The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a novel micro-embossing device for manufacturing precision glass lenses with high image quality. The lenses have the resolution required for state-of-the-art optical instruments and devices in varied fields including astronomy, national defence, medical scanning, and consumer products such as cameras and mobile phones. The invention can emboss ultra-precise optical microstructures in glass in an environmentally friendly way, saving electric power by 60 times and reducing manufacturing cost by two-thirds compared to conventional machines.