Adjustable Focus Lenses for Respiratory Projection

A reliable, low-cost, low-power, adjustable, optical-correction technology for the Avon M50 respirator is proposed that is capable of deliveringthe eye relief needed by users needing visual correction with +/ 9 diopter correction in less than 100 ms, while maintaining a wide gaze angle.To achieve the application requirements, a series of freeform GRIN Alvarez lenses will be designed, fabricated, and characterized. The lenseswill be fabricated using inkjet-print additive-manufacturing methods that allow the lenses to be printed simultaneously with the integratedstructural elements, designed to easily integrate into a compact, lightweight, vision-correction system and reliably operate within the physicalconstraints of the mask, while providing users of scopes and night-vision equipment the ability to rapidly don a respirator, adjust its diopteroptical power to accommodate eyeglass prescriptions, then operate tasks efficiently. The prototype vision-correction system will be reliabilityand environmentally tested, and samples will be provided to the Army for evaluation. A detailed, scaled manufacturing plan and cost analysiswill be performed, and it will be shown that the technology can be scaled to high-rate production, quickly and at low cost.