Slashdot Mirror
Phase-Changing Material Created For Robots
rtoz writes In the movie Terminator 2, the shape-shifting T-1000 robot morphs into a liquid state to squeeze through tight spaces or to repair itself when harmed. Now a phase-changing material built from wax and foam, and capable of switching between hard and soft states, could allow even low-cost robots to perform the same feat. The material developed by MIT researchers could be used to build deformable surgical robots. The robots could move through the body to reach a particular point without damaging any of the organs or vessels along the way. The Robots built from this material could also be used in search-and-rescue operations to squeeze through rubble looking for survivors.
Or, as penis implants for old men. ;-)
Lost at C:>. Found at C.
Just because it was cool in the movie doesn't mean we have to build one.
const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
um... ok, so its silicone rubber coated in wax. Heat the wax and the silicone can flex because the wax is fluid. Let it cool and the wax hardens. That doesn't sound even remotely durable to me. How is this useful?
If I had a dime for every one these "researchers made the next big thing" articles I'd use it to fund a web start-up that tracks all these claims so I could watch the PR buzz fizzle into obscurity time after time. The tally so far: solar panels should be 1456% efficient, LEDs 124% efficient, batteries should outperform gas in every metric, the world should be filled nano-tube everything, and robots should be flying all around me at this instant.
What the headline should say is "University trolls for more funding..."
If you're developing something that can't be used to catch terrorists or pedophiles, you can probably say it will be used to "search through rubble for survivors"
'... I say, when they git ready...... ever hear tell of a shoggoth?"
Terminator 2? Feh.
... about technology developments.
But now I realize that 95% of new technology will only help build robotic exoskeletons for the Koch brothers, not help us working schlubs.
Support microSD: in a post 9/11 world, it is unwise to carry your data on media that you cannot comfortably swallow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_WiShe0NOE
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=wax+motor
Paraffin wax is a known phase change material used in everything from washing machines, battery thermal management, automobiles, and thermostats. A project which has had moderate success with phase change materials is the Slocum Thermal glider which uses a PCM to harness thermal energy from the ocean.
OpenGlider V0.1 used 4 silicone bladders full of paraffin wax for both attitude control and a high pressure buoyancy engine. Unfortunately there were some fundamental design problems with the energy storage system that forced the transition to a more traditional approach. IE: using electric motors in V0.2 & V0.3(currently in development).
I think paraffin wax still has potential, but it's high specific heat translates to a large energy cost per cm^3 of volume change per dive cycle. My physics teacher discouraged my from pursuing PCMs because of the enthalpy losses, but without quantifying the losses it is difficult to do a cost benefit analysis on the design tradeoffs.
The goal of the project is the design of a low cost underwater glider to increase access to oceanographic data collection.
www.openglider.com
Yeah, I'm watching the video and so far I'm really not impr - MOUSE!
Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
Penis implants, medical devices, search & rescue robots, etc. are all high and noble visions. It seems, however, to be a rather flimsy and unstable material, which will have its future in the making of toys, where it will it end up being a mass product pnly to find its way into a trash bin eventually. Thus will it will not give many old men back their sexuality, nor will it save countless lifes, and the research will have to settle for a less noble vision ... the one which is going to put smiles onto the faces of countless of kids.
Call it Transformium!
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
obviously Israel wants this technology yesterday.
Introducing my new company:
DIAL-A-DILDO
Yes, that's right. Starting today, you can crank the crank up, or down, as most pleasing to you. Tight and sassy? No problem! Size queen? Turn it up to 11. Order now: dial 1 (800) ITS-HUGE anytime, night or day.
Offer not valid in Texas. Vibrating features extra. Made in USA by union labor. All natural. Au natural. 100% recyclable (in, out.)