Abstract: In a fluid focus lens (ffl) a structured hydrophobic layer (415) is applied on a hydrophilic glass substrate (406). The hydrophobic layer (415) and hydrophilic glass substrate (406) cause a water droplet placed on the hydrophilic glass substrate (406) to remain in a defined position (or area). The hydrophobic layer prevents leakage when a core (408) of the ffl is not attached to the substrate (406). The hydrophobic layer (415) also functions as a barrier to keep the water in a droplet shape, which simplifies the assembly of the ffl product.

Abstract: A composite material (10, 20) includes a substrate (12, 22) with an electrically conducting metal or metal oxide surface (22B), a layer (14, 24) of an electrically insulating material such as parylene, and an intermediate adhesion-improving metal layer (16, 26) between the substrate and the electrically insulating layer. A fluid focus lens (30) has first and second fluids (32, 34) and first and second electrodes, the first electrode comprising a core (38) of the composite material (10, 20) with the electrically insulating layer (41) positioned between the core (38) and the fluids (32, 34), and the second electrode (50) in contact with the second fluid (34).