Latest Invention: New Robofish Developed By MIT Scientists
Researchers at MIT managed to create small robotic fish
by using just a few parts and a blend of polymers. Their latest invention
can swim in the water like trout or tuna. The robofish could be used to
spot oil spills and a number of other contaminants in the water with the
help of special built-in sensors. 
"The interesting aspect of this research is that we are the first group to tailor different polymers in different parts of the body with different dampening and stiffness properties," explains Kamal Youcef-Toumi, a researcher at MIT who is working on the creation of robotic fish together with Pablo Vildivia Y Alvarado. Their latest inventions are 8-inch long and built to swim like salt water tuna. In contrast to the robofish constructed in 1994, the new model can not only wiggle the tail, but also move the entire body, which leads to an increased speed.
The robofish are covered with special mix of molded polymers. Their body represents one whole piece of material, but each of the body sections has different rigidity, which makes it possible for the motion of one actuator to move across the whole body of the robofish, pushing it forward. It is worth mentioning that one actuator helps the fish to move only forward and side to side. In order to move up and down the robotic fish requires two additional actuators.
This latest invention from MIT researchers has the ability to mimic the real fish. Still, these robofish are far from reaching the speed of real fish. Their top speed does not exceed one body length per second, compared to some real fish that can reach a speed of up to 10 body lengths per second, reports Discovery News.
The power cable is attached to the robofish to provide energy for movement. It is possible to install batteries to help the robofish remotely swim in streams and bays, allowing scientists to study animals and identify pollution. You can find more interesting information on latest inventions in robotics here at www.InfoNIAC.com; please consider checking the links at the bottom of the story.
Huosheng Hu, a professor of computer science and electronic engineering at the University of Essex says that the unibody robofish is impressive, but it won't have any special advantage in swimming, unless it features extra actuators. "We still have a long way to go to achieving the same performance as real fish," said Hu.
Non-surgical heart valve replacement
Patients
with congenital heart disease will have a chance at a treatment without
a major open heart surgery. Cardiologists at the Rush University Medical
Center has developed a minimally-invasive transcatheter valve replacement.
Patients involved in a clinical trial had this implant, and are presently
recovering. This gives hope to patients that would otherwise undergo multiple
open heart surgeries. The valve replacement procedure uses a bovine pericardial
heart valve that is compressed into a balloon as small as a pencil, threaded
from a major vein in the leg into the circulatory system, and is deployed
across the pulmonary valve.
The US Food and Drug Administration conditionally approved the trial in 2007.
Dell Releases Adamo XPS: World’s Thinnest Laptop
Dell officially launched the Adamo XPS, the highest-end
version of its designer ultra portable. Dell says it expects to “begin taking
orders and shipping the Adamo XPS in time for the holidays.” The ultra thin
luxury laptop starts at $1,799.
The system is championed as the thinnest notebook ever and measures just 0.39 inches at its thickest point. Dell accomplishes the feat by tucking most of the computer components into the display section and relying on a unique hinge that opens underneath and acts as a built-in prop . In spite of its slimness, the notebook still has a removable battery, two USB ports and DisplayPort output but also weighs slightly more than its MacBook Air rival at 3.2 pounds.
When fully opened, the keyboard sits at maybe a 20-degree angle. It’s an unusual setup, but one that provides a more ergonomic typing experience than the average flat laptop keyboard. We also liked the keyboard’s metal keys and the reasonably large touchpad.