Science Nation - Printable Robots Designed to be Consumer-friendly, Inexpensive

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Hello guys. Today we'll present to you an interesting project funded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Expeditions in Computing Program. This project envisions a future in which 3-D robotic systems can be produced and designed using 2-D desktop technology fabrication methods. If this feat is achieved, it would be possible for the average person to design, customize and print a specialized robot in a matter of hours. 

Currently, it takes years and many resources to produce, program and design a functioning robot. This project would completely automate the process, from sketches on-demand, anywhere, and with the skill of a team of professional engineers, leading to potential transformations in advanced manufacturing. 

"This research revolutionizes the design and manufacturing of robots, with a profound potential impact on society," says Ralph Wachter, a program director in the NSF Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering. "It would remove barriers to manufacturing robots, making it possible for average citizens to customize and manufacture their own robots to meet their needs. This opens the door to great possibilities."

"This research envisions a whole new way of thinking about the design and manufacturing of robots, and could have a profound impact on society," says MIT Professor Daniela Rus, project leader and director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL). "We believe that it has the potential to transform manufacturing and to democratize access to robots."

The Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, known as CSAIL, is the largest interdepartmental laboratory at MIT and one of the world's most important centers of computer science and information technology research. The lab has played a major role in the technology revolution of the past 50 years. Currently, CSAIL is focused on conducting groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence, computer systems, and the theory of computation, while also tackling pressing societal challenges such as education, health care, manufacturing and transportation.

"Our goal is to develop technology that enables anyone to manufacture their own customized robot. This is truly a game changer," adds engineering professor Vijay Kumar, who is leading the team from the University of Pennsylvania. "It could allow for the rapid design and manufacture of customized goods, and change the way we teach science and technology in high schools."

Check out the video!

Related articles: 
3D Printing Technology - Make things by printing them : How it works
High Tech & Custom Designed 3D Printed Prosthetics
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FDA Approves Argus II - First Bionic Eye

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

The ability to give sight to a blind person via a bionic eye depends on the circumstances surrounding the loss of sight. 

A visual prosthesis, often referred to as a bionic eye, is an experimental visual device intended to restore functional vision in those suffering from partial or total blindness. 

They are usually modeled on the cochlear implant or bionic ear devices, a type of neural prosthesis in use since the mid 1980s.

Argus II, manufactured by Second Sight Medical Products Inc. is the only such device to have received marketing approval by the United States FDA on 14 February 2013, as the first Artificial Retina technology. 

Argus II is the first approved prosthesis to restore limited vision to those blinded by retinitis pigmentosa. The prosthetic technology was developed at Second Sight, USC, UCSC, CalTech, and other research labs, with support from three major US government funding agencies (National Eye Institute, Department of Energy, and National Science Foundation - NSF).

The Argus II is manufactured by, and will be distributed by, Second Sight Medical Products of Sylmar, California later this year. Check out the video!

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Science Nation - When to Buy a Ticket

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

We've all been there. You've got a weekend trip coming up, just far enough away that you would like to fly, but when you check the rates - the prices make your eyes pop. And then you see a much cheaper rate for a city on the other side of the country. What's going on? 

With help from the National Science Foundation (NSF), economist Andrew Sweeting at Duke University is researching markets for perishable goods, which includes tickets because they have to be used by a certain date. Sweeting wants to gain a broader understanding of the general economic forces at play in perishable goods markets. 

For example, why do sports tickets drop in price the closer you get to a sporting event, while airline tickets tend to go up closer to the date of departure?

*by andreascy*

Science Nation - Human Migration : How Lice Can Shed Light on the Past

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Paleo-anthropologists beleive Homo sapiens evolved in Africa 100 - 200 thousands of years ago, and eventually moved out of Africa to populate the globe. 

But, how can researchers trace the specifics of the human migration? With the support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Florida Museum of Natural History Mammalogist, David Reed, has undertaken a novel approach.

Reed studies the genetic diversity and evolution of the human parasite that hitched a ride the whole way : lice. He gathers samples from around the world. 

Over the years, the lice evolved in parallel with their human hosts, but actually even faster, meaning studying the differences between lice from different geographic regions can actually provide insights into how and when human populations migrated into those areas.

Check also other interesting topics from NSF :
National Science Foundation (NSF) Studies Granular Materials
Science Nation : Mapping the genomes of crocodiles and alligators
NSF Robotic Sharks
Science Nation : Science for a Sustainable future
Science Nation : This Breathalyzer Reveals Signs of Disease
Science Nation : New Software Matches More Kidney Donations Faster
Science Nation : New 3D Structures Assemble with Remarkable Precision
Science Nation : Electric Fish Charges up Research on Animal Behavior

*by andreascy*

Microsoft Research : Crunching Big Data

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Distributed Computing has been a key focus for the Silicon Valley lab since its inception, Mihai Budiu, Researcher at Microsoft Silicon Valley talks about the importance of this work, especially when dealing with massive amounts of data that new cloud computing scenarios must handle. 

Examples of how Microsoft is using Dryad technologies developed in the lab to deliver better customer experiences thru Bing, Kinect and the Hotmail product teams amongst others, provide an insightful perspective on how Microsoft research efforts assist in delivering immersive technologies customers use every day.

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*by andreascy*

Science Nation : Mapping the genomes of crocodiles and alligators

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

David Ray an evolutionary biologist at Mississippi State University (MSU) never turns his back on his research, and with good reason! 

Ray and his team study alligators, crocodiles, and bats, among other creatures. 

With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), this multidisciplinary team from several universities is mapping crocodile and alligator genomes.

Reptiles resembling these have existed for around 80 million years and they are among the first reptiles to have their DNA sequenced. 

The research could expand our knowledge well beyond crocodilians to other reptiles, birds, and even dinosaurs. 

When they're not fishing for 'crocs' and 'gators,' Ray's team might be tracking down bats for their research on transposable elements or so-called 'jumping genes.' 

These genes can copy themselves and literally jump around in a DNA sequence. Better understanding of them could lead to improved genetic therapies.

Read more on :
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/index.jsp

*by andreascy*

Science Nation - This Breathalyzer Reveals Signs of Disease

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Hello THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY lovers. I hope you are doing well! This invention could give new meaning to the term "bad breath!" 

It's the Single Breath Disease Diagnostics Breathalyzer, and when you blow into it, you get tested for a biomarker - a sign of disease. 

For as amazing as that sounds, the process is actually very simple thanks to ceramics nanotechnology. All it takes is a single exhale. 

With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Professor Perena Gouma and her team at Stony Brook University in New York developed a sensor chip that you might say is the "brain" of the breathalyzer. 

It's coated with tiny nanowires that look like microscopic spaghetti and are able to detect minute amounts of chemical compounds in the breath. 

You can't buy this in the stores just yet -- individual tests such as an acetone - detecting breathalyzer for monitoring diabetes and an ammonia-detecting breathalyzer to determine when to end a home-based hemodialysis treatment are still being evaluated clinically. 

However, researchers envision developing the technology such that a number of these tests can be performed with a single device. 

Within a couple of years you might be able to self-detect a whole range of diseases and disorders, including lung cancer, by just exhaling into a handheld breathalyzer. Have a look:

We love this kind of experiments. So promising! Discover more research topics on our Newspaper.

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*by andreascy*

Science Nation : New Software Matches More Kidney Donations, Faster

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

"Harvard economist Alvin Roth is a matchmaker but he's not finding love - he's finding kidneys! 

With support from the National Science Foundation, he and his team have developed a suite of computer programs that match living kidney donors with recipients. 

So, the person who needs a kidney brings someone to the table who is willing to donate a kidney. 

Even if those two are not a match, the donor will match someone else. Think of it as a medical version of match-dot-com, linking donors and recipients, making chains of transplants possible across the country. 

Roth's team includes market designer Itai Ashlagi and operations researcher David Gamarnik at MIT and economists Utku Unver and Tayfun Sonmez at Boston College. 

So what are economists doing organizing kidney transplants? 

It turns out that an understanding of game theory and market dynamics is key to optimizing pairings. It's all about streamlining complicated matches using the science of the marketplace. 

Their matching software is the engine that has helped transplant centers in 30 states so far. Check out the video! 

*by andreascy*