The University of Akron

Saranshu Singla

Ali Dhinojwala

Ali Dhinojwaqla

Runyao Zhu

Christopher Maurer

K Zin Htut

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to contact lenses that utilize a multilayer coating of alternating high RI materials, such as melanin or polydopamine (PDA) and other low RI materials to create tunable iridescent colors and contain melanin or similar materials that impart photoprotection due to their broadband UV-vis absorption spectrum and ability to quench radicals.

UV-overprotecting iridescent colored contact lenses

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a melanin composition extracted from black knot fungus () using an acid-base extraction technique. In one or more embodiments, the melanin composition is extracted from the black outer layer of a black knot fungus by obtaining a powder including a black outer part of one or more black knot fungus, adding a quantity of an aqueous solution comprising one or more base, heating the mixture to solubilize a melanin in the aqueous solution to form a black alkaline supernatant containing said melanin, adding one or more acids to said black alkaline supernatant until the melanin precipitates out of said black alkaline supernatant, said melanin precipitate further comprising proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; collecting the melanin precipitate and adding one or more acids to hydrolyze some or all of said proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and produce the melanin composition.

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Sangrur, India

Saranshu Singla