Deep inside the $40 million project to develop next-generation bionic contact lenses, scientists have developed a new material primed to transfer information from a mobile phone directly on to eyeballs.
How humans engage with media could be about to change. As more is understood about the damage of excessive screen time on phones and laptops, biometric solutions are under development to limit the time spent staring at an LED screen.
While a brain-computer interface built by Elon Musk’s Neuralink Corp takes the idea to the extreme – by surgically attaching a neural interface to deliver actions through thought – a simpler biometric device could soon enter the mainstream.
The race is on to build and approve the first working contact lens that could replace most functions of a mobile phone. At Dubai Internet City in the shadow of tech giants Google, Dell and Huawei, the three-year-old start-up Xpanceo is looking to steal a march on its global competitors.
The company is working on developing its own invisible, weightless contact lens. With several prototypes already developed, the company’s latest contact lens is edging closer to human clinical trials within 18 months, which they hope will lead to eventual medical approval.
Its developers promise enhanced ocular powers like night vision, telescopic sight, health monitoring and a real-time media interface, once linked remotely to a small portable device. The company’s founder and managing partner Roman Axelrod said artificial intelligence is allowing tech companies to accelerate product development.
“We are not just a gadget company, we are also a deep tech company,” he said. “And, in order to create a gadget, we don't have anything left but to create our own, new materials. Previously, the components of those materials were selected manually by humans.
"We’ve trained a special AI algorithm that helps our scientists speed up that process.”
Materials of the future
An algorithm tells scientists the exact mix of materials required and in what quantities to allow conductivity through a silicon-like substance. It speeds up the process dramatically, saving what would probably be years of hard work to keep Xpanceo ahead of the curve.
“I would define the current state of the market as the dark ages of XR gadgets,” said Mr Axelrod, referring to devices using augmented and virtual reality. “We all know the next generation of computing is something that appears around you, it is spatial, operated by your eyes, voice or by gestures – and probably later by your mind.”
Tiny, micro-LED displays are the future of vision gadgets that bring high-resolution images with low power consumption, dramatically improving what we can view on wearable devices. It is a global $160 billion industry that is at the crossroads of disruption due to the rapid rate of AI-boosted development.
A key challenge facing scientists is how to create a bright display inside a micro-LED, due to the high current required. The US firm Mojo Vision was one of the first to develop a working "smart contact lens", with Xpanceo close to launching its own model to be tested on humans.
Dr Valentyn Volkov, co-founder of Xpanceo and scientific partner, said the key to success for any future product is in the materials used. “We use a laser-based technology to produce unique, very small nanoparticles that are about a thousand times thinner than a human hair,” he said.
"Those small materials are developed to be introduced into a wearable device in the form of a contact lens. Once we have this new material, we try to create a real working prototype of this tiny device to integrate inside the contact lens.”
A small order
Multiple prototypes have already been developed at the Dubai laboratory, to integrate microscopic technology into wearable lenses that will retain their use for sight correction. The material used is flexible but transparent, and small enough to contain electronic components.
“Once we feed it with an electromagnetic field, you can see it start to deliver images on to a small display integrated in the lens,” said Dr Volkov. “When the wearer is looking through the lens, they are simultaneously getting access to extended reality visual information.”
Device costs are yet to be determined, but Xpanceo expects them to be comparable to that of a phone for an annual supply of replaceable smart lenses. According to market analysts at Precedence Research, the global contact lens market was worth around $16.28 billion in 2023, and forecast to grow significantly to $26.51bn by 2033.
There are only currently only two kinds of smart lenses approved by the FDA, which slow myopia progression in children and darken automatically in sunlight, to reduce glare. Another expert was not convinced the smart lenses would not have a harmful effect on eyesight.
Dr Shaza Aljbaei, an ophthalmologist at Zulekha Hospital, said an over-reliance on smart lenses, if they become available, could pose problems for eye health.
“These futuristic contact lenses with a built-in visual display, or anything that produces display anywhere in the eye's vision, is still some way from being ready for consumers,” she said. “We already know that any prolonged use of contact lenses beyond treatment purposes is not preferred as it could cause multiple issues related to the cornea.”
Eye health
Although technology and gadgets have vastly improved capacity for learning and entertainment, they are taking a physical toll on health. Increased screen time in young people has resulted in a global surge in cases of myopia, a form of eye strain that leads to macular degeneration.
According to a report published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, projected global incidences of myopia are expected to exceed 740 million by 2050, with demand for optical enhancements also increasing. From eye conditions to sleep disruption and myofascial pain that can appear in muscle and shoulder tightness or tension headaches, reliance on visual technologies takes a toll on physical health.
Wearable devices in the form of glasses or contact lenses could help alleviate those issues, said one expert. “There's a lot of potential in this,” said Dr Borja Salvador, a consultant ophthalmologist at Barraquer Eye Hospital in the UAE.
“Smart lenses have been used in research to measure the intraocular pressure in the eye, or to try to measure the blood sugar levels. This sounds like science fiction, but we are developing technology that will probably allow us to have some kind of smart contact lenses that can give us a lot of information on other parts of our life.
“We need to limit the number of hours that we're spending on the computer, the screen, or the phone, because this will definitely induce an increase in myopia. Contact lenses are not in general recommended for young ages, unless there's a medical reason, and if so should always be under the guidance of an ophthalmologist or optometrist to avoid problems."
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Pots for the Asian Qualifiers
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
SPECS
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Results:
5pm: Baynunah Conditions (UAE bred) Dh80,000 1,400m.
Winner: Al Tiryaq, Dane O’Neill (jockey), Abdullah Al Hammadi (trainer).
5.30pm: Al Zahra Handicap (rated 0-45) Dh 80,000 1,400m:
Winner: Fahadd, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
6pm: Al Ras Al Akhdar Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m.
Winner: Jaahiz, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Al Reem Island Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m.
Winner: AF Al Jahed, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
7pm: Al Khubairah Handicap (TB) 100,000 2,200m.
Winner: Empoli, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh80,000 2,200m.
Winner: Shivan OA, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Squads
Australia: Finch (c), Agar, Behrendorff, Carey, Coulter-Nile, Lynn, McDermott, Maxwell, Short, Stanlake, Stoinis, Tye, Zampa
India: Kohli (c), Khaleel, Bumrah, Chahal, Dhawan, Shreyas, Karthik, Kuldeep, Bhuvneshwar, Pandey, Krunal, Pant, Rahul, Sundar, Umesh
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
Ballon d’Or shortlists
Men
Sadio Mane (Senegal/Liverpool), Sergio Aguero (Aregentina/Manchester City), Frenkie de Jong (Netherlans/Barcelona), Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham), Dusan Tadic (Serbia/Ajax), Kylian Mbappe (France/PSG), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England/Liverpool), Donny van de Beek (Netherlands/Ajax), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/Arsenal), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany/Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Juventus), Alisson (Brazil/Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands/Juventus), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands/Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Liverpool), Bernardo Silva (Portugal/Manchester City), Son Heung-min (South Korea/Tottenham), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich), Roberto Firmino (Brazil/Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Manchester City), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Napoli), Antoine Griezmann (France/Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Eden Hazard (BEL/Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Brazil/Paris-SG), Raheem Sterling (Eengland/Manchester City), Joao Félix(Portugal/Atletico Madrid)
Women
Sam Kerr (Austria/Chelsea), Ellen White (England/Manchester City), Nilla Fischer (Sweden/Linkopings), Amandine Henry (France/Lyon), Lucy Bronze(England/Lyon), Alex Morgan (USA/Orlando Pride), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal), Dzsenifer Marozsan (Germany/Lyon), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Wolfsburg), Sarah Bouhaddi (France/Lyon), Megan Rapinoe (USA/Reign FC), Lieke Martens (Netherlands/Barcelona), Sari van Veenendal (Netherlands/Atletico Madrid), Wendie Renard (France/Lyon), Rose Lavelle(USA/Washington Spirit), Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride), Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Lyon), Kosovare Asllani (Sweden/CD Tacon), Sofia Jakobsson (Sweden/CD Tacon), Tobin Heath (USA/Portland Thorns)
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
At a glance
- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years
- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills
- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis
- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector
- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes
- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
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