Defective metal oxide giant electrostrictors for a new design of polymer-supported fast adaptive optical lens

Just as muscles, electrostrictors are materials capable of changing shape, producing force and movement, in direct response to electrical stimuli. Oxygen defective metal oxides are a new class of electrostrictors with a unique set of electromechanical properties. They can replace toxic lead-based piezoelectrics and other inefficient electrostrictors for a new generation of advanced electronics. The aim of the IRIDE experiment is to synthesise a new nano-engineered optical device that mimics the eye´s functions via inorganic-organic hybrid chemistry, using transparent polymeric materials and oxygen defective metal oxides electrostrictors as electromechanically functional component.