Building the sensitive robot
December 17, 2002
Vanderbilt researchers are working on a robot that can sense human emotion, using measures of human heart rate, skin conductance, and facial muscle activity.
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Fractal Magnets May Fracture Old Technologies
December 18, 2002
Plastic magnets with fractal magnetic field may one day be the heart of computer hard drives small enough to power nanotechnology-based devices.
Plastics with fractal magnetic fields “may provide ways to store a high density of information” in a very small space because of their intensely ordered structure, says Arthur Epstein, director of the Center for Materials Research at Ohio State University.
News tip: Walter Purvis
Lasers reveal rewiring of the living brain
December 19, 2002
A new technique for imaging the brains of living animals known as “two photon microscopy” represents a breakthrough in understanding rewiring of the brain that will have far-reaching implications for neurobiology, researchers say. It involves shining laser light into the brains of living animals and picking up the “returning light” produced by neurons engineered to express fluorescent proteins.
Rat-Brained Robot
December 19, 2002
Rat neuron cells on silicon are the brains behind a new robot—a breakthrough that may lead to better computer chips. The “hybrot” is in essence a rat-controlled robot, and marks the first instance in which cultured neurons have been used to control a robotic mechanism.
The device contains thousands of rat neuron cells on a silicon chip that’s embedded with 60 electrodes connected to an amplifier. The electrical signals… read more
Small RNAs Make Big Splash
December 19, 2002
Recent discoveries indicate that a class of RNA molecules called small RNAs operate many of the cell’s controls. They can shut down genes or alter their levels of expression.
In some species, truncated RNA molecules literally shape genomes, carving out chunks to keep and discarding others. There are even hints that certain small RNAs might help chart a cell’s destiny by directing genes to turn on or off during… read more
The end of history, tech version?
December 20, 2002
Do you think machines will become more intelligent than people in the next 100 years? Won’t that present a danger to humankind? What can be done to keep that from happening?
These are among the questions in a survey pitting views of the future by Bill Joy against those of Ray Kurzweil and Hans Moravec.
False Dawns in the Brave World of New Genetics
December 21, 2002
Gene science has the potential to transform the course of our lives, from “designer babies” to slowing the aging process. But how far advanced is it — and exactly where is it going? Scientists at its cutting edge separate the hype from the reality.
Sony soon to deliver child robot
December 23, 2002
Shades of A.I. the movie: Sony is developing a 24-inch child-like robot that can interact with its “carers,” expressing emotions through words, songs and body language. It can recognize up to 10 human faces and voices and adapt its behaviour according to the way it is treated. The SDR4X Dream Robot will be available April 7 for $60,000 to $80,000.
Many Tools of Big Brother Are Up and Running
December 25, 2002
Most of the technical prerequisites for the Pentagon’s Total Information Awareness national surveillance system are already in place. Computerized data sifting and pattern matching that might flag suspicious activities are not much different from programs already in use by private companies.
The Matrix Makers: virtual cinematography
December 25, 2002
The two sequels of “The Matrix” will feature photorealistic virtual actors that are impossible to tell from real ones, say the producers. “The Matrix Reloaded” arrives in theaters on May 15, “Matrix Revolutions” in early November.
Actor performances are captured on five high-resolution digital cameras; a complex algorithm calculates the actor’s appearance from every angle the cameras missed and allows for creating scenes with virtual actors.
Making Robots, With Dreams of Henry Ford
December 26, 2002
IRobot is perhaps the only company in the world that develops and sells robots to the military, researchers, large corporations, and consumers. Most robotics makers focus on just one segment, and 2002 has been a busy year for the company.
Laser leads nerve growth
December 26, 2002
A laser beam can guide nerve cells to grow in a particular direction, researchers have shown. The technique might help damaged nerves to regrow or could connect them to electronic implants, such as artificial retinas and prosthetic limbs.
Butterflies point to micro machines
December 26, 2002
Micro air vehicles that mimick insects will soon be a reality, thanks to aerodynamics research using high-speed cameras in a wind tunnel to analyze how the animals moved through the air.