Imagine eyewear that enhances your vision, monitors your health and safety, and powers immersive augmented reality experiences. AlphaMicron, a pioneer in wearable technology, is making this a reality. With applications in healthcare and military, this innovation will transform how we interact with the world—and how we protect our most valuable asset: our health.
AlphaMicron’s mission – to solve light control problems with a vertically integrated approach that combines scientific mastery with design expertise – is supported by the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN), which has funded the company’s research and development of Electronically Dimmable Protective Eyewear and helped connect it with key partners, including the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Bowling Green State University, Kent State University, and Miami University.
“OFRN has access to a number of entities that a small company will not have access to,” said Bahman Taheri, CEO of AlphaMicron. “They bring the needed legitimacy to facilitate interactions and open doors we wouldn’t have been able to access otherwise.”
Without the support of OFRN, AlphaMicron’s growth would have been much slower. From the critical bridge funding to invaluable connections, the OFRN network has been integral in helping the company scale. Through their research with AFRL, AlphaMicron honed its capabilities and fine-tuned its product to meet demanding military and healthcare requirements.
For other startups looking to apply for OFRN funding, Taheri offers a piece of advice: “We recommend finding a good strategic partner. OFRN staff do an excellent job connecting you to resources, but at the end of the day, it’s up to the company to be self-reliant and make the most of those connections.”
Breaking New Ground: From Concept to Reality
AlphaMicron’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Their team has overcome numerous challenges, from technical hurdles in product design to understanding the complex requirements of their government partners. Yet, thanks to their collaboration with the AFRL and the mentorship from OFRN, AlphaMicron has made tremendous strides in wearable tech.
Reflecting on the recent OFRN Round 5 funding phase, Taheri highlights a key achievement: “The OFRN program provided us with crucial bridge funding and connected us with government entities, enabling us to take our STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) project and turn it into a product-based solution.”
One of the standout moments for AlphaMicron was the breakthrough in fabricating a doubly curved Liquid Crystal (LC) device—an innovation that allowed the company to submit a successful proposal for the Tactical Applications for Contingency Forces (TACFI) program. Funded by the United States Air Force, this award is accredited for the further advancement of AlphaMicron’s work. This breakthrough positioned the company as a serious player in the rapidly evolving world of augmented reality and wearable technology.
But beyond the tech, AlphaMicron’s smart eyewear has exciting real-world applications—especially in fields like healthcare, safety, and defense. By providing light management that can protect users from intense light or enhance visibility in augmented environments, the technology can save lives and improve performance.
Taheri sees huge potential in how the tech can transform industries: “The ability to control light management is crucial in augmented reality. The most exciting application right now is for AR, where you need to adapt to both indoor and outdoor lighting environments,” he said.
BioVISION: The Next Big Leap
Building on the success of AlphaMicron’s wearable tech innovations, the company is now tackling an exciting new challenge: BioVISION. This project, which recently received the AFRL Midwest 2024 Call 2 award, secured funding to develop eyewear that can monitor fatigue and trauma levels in real-time. It’s an evolution of AlphaMicron’s earlier work, but with an even more ambitious goal: to improve both military and civilian safety.
“BioVISION builds directly on the work we did with AlphaMicron, using the same technology for outdoor and indoor use to develop eyewear that can track user fatigue levels,” said Taheri. "This could revolutionize the way we monitor the health of both soldiers in combat and drivers on the road.”
In particular, the potential military applications are significant. Knowing the fatigue level of a soldier can directly impact their performance and safety. Similarly, in civilian life, BioVISION has the potential to improve road safety by alerting drivers when they are too tired to continue.
Looking Toward the Future of Wearable Tech
As wearable technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, AlphaMicron’s innovations stand out, especially in the fields of smart eyewear and augmented reality. Their pioneering work in light management films for AR displays has already made waves in the industry. Recently, a leading AR manufacturer launched a product that uses AlphaMicron’s light-dimming technology, allowing users to seamlessly transition between indoor and outdoor environments without being overwhelmed by bright sunlight.
Taheri sees a bright future ahead: “The future of wearable tech is incredibly exciting. It will enhance the performance of users in ways we’ve never imagined before. To do that, these systems need to function well in both indoor and outdoor environments. That’s where AlphaMicron’s eTint technology comes in—it’s at the forefront of this revolution.”
With the rise of AR, health monitoring, and safety-focused innovations, wearable technology is poised to reshape how we live, work, and play. For AlphaMicron, the journey has just begun. Their work is not only helping improve vision, but could also very well help save lives, improve performance, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in wearable tech.
In collaboration with OFRN, AlphaMicron is set to lead the charge in transforming wearable tech from a niche concept into a cornerstone of our daily lives.
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About Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN)
The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) has the mission to stimulate Ohio’s innovation economy by building statewide university-industry research collaborations that meet the requirements of Ohio’s federal laboratories, resulting in the creation of technologies that drive job growth for the State of Ohio. The OFRN is a program managed by Parallax Advanced Research in collaboration with The Ohio State University and is funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI)
Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects. More information on both organizations can be found at Parallax and OAI websites.
