Tag Archives: ÉcolePolytechniqueFédéraleDeLausanne
Virtual reality could be the answer to treating phantom pain
Robots learn to walk naturally by understanding their bodies
Robots learn to walk naturally by understanding their bodies
Algorithm shows the data you give away when clicking suggested links
Mind-controlled robot gives the disabled a taste of home
EPFL mixes graphene and molybdenite to make very efficient, flexible flash memory
We've seen graphene chips, and we've seen molybdenite chips. What would happen if we combined the two? If EPFL's experimental flash memory is any clue, we might get one of the better blends since chocolate met peanut butter. The chip uses graphene's high conductivity for the memory itself, as well as for electrodes, but stuffs molybdenite in between to rapidly switch electrical states (such as what you'd see in write commands) while using little power. The hybrid is theoretically both faster and more power-efficient than conventional silicon designs, but that's just the start: the extra-thin nature of either material is better-suited to flexible electronics on top of shrinking the chip footprint. If there's anything at this stage that would sour EPFL's dreams of a storage utopia, it's time. There's no immediate mention of commercialization plans for the mutant memory, which could leave us stuck on silicon for awhile.
Source: ACS Nano
Swiss bionic hand offers true sensations through the nervous system
Those wearing bionic hands and similar prostheses often suffer a frustrating disconnect when they can touch an object but can't feel it, even if they're using direct neural control. The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and allies in Project TIME have developed a hand that could clear that psychological hurdle. The design implants electrodes directly in key nerves that not only allow motor input, but deliver real sensory feedback from the artificial appendage -- including needle pokes, much to the test subject's chagrin. An early trial (seen above) kept the enhanced hand separate from the wearer and was limited to two sensations at once, but an upcoming trial will graft the hand on to a tester's arm for a month, with sensations coming from across much of the simulated hand. EPFL hopes to have a fully workable unit ready to test in two years' time, which likely can't come soon enough for amputees wanting more authentic physical contact.
Filed under: Science
Source: Project TIME, The Independent
AirBurr micro air vehicle can self-right, take off again (video)
EPFL's been tweaking its eerily floating AirBurr since 2009, and its latest iteration adds four carbon-fiber legs, hopefully ensuring you'll never have to chase after and recover it after a crash. When the seemingly clunky frame crashes, it's that same intentional design that will ensure gravity rolls the device towards its side, allowing the legs to extend out and let the MAV relaunch itself -- even off gravel. Hit up the source link to see how the design has evolved over the years, but before that, see it crash and burn return right after the break.
Continue reading AirBurr micro air vehicle can self-right, take off again (video)
AirBurr micro air vehicle can self-right, take off again (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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