Our Mission

Not portable sensor, not robots, but we did our best exploring how to make synthetic biology more accessible to the customers as end-user products.

In order to test if delphinidin can be used to make end-user product, we carried out the following experiments. Our lab experiments are not capable of producing large amounts of delphinidin yet, and we purchased food-grade delphinidin powder from specialty suppliers. These are extracted from fruits and plants, and therefore they contain a mixture of color substances. When we pick what powder to buy, we studied the ingredients and colors. All powder we purchased have greater than 80% verified to be delphinidin.

1. Delphinidin dyed contact lens

In the interview with Dr. Ligong Shao, we received the advice that it is promising to satisfy the requirements for the safety, market reception and medical efficacy of our delphinidin-dyed contact lenses, and we were happy to experiment with the viability make this product and investigate possible problems. Therefore we conducted the following experiments:

1.1 Observations

The above image shows our delphinidin-dyed contact lenses. We set 3 colors for 5 concentration gradients and 6 time periods. Among the different molar concentrations, bilberry extract has the darkest color and blueberry extract has the lightest color. In the experimental comparison of three colors with different concentrations, we found that the staining time of 10 min is difficult to make the color attached, and the staining results of 24h and 48h are basically the same.

In the comparison of experimental results of the same time and the same plant extract, we conclude that there is no apparent difference between the results of 2.5mol and 5mol is , and the there is apparent difference between 7.5mol and 10mol.

From the perspective of cost, it can be concluded that the best effect of dyeing bilberry extract in a concentration of 7.5 mol for 24 hours has the best effect and the lowest cost.

The light transmittance of our contact lenses is from 100% to 20%, which means that we can create all shades from colorless to darkest (like sunglasses) by molar concentration and staining time. We have proved the breadth of our contact lens staining range, which can be applied to the vast majority of scenes and meet the needs of the vast number of logarithms.

1.2 Quantitative Coloring Analysis

The light transmittance of contact lenses after 10 min, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h after staining is shown in the figure above. A lower light transmittance indicates deeper staining. Our data shows that anthocyanins can color contact lenses very well.

1.3 Color Fastness

Color fastness should be considered next. Absorbance data were obtained by negative logarithmic conversion of the transmittance data. Let the absorbance data after staining be A__initial, the data after washing (de-coloring) be A__final, A__initial/A__final can define a color fastness data.

It can be seen that the color fastness of mulberry extract is relatively optimal. But all pigments have a color of 20%-50%. This indicates that the problem of color loss does occur. We believe that in the future, we should further test the bioaffinity, irritation and safety of pigments for the cornea, and find ways to improve color fastness.

1.4 Cloth Coloring and De-coloring

For color fastness, we also tested coloring different cloth materials with delphinidin. We intend to dye cloth and make clothes, canvas bags and other related dyeable products. This dye does not cause allergies or some other adverse reactions. Coloring was done by soaking the cloth overnight a high concentration of the delphinidin dye. The next day, the cloth is collected and air-dried. Decoloring was done by water-soaking the cloth overnight. The results showed that the bilberry extracted delphinidin dye can keep the color after washing.

1.5 Safety Considerations

The product is manufactured and experimented entirely in a laboratory setting. Our contact lenses are only used for color fastness experiments and nobody has ever worn the samples. After the experiment, we strictly followed the safety regulations and properly treated the used contact lens test products.

2. Eye Protection Patches (Eye masks)

In our interview with Dr. Dan Ding, we learned a commonly used product, eye protection patches (eye masks). It can contain plant-based medicine. We contacted Good Vision Company, a company with many years of experience and properly licensed in the R&D of eye patch, to try out the idea of mix delphinidin into the eye patch product.

For safety concerns, we do not dare to be careless. We learned from the research and development department of Good Vision Company about quality inspections before the manufacturing. They helped us verified our delphinidin material meet their safety requirement. After production, further safety and quality inspections will be carried out to ensure that all products have no safety problems when they are delivered to customers. Refer to safety page for more details on eye patch safety inspection rules.

The product production of delphinidin eye patch is completed by Good Vision Company, We also combined with the HP interview with Minister Qingli Wang for safety confirmations

We received the product and evaluated the appearance and possible use of it. Its overall appearance is brownish yellow, the taste of menthol is refreshing, the eye patch is wrapped in food-grade tin foil, and the interior has a waterproof layer, so the overall weight is easy to carry. After inspecting this batch of goods, we sealed it into the laboratory refrigerator, everyone wore masks and gloves throughout the process, there was no skin contact, and in the follow-up experiments, we will conduct safety experiments through regular companies and formal processes supervised by the health department.