and Technology, vol. 164, Aug. 2018, pp. 304–12. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.05.053. CloseDeleteEdit

Roostaei, N., and S. M. Hamidi. “Plasmonic Eyeglasses Based on Gold Nanoparticles for Color Vision Deficiency Management.” ACS Applied Nano Materials, vol. 5, no. 12, Dec. 2022, pp. 18788–98. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.2c04553.

Nanocomposites - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/nanocomposites. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023

Steinhardt, Paul J., et al. “Bond-Orientational Order in Liquids and Glasses.” Physical Review B, vol. 28, no. 2, July 1983, pp. 784–805. APS, https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.28.784.

TRANSPORTATION:

Use of Energy for Transportation - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/use-of-energy/transportation.php. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.

Types of Energy - Knowledge Bank - Solar Schools. https://www.solarschools.net/knowledge-bank/energy/types. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.

“How the Body Uses Energy.” Memorialhermann, 6 June 2019, http://memorialhermann.org/services/specialties/rockets-sports-medicine-institute/sports-nutritio n/how-the-body-uses-energy.
CloseDeleteEdit

RECYCLING:

Su-Gallegos, J.; Magallón- Cacho, L.; Ramírez-Aparicio, J.; Borja-Arco, E. Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles from Gold Coatings Recovered from E-Waste Processors. Materials2022,15,7307. h

Chan, Zenobia. Recycled Eyeglasses Manufacturing - Good for the Environment? https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-testing-and-inspection-blog/recycled-eyeglasses-manufac turing-good-for-the-environment. Accessed 16 Mar. 2023.

WASTE MANAGEMENT:

Pourchez, J., et al. “End-of-Life Incineration of Nanocomposites: New Insights into Nanofiller Partitioning into by-Products and Biological Outcomes of Airborne Emission and Residual Ash.” Environmental Science: Nano, vol. 5, no. 8, Aug. 2018, pp. 1951–64. pubs.rsc.org, https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00420J.

WASTE

April Perez

Research Paper: Waste and Byproducts/Pollution of Plasmonic Glasses 

Introduction

Did you know that there are an estimated 300 million people in the world with color vision deficiency? Color blindness, otherwise known as CVD, color vision deficiency, affects 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women [1]. Being able to see life through color requires accessibility for those affected. Thankfully through innovation, this possibility is now closer than ever. Plasmonic eyeglasses are a well known product used for color vision correction that allows people with this deficiency to view the world in its full color. But looking through these lenses requires an analysis of plasmonic eyeglasses’ sustainability. With every product comes environmental impacts. Through the sustainable analysis of plasmonic eyeglasses, the majority of waste pollution in these glasses comes from the initial metal production seen through raw material acquisition and manufacturing and processing.

Raw Materials Acquisition

It’s important for the sake of the product's longevity in the market, for consumers to understand what they’re supporting, and what this product is contributing to environmental impacts. To begin this analysis, one needs to understand the life cycle process of any product- specifically, the waste and pollution caused throughout the creation of these glasses. The lens for plasmonic eyeglasses are made possible through acquisition of these raw materials: poly-dimethylsiloxane (SYLGARD 184 DOW CORNING, Sigma Aldrich) and HAuCl4·3H2O gold chloride trihydrate (Sigma Aldrich) [2]. These materials are used to synthesize gold nanoparticles onto the chosen nanocomposite plasmonic glasses- thus creating the film for the glasses’ lens. The waste process of poly-dimethylsiloxane requires a process called hydrolysis, a chemical breakdown of this compound through the reaction with water. When getting rid of this reaction, there are three main methods of disposal: landfill, incineration and soil amendment [3]. This reaction can create somewhat of a paste, later affecting sewing systems through its waste cycle. As for gold chloride trihydrate and the gold nanoparticles used to create the film, the disposal process is fairly similar. Like any other metal, disposal of contents needs to end at an approved waste disposal. Usually, this metal will go through hydrolysis in order to break down and be disposed of properly. Overall, the disposal of these two raw materials is harmful to the environment if not disposed properly. Situations that can occur if not done correctly, for example, can affect sewage systems and the environment they are connected to. 

With the combination of poly-dimethylsiloxane and gold chloride trihydrate creating the adhesive that synthesizes the gold nanoparticles, forming the adhesive film needed for lenses, one can look into the materials needed for the stronger, more protective base of the lenses. The base of the eyeglasses used ZEISS brand as the glass substrate where gold and titanium dioxide are used for the sputtering deposition [4]. In order for no leaking of compounds to ensue, the gold is thinly layered onto the glass substrate and left for about four hours, creating a gold-coated glass layer. In order to provide a protective layer to the lenses, a thin layer of titanium dioxide is placed. Through this information, the waste materials of these compounds is similar to that of the adhesive film materials. Given that they are all highly toxic and highly dangerous materials, disposing of them through hazardous waste is only applicable. Because ZEISS brand eyeglasses are used within this process, we can analyze the waste cycle of these glasses. 

ZEISS glasses have implemented lower use of bio-based materials in their products to offer their customers a sustainable and eco-friendly choice in their lenses. Their yearly waste reduction is equal to the weight of 2.5 million plastic bags. Though this isn't the only reduction they have implemented within their company. They are using less water, less energy, and less paper. They do this keeping in mind their contributions to CO2 emissions as a company. ZEISS hopes that by 2025, they will be able to reach CO2 neutrality in all of their global activities [5]. 

Distribution and Transportation

Because this product is currently a prototype and not available for commercial distribution, their contributions to distribution and transportation of a product’s life cycle is not applicable. 

Use, Reuse, Maintenance + Recycling 

Given that this product is still a prototype, their use, reuse, maintenance and recycling is not applicable throughout this product’s  lifecycle. What we can look deeper into is how to better implement this part of the lifecycle in a more sustainable and efficient manner. 

Works Cited 

“About Colour Blindness.” Colour Blind Awareness, 27 Apr. 2022, 

https://www.colourblindawareness.org/colour-blindness/. 

Author links open overlay panelEva F.C. Griessbach 1, et al. “Degradation of 

Polydimethylsiloxane Fluids in the Environment - A Review.” Chemosphere, Pergamon, 11 Mar. 1999, https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0045653598005487?token=0C9A6872BE6780FE80C0BE04687EA2E4E7E5662EC72800584C13713E49D9EF3BB51264B7ED72B77B5C831D8BFA283651&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20230316054753. 

        Chen, Mu Ku, et al. "Principles, functions, and applications of optical meta‐lens." Advanced 

Optical Materials 9.4 (2021): 2001414.

        Dallos, Joseph. "Contact glasses, the invisible spectacles." Archives of Ophthalmology 15.4 (1936): 617-623.

Griessbach, Eva F.C., and R.G. Lehmann. “Degradation of Polydimethylsiloxane Fluids in 

the Environment — a Review.” Chemosphere, vol. 38, no. 6, 1999, pp. 1461–1468., https://doi.org/10.1016/s0045-6535(98)00548-7. 

Gupta, Banshi D., et al. “Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Plasmonic Sensors: A Review.” 

Sensors, vol. 19, no. 16, 2019, p. 3536., https://doi.org/10.3390/s19163536. 

Roostaei, N., and S. M. Hamidi. “Plasmonic Eyeglasses Based on Gold Nanoparticles for 

Color Vision Deficiency Management.” ACS Applied Nano Materials, vol. 5, no. 12, 2022, pp. 18788–18798., https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.2c04553. 

Sendova, Mariana, and José A. Jiménez. “Plasmonic Coupling in Silver Nanocomposite 

Glasses.” The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, vol. 116, no. 33, 2012, pp. 17764–17772., https://doi.org/10.1021/jp304778z. 

“Sustainability and Responsibility with Zeiss Vision Care.” Sustainability and 

Responsibility with ZEISS Vision Care, https://www.zeiss.com/vision-care/us/about-us/sustainability.html#resources. 

Yang, Seung Bo, et al. “Multistep Deposition of Gold Nanoparticles on Single-Walled 

Carbon Nanotubes for High-Performance Transparent Conducting Films.” The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, vol. 116, no. 48, 2012, pp. 25581–25587., https://doi.org/10.1021/jp3080332. 

[1] https://www.colourblindawareness.org/colour-blindness/

[2] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsanm.2c04553

[3]https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0045653598005487?token=0C9A6872BE6780FE80C0BE04687EA2E4E7E5662EC72800584C13713E49D9EF3BB51264B7ED72B77B5C831D8BFA283651&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20230316054753

[5] https://www.zeiss.com/vision-care/us/about-us/sustainability.html#resources