Researchers at the University of Arizona have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of eye-tracking technology. By integrating a powerful 3D imaging technique called deflectometry with advanced computation, they have developed a method that can significantly improve the accuracy of gaze direction estimation. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize applications in virtual reality, entertainment, scientific research, medical and behavioral sciences, automotive driving assistance, and industrial engineering.

The new technology uses a screen displaying known structured light patterns as the illumination source, allowing researchers to obtain accurate and dense 3D surface data from both the cornea and the white area around the pupil. By analyzing the deformation of the displayed patterns as they reflect off the eye surface, scientists can accurately predict the gaze direction.

In experiments with human participants and a realistic artificial eye model, the team measured the study subjects’ viewing direction and was able to track their gaze direction with accuracies between 0.46 and 0.97 degrees. When tested on the artificial eye model, the error was around just 0.1 degrees.

This technology has the potential to seamlessly integrate with virtual reality and augmented reality systems by using a fixed embedded pattern in the headset frame or the visual content of the headset itself as the pattern that is reflected from the eye surface. This can significantly reduce system complexity, allowing for more accurate and precise tracking of user interactions.

The researchers believe that their new method will enable a new wave of next-generation eye-tracking technology, including applications such as neuroscience research and psychology. With further engineering refinements and algorithmic optimizations, they aim to push the limits of eye tracking beyond what has been previously achieved using techniques fit for real-world application settings. Their goal is to close in on the 0.1-degree accuracy levels obtained with the model eye experiments.

This innovative technology has the potential to improve our understanding of human behavior, enhance user experiences in virtual reality and augmented reality applications, and even aid in the diagnosis and correction of specific eye disorders. The researchers’ plans for commercialization through Tech Launch Arizona pave the way for a new era of robust and accurate eye-tracking, with exciting possibilities for future development and implementation.

Chewing gum is a ubiquitous part of modern life, enjoyed by millions worldwide. However, a recent pilot study has revealed that this seemingly harmless habit may have an unexpected consequence – exposure to microplastics.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, which can be found in various everyday products like cutting boards, clothes, and even food packaging. The researchers who conducted the study wanted to examine if chewing gum could be another source of microplastic exposure.

The study involved testing five brands of synthetic gum and five brands of natural gum, all commercially available. A person chewed each piece for 4 minutes, producing saliva samples every 30 seconds. The researchers measured the number of microplastics present in each sample using a microscope or Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Interestingly, both synthetic and natural gums had similar amounts of microplastics released when chewed. In fact, some individual gum pieces released as many as 600 microplastics per gram! A typical piece of gum weighs between 2 and 6 grams, which means that a large piece could release up to 3,000 plastic particles.

The researchers estimated that if the average person chews around 160-180 small sticks of gum per year, they could ingest approximately 30,000 microplastics. This is a significant amount, considering that humans already consume tens of thousands of microplastics annually through various sources.

Most of the microplastics detached from gum within the first 2 minutes of chewing, but this didn’t happen because enzymes in saliva broke them down. Rather, the act of chewing itself was abrasive enough to make pieces flake off.

To reduce exposure to microplastics from gum, the researchers suggest that people chew one piece longer instead of popping in a new one. This way, most of the plastic particles would be released and not ingested.

The study highlights the importance of being mindful about the environment and disposing of used gum properly. If not, it’s another source of plastic pollution to the environment.

This research was funded by UCLA and the University of Hawaii Maximizing Access to Research Careers program, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health and the California Protection Council.