Bayfol® HX films for holographic optical elements
Visual aids become smart data glasses
Covestro's strategic partner META® at Augmented World Expo USA 2021
Holography makes it possible to produce special optical elements with functions that conventional optics with bulky lenses, prisms and apertures cannot offer. The innovative applications that are possible with volume holographic elements will be demonstrated by Meta Materials Inc (META®) company at Augmented World Expo (AWE), which will be held Nov. 9-11 in Santa Clara, California. The company is implementing the holographic elements using Bayfol® HX photopolymer films from Covestro. Bayfol® HX is composed of a transparent base material, a photoreactive layer with customizable properties and a protective top layer.
One particularly sensational application is the possibility of superimposing changing information on the edge of corrective lenses for eyeglasses. This turns ordinary visual aids into smart data glasses. For instance, wearers of data glasses or head-mounted displays can communicate with experts remotely during inspections or service work, while keeping their hands free for work.
META is presenting itself at the show as a one-stop shop for advanced optical components: "We are pleased to present a range of smart applications that can be embedded in correction lenses for augmented reality (AR) glasses," said George Palikaras, president and CEO of META. "Our collaboration with Covestro enables us to offer highly functional, advanced materials and proprietary systems for high-volume production from a single source."
META's one-stop-shop approach, combined with Covestro's Bayfol® HX technology, offers a number of benefits for OEMs. A wide variety of holographic optical solutions can be realized with a wide range of material thicknesses and formats. "The strength of our strategic collaborative effort is based on the versatility of combining Bayfol® HX films with META's ARfusion™ lens casting technology," emphasizes Moritz Winterstein, Head of Growth Ventures Specialty Films at Covestro. The eyeglass lenses, including the volume holographic elements, can be produced in high volumes and cost-effectively - thanks to roll-to-roll coating and deposition technologies as well as state-of-the-art plastic processing. META and Covestro cater to the entire value chain, from optical design and material selection, to mass production and integration.
About Covestro:
With 2020 sales of EUR 10.7 billion, Covestro is among the world’s leading polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. In doing so, Covestro is fully committed to the circular economy. The main industries served are the automotive and transportation industries, construction, furniture and wood processing, as well as electrical, electronics, and household appliances industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. At the end of 2020, Covestro has 33 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Forward-looking statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.