Filipino scientists have developed inexpensive, adjustable liquid lenses. These lenses use water droplets on a specially treated surface. The process is simple and affordable.
Researchers coated glass slides with treated PVC plastic. This created a water-repellent surface. Water droplets formed perfect domes, like magnifying glasses. Adding or removing water changes the lens’s magnification.
The technique involves “electrospinning.” This melts PVC in an electric field. The plastic forms tiny fibers on the slide. This makes the surface highly water-repellent.
Tests showed that different-sized droplets acted as lenses with varying focal lengths. Larger droplets had longer focal lengths. Smaller droplets acted like close-up lenses. The laser beam remained clear and undistorted.
This low-cost method has many potential uses. It can aid science education in resource-poor settings. It’s useful for basic optical tools and experiments. Research labs can use it to quickly adjust laser beams.
Future applications include cameras, microscopes, and wearable technology. Further development could lead to portable diagnostic devices. Small projection and lighting systems are also possibilities.
The research team, led by Ateneo de Manila University, published their findings in the May 2025 issue of Results in Optics. The team included researchers from Caraga State University, Pangasinan State University, and the University of the Philippines – Diliman.
