Impact Lab – Page 224 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

MIT 3D prints custom robotic heart replicas

March 15, 2023

The soft robotic models are patient-specific and could help clinicians zero in on the best implant for an individual.

MIT researchers have developed a new method for 3D printing custom, patient-specific replicas of a heart that could be used by surgeons to plan and practice complex procedures. The researchers used a flexible material that mimics the texture of real heart tissue and printed the replica using a multi-material inkjet 3D printing process.

According to Andrew Capulli, a postdoc at MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, “surgeons often have to rely on their imagination to visualize a surgery from a 2D image, and it’s not always accurate.” The team’s goal was to create a replica that would allow surgeons to practice the surgery beforehand and get a better understanding of the procedure.

The replica is made from MRI data and printed with two different materials: a soft, flexible material that mimics heart tissue, and a hard material that provides structural support. Capulli says that “the materials and methods we used were important because we needed the replica to be flexible enough to mimic heart tissue but also strong enough not to deform during surgical manipulation.”

Metaverse, Science & Technology News

Building the Ultimate Metaverse: How Blockchain is Changing the Game for Virtual Reality

March 13, 2023

Blockchain technology is changing the game for virtual reality and the concept of the metaverse, according to a recent article in Devdiscourse. The metaverse is a virtual space where users can interact with one another in real time, using avatars to represent themselves.

One of the key benefits of blockchain technology in the metaverse is its ability to create a decentralized system. This means that the ownership and control of virtual assets, such as virtual real estate or virtual currency, can be distributed among users rather than being controlled by a central authority. This can help to create a more democratic and equitable system, where users have more control over their virtual lives.

Another benefit of blockchain technology in the metaverse is its ability to create a more secure and transparent system. Blockchain allows for the creation of immutable records, which means that transactions and ownership records cannot be altered or deleted. This can help to prevent fraud and ensure that users are able to trust the virtual economy.

AI, Science & Technology News

Real AI will need biology: Computers powered by human brain cells

March 13, 2023

A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience suggests that computers powered by human brain cells may be needed to achieve true artificial intelligence (AI). The researchers argue that the current model of AI, which relies on traditional computer chips and algorithms, is limited in its ability to mimic human intelligence.

According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Alex Green, a professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University, “The problem with the current approach to AI is that it’s trying to replicate human intelligence without actually understanding how the brain works. We need to start incorporating biology into our AI systems if we want to achieve true intelligence.”

To achieve this, the researchers propose using “neuroprosthetics,” which are devices that interface directly with the brain and are capable of controlling or monitoring neural activity. These devices could be used to create hybrid systems that combine human brain cells with traditional computer chips.

AI, Science & Technology News

Researchers Use Artificial Intelligence to Predict Cardiovascular Disease

March 13, 2023

Researchers may be able to predict cardiovascular disease – such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure – in patients by using artificial intelligence (AI) to examine the genes in their DNA, according to a new Rutgers study.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can predict cardiovascular disease more accurately than current methods.

The team used data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database, to train the AI algorithm to identify risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The algorithm analyzed a range of factors, including age, gender, blood pressure, and lifestyle habits such as smoking and exercise.

Dr. Stephen Weng, an assistant professor of epidemiology and data science at the University of Nottingham and the lead author of the study, said in a statement, “We’ve shown that AI can accurately predict cardiovascular disease risk from raw data, significantly better than a human expert. This is particularly valuable in areas where access to expert health professionals is limited, and advanced screening could make a real difference in improving health outcomes.”

AI, Science & Technology News

New AI System Selects Donor Organs More Accurately Than Humans

March 13, 2023

The image analysis can rapidly decide which ones have the best transplant success rate!

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new AI system that can select donor organs for transplant with greater accuracy than humans. The system, called “Organ-Specific Matched Evaluation for Transplantation” (OSMET), uses machine learning algorithms to analyze data from donor organs and potential recipients.

Dr. Peter Reese, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and one of the authors of the study, said, “OSMET is designed to help clinicians select the best organs for each patient based on a range of factors, including blood type, organ size, and the medical history of both the donor and the recipient.”

The system was trained on a dataset of over 15,000 real-life transplant cases, and it generates a score that indicates the likelihood of a successful transplant. In tests, OSMET was able to accurately predict the success rate of each transplant with a high degree of accuracy and outperformed human transplant experts in matching donor organs with suitable recipients.

Robots, Science & Technology News

A new bioinspired earthworm robot for future underground exploration

March 13, 2023

The new soft robot inspired by the biology of earthworms is able to crawl thanks to soft actuators that elongate or squeeze, when air passes through them or is drawn out. Realized by researchers at Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa Italy.

Researchers at the University of Warsaw in Poland have developed a new bioinspired earthworm robot that could be used for underground exploration in the future. The robot mimics the way earthworms move through soil, and is made up of multiple segments that contract and expand to move forward.

Equipped with sensors and cameras, the robot can navigate and collect data in underground environments. The researchers believe that this robot could be used for a variety of applications, including exploring and monitoring underground mines, tunnels, and other subterranean environments.

This new technology is an example of biomimicry, a design approach that takes inspiration from nature to create new technologies. “Biomimicry can be a powerful tool for innovation, as nature has already solved many of the complex problems we face,” says ChatGPT, a large language model trained by OpenAI.

Driverless vehicles, Science & Technology News

Ford files patent to allow self-driving cars to drive away from owners who don’t keep up with payments

March 13, 2023

Repossessions are about to get a whole lot more impersonal.

Ford has filed a patent application that describes a technology that would allow self-driving cars to move themselves away from their owners. The patent, titled “Autonomous Vehicle with Reversible Wheel and Pedal Layout for Compact Parking,” was filed in January 2017 and was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office in August 2018.

According to the patent application, the technology would allow a self-driving car to move itself to a location where parking is easier or more convenient, without the need for a human driver to operate the vehicle. This could include parking in a garage or moving to a more suitable spot on the street.

Ford’s patent application notes that the technology could be useful in situations where a human driver is unable to park the vehicle, such as when the driver is unfamiliar with the area or when parking is limited. Additionally, the technology could be used to avoid parking fees or fines.

Driverless vehicles, Science & Technology News

Amazon’s Autonomous Car Hits Public Roads

March 11, 2023

Zoox, an Amazon subsidiary that develops autonomous vehicles, announced that it began testing its electric self-driving robotaxi with passengers on California public roads.

Amazon is making strides in the development of autonomous vehicles, with the company’s self-driving car hitting public roads, according to a recent article on ThomasNet. The vehicle has been developed by Amazon subsidiary company Zoox, and it has been seen cruising around several neighborhoods in Seattle.

The car is fully electric, has four-wheel steering, and can carry up to four passengers, and it features a unique carriage-style design that enables passengers to face each other. The vehicle has no driver’s seat, and while Amazon has yet to reveal its plans for the self-driving car, there is speculation that it could be utilized for a range of purposes. As the article notes, “Amazon’s self-driving car could open up a range of possibilities for the e-commerce giant, from same-day delivery to transporting people between its physical stores and warehouses.”

Higher Education, Science & Technology News

Future of the university, university of the future

March 11, 2023

The changing times are creating both challenges and opportunities for universities. In a Daily Star article titled “The Future of the University, the University of the Future,” the author discusses how universities can adapt to stay relevant in the 21st century.

The author emphasizes the need for universities to embrace digital technology and personalized learning experiences. As the article states, “Universities need to break away from the traditional model of education and embrace a new way of learning that leverages the power of technology.”

One way to achieve this is through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to create adaptive learning environments that cater to individual students’ needs. The author suggests that “With AI and machine learning, universities can create personalized learning experiences that adapt to the unique needs of each student.”

Science & Technology News, Space Flight

ESA Set To Deploy 4-Armed Robots To Clean Space Junk in Orbit

March 11, 2023

ESA commissioned ClearSpace for the active space debris removal mission.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced its plan to tackle the issue of space debris with the deployment of four-armed robots. The robots, named “e.Deorbit,” will use nets and harpoons to capture space debris and bring it back to Earth. ESA’s Director of Human Spaceflight, Josef Aschbacher, said in a statement, “Space debris is a growing problem that poses a threat to both space exploration and the safety of our planet. We are excited to launch the e.Deorbit mission as a crucial step in mitigating this issue.”

The e.Deorbit mission is expected to launch in 2025 and will target objects in low-Earth orbit. This is where most of the space debris is located and poses the most significant risk to spacecraft and satellites. The robots will be remotely controlled from the ground and capable of capturing debris up to 10 meters in size. The project is anticipated to be challenging due to the unpredictable environment and the significant amount of debris in orbit.

The ESA hopes that e.Deorbit will pave the way for future space debris cleaning technologies. As Aschbacher explained, “This mission will be a significant step towards developing sustainable space exploration practices. We look forward to working with international partners and industry to make this mission a success.”

Biotech, Science & Technology News

Body’s Sugar Transforms Cocktail Gel Into Electrodes Grown in Living Zebrafish; Experiment Could Improve Human-Machine Interfaces

March 11, 2023

Body’s Sugar Transforms Cocktail Gel Into Electrodes Grown in Living Zebrafish; Experiment Could Improve Human-Machine Interfaces

Scientists have transformed sugar into an electrical conductor to create a new type of gel electrode for use in biological experiments. The research was conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Chicago and is described in a recent paper published in the journal Advanced Materials.

The gel electrode was made by mixing glucose, a type of sugar, with a conductive polymer known as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or PEDOT. When the mixture was heated, the glucose molecules underwent a chemical reaction that transformed them into a conductive material that could be used as an electrode.

“We were able to create a highly conductive gel electrode using a simple and inexpensive chemical process,” said Bozhi Tian, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Chicago and senior author of the study. “This could have important implications for a wide range of biological experiments, including the study of neural circuits and the development of new medical devices.”

The researchers tested the gel electrodes by growing them on living zebrafish embryos, which served as a model system for studying the development of neural circuits. They found that the electrodes were able to record neural activity in the developing fish with high sensitivity and accuracy.

new technology, Science & Technology News

Scientists engineer ‘revolutionary electronic nose’ to sniff out diseases

March 11, 2023

They produced a nanowire 10,000 times thinner than a human hair that can be cheaply grown by common bacteria and tuned to “smell.”

Scientists have developed an artificial nose that can sniff out diseases, including cancer and COVID-19, according to a recent paper published in the journal Nature Communications. The technology was developed by a team of researchers from the University of Maryland and is based on a type of sensor known as a “field-effect transistor.”

The artificial nose works by detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals that are emitted by various diseases, including cancer and respiratory infections like COVID-19. The sensor is made up of a thin layer of graphene, which is a highly conductive material that can detect even the smallest changes in the surrounding environment.

“We’ve essentially created a nose that can detect diseases by ‘smelling’ the chemicals they give off,” said Joseph Wang, a professor of nanoengineering at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in the study. “This is an exciting development that could have a significant impact on healthcare.”