Cockroaches offer inspiration for running robots

clipped from oregonstate.edu clipped from www.sciencedaily.com Cockroaches Offer Inspiration for Running Robots clipped from www.sciencedaily.com clipped from www.sciencedaily.com Researchers at Oregon State University are using studies of guinea hens and other animals such as cockroaches to learn more about the mechanics of their running ability, with the goal of developing robots that can run easily over rough terrain. (Credit: Image courtesy of Oregon State University) clipped from www.treehugger.com Scientists Look to Cockroaches as Biomimicry Solution for Super Powered Running Robots It's generally agreed that cockroaches are a feat of evolution, and they certainly move incredibly well on their six legs. Which is why researchers at Oregon State University are using them as a source of inspiration for the world's first legged robot to be able to run easily over rough terrain. But it isn't just the capability of getting over rocky areas or moving quickly that scientists want to mimic - it's also a cockroach's brainless ability to zip from here to there that the researchers are after. clipped from abcnews.go.com "Cockroaches are just amazingly stable and robust when they are running," engineering professor John Schmitt of Oregon State University said in a telephone interview. Schmitt, along with many other researchers, is trying to figure out how the cockroach can zip over a maze of blocks, some three times the height of its hips, and never miss a step.

Transparentius road view system

clipped from motorcrave.com MotorCrave Transparentius Concept Lets You See Through the Truck Ahead of You The simple but smart Transparentius design places a camera system on the front of the truck, which captures images that are projected onto the rear. The drivers in back are able to see what’s beyond the truck without craning their necks out the window. clipped from www.artlebedev.com Transparentius road view transmitting system (concept) clipped from www.artlebedev.com The video signal is delivered from the camera mounted in the head of the truck to the back door panels through a projector. Transparentius would make driving easier and safer both during the day and at night.

Self-Cleaning Windows

clipped from www.inhabitat.com New Nano-Material Paves Way for Self-Washing Solar Panels and Windows clipped from www.dailytech.com Researchers from Tel Aviv University (TAU) have made a discovery that may one day lead to more efficient batteries, solar panels and windows that clean themselves. The researchers grew a forest of nanosize peptides in the range of 100 nanometers. The so-called peptide forests are able to repel dust and water and have the potential for a very effective self-cleaning coating for windows and solar panels. clipped from www.telavivuniv.org clipped from www.nano.org.uk Novel Coating Gives Self-Cleaning Windows TAU's new nano-material may revolutionize solar panels and batteries too TAU's nanosized "forest of peptides" can be used as the basis for self-cleaning windows and more efficient batteries. "This is beautiful and protean research," says Adler-Abramovich, a Ph.D. candidate. "It began as an attempt to find a new cure for Alzheimer's disease. To our surprise, it also had implications for electric cars, solar energy and construction."