Fundamental Concepts in Science
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Mars Exploration Rovers - Part 2
Mars Exploration Rovers - Opportunity Awaits!
Mars Exploration Rovers - Opportunity Awaits!
Communication
The Rover has 4 antennas that operate in low, medium and high gain frequencies, as well as UHF. This gives the mission team multiple ways to communicate with the rover. Communication can either be direct or it can be relayed through a craft orbiting Mars. Communicating with orbiters saves energy because the rover doesn't have to "yell" as loud. Also, satellites are in view for longer periods of time. When direct communication occurs, lag time can be anywhere from 1.5 to 5 hours. This requires mission team members to pre-plan routes for the rover, and rely on automated sensors, as well as hazard avoidance software.
Nanorobotics
Visual scale size of nanorobots |
History: No artificial non-biological nanobots have been made, so they are still hypothetical. However, they were envisioned as early as the 1860’s. James Clerk Maxwell proposed a thought experiment in which a tiny entity dubbed “Maxwell’s Demon” would be able to handle individual molecules. Richard Adolf Zsigmondy published a book in 1914 about using an ultramicroscope and the dark field method to see particles like gold sols with size 10nm an less.
Nanorobot image |
Who is using it? Anybody that does work that requires precision interactions with nanoscale objects. Doctors may be able to use it to help treat patients more efficiently, and there are other professionals that might be able to use it. Nanorobots involve a multidisciplinary approach between cell biology, biochemistry, and biomaterials engineering, and the potential applications of nanobots are almost unending.
What are they using it for? The main purpose will be maintaining and protecting the human body against pathogens. They can cure skin diseases; be used in mouthwash to identify and destroy pathogenic bacteria as well as lifting particles of food, plaque, or tartar off of teeth to wash them away; augment the immune system to find and disable unwanted bacteria and viruses; and also getting rid of arteriosclerotic deposits in the bloodstream to widen the affected blood vessels.
Nanorobots in the bloodstream |
Nanosensor CPU--"The Brain" |
How does it work?
What does the future look like? The future is everything for nanotechnology. Since nothing has been built, there are many opportunities for the scientists working with them to develop nanobots with a variety of different uses. They have potential usage in medicine, chemistry, energy, information and communication, heavy industry, and even consumer goods.
The future of technology--Nanosurgery |
http://www.nano.org.uk/articles/19/
Monday, April 18, 2011
Robot Suit – HAL
The HAL system (seen in the picture to the left) is described as a cyborg-type robot that can expand and improve physical capability. When a person attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles via motoneuron, moving the musculoskeletal system as a consequence. At that moment, very weak biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin. "HAL" catches these signals through a sensor attached on the skin of the wearer. Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to move the joint simultaneously with the wearer's muscle movement, enabling to support the wearer's daily activities. This is referred to as a 'voluntary control system' that provides movement interpreting the wearer's intention from the biosignals in advance of the actual movement. HAL has not only a 'voluntary control system', but also a 'robotic autonomous control system' that provides human-like movement based on a robotic system which integrally work together with the 'autonomous control system'. HAL is the world's first cyborg-type robot controlled by this unique hybrid system. HAL is expected to be applied in various fields such as rehabilitation support and physical training support in medical field, ADL support for disabled people, heavy labor support at factories, and rescue support at disaster sites, as well as in the entertainment field. The possibilities are endless!
HAL Details:
Size: Wearable robot
Height: 1,600mm
Weight: Full Body Type (Approx. 23kg), Lower body (Approx. 15kg)
Power: Battery - AC100V
Continuous Operating Time: Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes
Motions: Daily activities(standing up from a chair, walking, climbing up and down stairs),
hold and lift heavy objects, and more...
Operation: Hybrid Control System
Working Environment: Indoor and outdoor
How does HAL work?Two distinct systems:
1. Cybernic Voluntary Control (Bio-Cybernic Control System)
- When a person attempts to walk, for instance, the brain sends electrical impulses to muscles. when they arrive at muscles, faint bio-electrical signals appear on skin surfaces (Picture 1).
- Power units generate torque and put limbs into action (Picture 2).
- Thus, HAL assists the wearer with an intended movement (Picture 3).
2. Robotic Autonomous Control System
A human motion (for example standing up from a chair) can be recognized as an aggregate of several elemental movements.It is similar to a sentence that consists of several words. For a given motion, "HAL" assembles small movements from the database, just as words from a dictionary are concatenated to form a sentence. Using the database (which is also automatically augmented by the information that sensors collect from the body) "HAL" autonomously coordinates each motion to be assisted smoothly by power units. Furthermore, in the case that no good bio-electrical signals are detectable due to some problems in the central nervous system or in the muscles, "HAL" can be of use through the Robotic Autonomous Control.
HAL for Well-Being
"Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being product configuration:
The basic bipedal model of "Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being is pictured above. Accessories such as a dedicated PC to monitor HAL status or settings, battery charger, custom batteries, maintenance tools, etc, are supplied as well.
Background of "Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being:
"Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being was created with the most recent technologies that could be utilized for welfare purposes, resulting from the development of the Robot Suit HAL series. "Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being assists the walking motion of a wearer who has difficulty in walking or who has weakened muscles. Robot Suit HAL can help the wearer achive freedom and independence to stand and walk. "Robot Suit HAL" moves in accordance with the wearer's intention.
Robot Suit HAL Hybrid Control System:
When a person tries to move their body, biosignals is sent from the brain via moto-neuron. These biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin with sensors attached. The biosignals sent are then relayed to the HAL computer and analyzed, along with the activity of the power units attached to each joint. Controlling the power units based on these relayed biosignals enables assistance according to the wearer's intention. Types and Size of "Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being Bipedal and single leg (right/left) types are available in 3 leg length sizes (S, M, L) and 2 hip width sizes (wide/normal). Fine adjustment of HAL is possible to meet the wearer's physique.
Price:
Both Cyberdyne and Daiwa House plan to produce 400 units of Robot Suit HAL annually and each will cost you US $4,200!
Sources:
http://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/index.html