Engineering TV : Biological

Micromuscle

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Electroactive polymers (EAP) are an emerging class of materials with many new revolutionary properties. One of the main advantages of electroactive polymers is the possibility to electrically control and fine-tune their behavior and properties. Using Micromuscle EAP technology, a wide variety of small moving components can be constructed. The possibility to create moving structures and exert force enables new functionality for medical devices and other life science products. For more information, go to: Micromuscle.

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Growing Plants on the Moon

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:00:00 GMT
What does it take to grow plants on the Moon? Paragon Space Development Corporation CEO Taber MacCallum answers that question from the 25th International Space Symposium. Growing the first plant on another world has enormous symbolic importance as well as important scientific research value for creating self contained lunar outposts and eventual settlements. In addition to leading the design of biological payloads, Paragon’s responsibilities on the Odyssey Moon team include robotic lunar lander design support and the lander’s thermal control system. Also watch this episode: Lunar Oasis: Greenhouse on the Moon. For more information, go to: Paragon Space Development Corporation.

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Lunar Oasis: Greenhouse on the Moon

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:00:00 GMT
The first Moon flower will become a reality when private lunar expedition partners Odyssey Moon and Paragon Space Development Corporation deliver a biological greenhouse to the lunar surface. Google Lunar X PRIZE contender Odyssey Moon partnered with Paragon, a Tucson-based firm and manufacturer of key components for NASA’s Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle. The lunar plant will be another space biology first for Paragon, having bred the first animals through complete life cycles in space, and grown the first aquatic plant in space. Also watch this episode: Growing Plants on the Moon. For more information, go to: Paragon Space Development Corporation.

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Distributed Database Biometrics

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:00:00 GMT
Identica's Universal Controller (UC-2) combined with the iCLASS contactless smart cards from HID are combined to create a smart solution. Biometric templates are securely stored on iCLASS credentials, not in the biometric readers, making iCLASS contactless smart cards portable databases that are well suited for installations spanning multiple sites. Storing the template on the card simplifies system start-up and enables the support of unlimited user populations. It also eliminates the redundant wiring requirement for biometric template management, significantly lowering installation costs.

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Identica VP-II Vascular Security Scanner

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:50:00 GMT
The VP-II biometric security system from Identica verifies users by utilizing a patented recognition algorithm based on veins and capillaries found on the back of the human hand. The Vascular Pattern Scanner uses passive infrared technology to capture an individual’s unique vascular pattern from below the surface of the skin. The VP-II system can be configured to operate in stand-alone and/or networked environments using proprietary, TCP/IP and Wiegand protocols.

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Microalgae Bioreactors

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:23:00 GMT
Current research in the area of biofuels includes a major R&D program with Solix Biofuels and the Engines and Energy Conversion Lab to develop photobioreactors for the mass production of algae as a biodiesel feedstock. Designing and building a Photobioreactor (PBR) that produces oil at a competitive price requires precise delivery of sunlight and the photobiological formula to each algae cell in the system.

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Algae-based Biofuel

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:08:00 GMT
The vision of Solix Biofuels is to unlock the complex secrets of one of the simplest organisms on Earth, microalgae, to create a commercially viable biofuel that will play a vital role in solving climate change and petroleum scarcity, without competing with global food supply.

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Electric Grids and Microalgae

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:52:00 GMT
Dr. Bryan Willson, Director of Colorado State University's Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory, discusses their work with two co-located partners. Spirae's InteGrid laboratory ranks among the world’s most advanced centers for test and development related to renewable energy, distributed generation, and power system management. Solix is working with microalgae to create a commercially viable biofuel that could play a vital role in solving climate change and petroleum scarcity, without competing with global food supply.

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An Anthropomorphic Hand

Terry Knight — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:36:00 GMT
A new robotic hand developed by the German Aerospace Institute and the Harbin Institute of Technology uses servo-actuators which are completely integrated into the hand allowing the four fingers, each with three degrees of freedom, to grip with torque and tactile sensors imitating human motor functions.

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Advanced Arm and Hand Robotics

Terry Knight — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 13:02:00 GMT
Barrett Technologies uses wire cables and brushless motors to produce a high torque and near zero-friction robotic arm that is completely backdrivable. Equipped with a robotic hand that has self-contained motors and processors, the system can be mounted on and run off a Segway's own battery system.

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Artificial Muscles

Terry Knight — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:25:00 GMT
Researchers at the Human Neuromechanics Laboratory, University of Michigan, are studying human locomotion and artificial muscles that have very high power output at a very low weight and are designed for patients with neurological disorders to aid in movement.

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Suits for Extraterrestrial Environments

Terry Knight — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:53:00 GMT
We've made it to Mars, how do we keep the equipment dust free from planetary exploration? NASA engineers are designing planetary exploration suits to meet the demands of Human-kinds next galactic steps.

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Engineering Space Suits

Terry Knight — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:22:00 GMT
Designing a space suit for space exploration is one thing, creating a spacesuit for planetary exploration is a completely different tailoring order. Aside from the atmospheric issues, NASA engineers are looking at way to make the suits lighter to achieve their mission to Mars.

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More Robotic Lessons from Nature

Terry Knight — Tue, 15 May 2007 14:58:00 GMT
How animals change their leg stiffness when running from one surface to another is a key element to creating a robot that can walk or run. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are studying this with actuator experiments.

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Researching the Robotic Leg

Terry Knight — Thu, 10 May 2007 08:49:00 GMT
Using servo motors, magnetic encoders for monitoring and differential force on springs to create torque, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are creating robotic legs that can walk, run, jump; something we don't even think about when we do these activities.

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