Looking for a practical application of technology? This company used a little bit of nanoscience to help and create superhydrophobic spray. The spray on material repels liquids so well that the surface wont even have a drop of water on it. I’m buying a can of this as soon as I can and spraying all of my clothes so I will never need a raincoat again!
+30“A little bit of science fiction is becoming a reality” as small robots are being created that can self assemble into a larger functional robot. This video at times is a bit strange, but also very exciting in terms of what it has to possibly offer.
+70Some of you may remember the big dog, a prototype support system for the US Marine Corps. AlphaDog Proto is the upgraded version of the original, highly successful Big Dog. Although it is still a lab prototype for the Legged Squad Support System, it already demonstrates some impressive qualities. When fully developed the system will carry 400 lbs of payload on 20-mile missions in rough terrain including mud, gravel, and slippery rocks.
+30Some things never get old. This video documents some of the most original and creative linkages in Mechanical engineering. Some may be obsolete, but the ideas behind the mechanisms are all unique and very imaginative. I promise that at least 5 of the linkages will make you scratch your head… Have you ever seen an oval shaped gear?
+190An obstacle is in your way? Well with Boston Dynamic’s latest, you can simply jump over whatever is in your path. Equipped with a CO2 powered piston, the “sand flea” is a off-road bot that can carry a camera and take footage of hard to reach places. The video shows some of the amazing maneuvers this can accomplish. Surprised that it always lands face up? Well the robot plans its trajectory and then controls its path in flight!
+30For a month, This determined man’s amputated arm was connected to a robotic limb, allowing him to feel sensations and control the prosthetic arm with his thoughts. He says “I closed my eyes, and repeated ‘your hand exists, you can close your fist.’ When I finally succeeded after a month at closing my new hand, I felt that I had accomplished a huge goal.” This inspiring story is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to research with prosthetic hands. I am currently working in the “Grab Lab” here at Yale University on prosthetics. We use under-actuation to build simple and effective grasping mechanisms. Hopefully we can bring an effective solution to currently disabled people.
+30The University of Pennsylvania has been doing some great research with quad-rotor aircraft, and agressive, precise maneuvers autonomously with these platforms. This video showing the robots autonomously playing the James Bond theme is a more whimsical application of the flying machines. The variety of instruments and the superb control over the flight demonstrated in the video is just awesome!
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