Joshua Silver
Encyclopedia
Professor
Joshua D Silver is a UK
physicist
whose discoveries have included a new way to change the curvature of lenses, with significant application for the low-cost manufacture of corrective lens
es.
In 2007 he was leading a group of researchers in the Department of Atomic and Laser Physics at the University of Oxford
.
Professor Silver is currently the director of the Centre for Vision in the Developing World at the University of Oxford
, working to research the scope of and potential solutions to the problems of refractive error and low vision in the developing world.
, that could be easily adjusted by the wearer to correct the vision of over 90% of people requiring correction. This is particularly useful for people in developing countries where specially trained optometrists are not available. In 1996 he formed a company, Adaptive Eyecare, to develop these adaptive ophthalmic lenses in partnership with the UK Government's Department for International Development
, for distribution in developing countries. The company has developed prototype adaptive spectacles that can correct both far-sighted and near-sighted people, and these spectacles have been trialled in several countries in Africa and Asia. So far 30,000 of Silver's lenses have been distributed in 15 countries.
In 2007 his research focused on using spectroscopy
to understand the physics of highly charged ion
s (produced using the university's electron beam ion trap
(EBIT)). This research has application in understanding extreme plasma environments such as fusion tokamak
s and stellar atmosphere
s.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
Joshua D Silver is a UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
whose discoveries have included a new way to change the curvature of lenses, with significant application for the low-cost manufacture of corrective lens
Corrective lens
A corrective lens is a lens worn in front of the eye, mainly used to treat myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Glasses or "spectacles" are worn on the face a short distance in front of the eye. Contact lenses are worn directly on the surface of the eye...
es.
In 2007 he was leading a group of researchers in the Department of Atomic and Laser Physics at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
.
Professor Silver is currently the director of the Centre for Vision in the Developing World at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, working to research the scope of and potential solutions to the problems of refractive error and low vision in the developing world.
Research
While studying mirrors, Silver discovered a new way to change the curvature of lenses. He applied this to create a new form of liquid-filled corrective lensCorrective lens
A corrective lens is a lens worn in front of the eye, mainly used to treat myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Glasses or "spectacles" are worn on the face a short distance in front of the eye. Contact lenses are worn directly on the surface of the eye...
, that could be easily adjusted by the wearer to correct the vision of over 90% of people requiring correction. This is particularly useful for people in developing countries where specially trained optometrists are not available. In 1996 he formed a company, Adaptive Eyecare, to develop these adaptive ophthalmic lenses in partnership with the UK Government's Department for International Development
Department for International Development
The Department For International Development is a United Kingdom government department with a Cabinet Minister in charge. It was separated from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1997. The goal of the department is "to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty". The current...
, for distribution in developing countries. The company has developed prototype adaptive spectacles that can correct both far-sighted and near-sighted people, and these spectacles have been trialled in several countries in Africa and Asia. So far 30,000 of Silver's lenses have been distributed in 15 countries.
In 2007 his research focused on using spectroscopy
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. Historically, spectroscopy originated through the study of visible light dispersed according to its wavelength, e.g., by a prism. Later the concept was expanded greatly to comprise any interaction with radiative...
to understand the physics of highly charged ion
Ion
An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge. The name was given by physicist Michael Faraday for the substances that allow a current to pass between electrodes in a...
s (produced using the university's electron beam ion trap
Electron beam ion trap
Electron beam ion trap is used in physics to denote an electromagnetic bottle that produces and confines highly charged ions.It was invented by M. Levine and R...
(EBIT)). This research has application in understanding extreme plasma environments such as fusion tokamak
Tokamak
A tokamak is a device using a magnetic field to confine a plasma in the shape of a torus . Achieving a stable plasma equilibrium requires magnetic field lines that move around the torus in a helical shape...
s and stellar atmosphere
Stellar atmosphere
The stellar atmosphere is the outer region of the volume of a star, lying above the stellar core, radiation zone and convection zone. It is divided into several regions of distinct character:...
s.
External links
- Professor J D Silver profile at University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
- 2005 Health Award Laureate Joshua Silver
- Esther Addley, Inventor's 2020 vision: to help 1bn of the world's poorest see better The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, December 22, 2008 - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/result.html?p=1&edit_alert=&srch=xprtsrch&query_txt=IN/"silver+joshua+david"&uspat=on&usapp=on&date_range=all&stemming=on&sort=chron&search=Search all his patents
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr86Eha5vLE&eurl=http://www.adaptive-eyewear.org/newscenter/multimedia-detail.php?id=848&feature=player_embedded Youtube of him demoing his glasses.
- Centre for Vision in the Developing World his current organisation for researching the technology