Magnetic 'Micro-Robots' Could Lead to Tiny Automated Factories

Remember those old electric football games that used a vibrating tabletop surface to send teams of tiny NFL players scrambling around the field?

Well, researchers at SRI International are developing a super-miniaturized, high-tech variation on the theme in which tiny worker robots shimmy around a circuit board in a micro assembly plant. The 'bots are guided by magnets underneath the surface, and work in sync to assemble electronic parts and small mechanical systems.

The Diamagnetic Micro Manipulation (DM3) system uses magnets under the circuit board to guide the tick-sized robots in precise patterns. Because of their small mass, the bots can move very quickly and in the demo video below they appear to jump like fleas.

As with so many other things in life, cooperation is key. The circuit board is designed so that each tiny bot works in absolute synchronization with all the other bots — movements are precise down the the microsecond. The prototype system uses only a handful of microbots, but the idea is to scale the system up to employ thousands of mechanized blue-collar workers.

The DM3 concept is part of the DARPA Open Manufacturing program, which encourages lateral thinking in the manufacturing process. "Our vision is to enable an assembly head containing thousands of micro-robots to manufacture high-quality macro-scale products while providing millimeter-scale structural control,"

The system has several potential applications, according to SRI. These include non-silicon-based electronics, prototyping of high-quality parts and — rather ominously — "tissue manufacturing."

No word yet on the inevitable union issues, but it's only a matter of time before the mechanical proletariat learn about collective bargaining.

iWatch to Get LG-Made Flexible Display

The much-anticipated Apple iWatch may come with a flexible display manufactured by LG, a new report suggests.

According to Korean website Naver (and a translation via G for Games, LG will be the exclusive supplier for the iWatch's flexible display. This coincides with otherreports that surfaced in January, indicating LG would be a major player in developing displays for the connected smartwatch.

New ultrasound device may add in detecting risk for heart attack, stroke

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Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a new ultrasound device that could help identify arterial plaque that is at high risk of breaking off and causing heart attack or stroke.

At issue is the plaque that builds up in arteries as we age. Some types of plaque are deemed "vulnerable," meaning that they are more likely to detach from the artery wall and cause heart attack or stroke.

"Existing state-of-the-art technologies are capable of determining if plaque is present in the arteries, but can't tell whether it's vulnerable. And that makes it difficult to assess a patient's risk," says Dr. Paul Dayton, co-author of a paper on the new device and professor in the joint biomedical engineering department at NC State and Chapel Hill. "Our goal was to develop something that could effectively identify which plaques are vulnerable."

There are two ultrasound techniques that can help identify vulnerable plaques, but both depend on the use of contrast agents called "microbubbles."

The first technique is to identify "vasa vasorum" in arteries. These are clusters of small blood vessels that often infiltrate arterial plaque, and which are considered indicators that a plaque is vulnerable. When microbubbles are injected into an artery, they follow the flow of the blood. If vasa vasorum are present, the microbubbles will flow through these blood vessels as well, effectively highlighting them on ultrasound images.

The second technique is called molecular imaging, and relies on the use of "targeted" microbubbles. These microbubbles attach themselves to specific molecules that are more likely to be found in vulnerable plaques, making the plaques stand out on ultrasound images.

"The problem is that existing intravascular ultrasound technology does not do a very good job in detecting contrast agents," says Dr. Xiaoning Jiang, an NC State associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering and co-author of the paper.

"So we've developed a dual-frequency intravascular ultrasound transducer which transmits and receives acoustic signals," Jiang says. "Operating on two frequencies allows us to do everything the existing intravascular ultrasound devices can do, but also makes it much easier for us to detect the contrast agents – or microbubbles – used for molecular imaging and vasa vasorum detection."

The prototype device has performed well in laboratory testing, but the researchers say they are continuing to optimize the technology. They hope to launch pre-clinical studies in the near future.

Traits Of People Who Reach Their Full Potential

Attaining the ability to freely express our inner power means we have learned how to harness our true energy. This is not the power that comes from a false identity, stress, adrenaline, pride and ego. Rather, this power arises from being one whose vibrational inner presence, words, conscience and actions are aligned to the truth that we have unlimited potential. We have released the illusions and limiting beliefs that once blocked our light.

Attaining this level of freedom, guarantees peace and clarity in our lives. These are eight characteristics shared by people who express their unlimited potential:

1. They unapologetically express who they are.

An empowered and free being recognizes they are unlimited love, light and peaceful energy. They care for this power, use it and unapologetically express it to the world.

2. They don’t blame others.

They stopped blaming others for their shortcomings, no longer complain about what’s not currently working and don’t make excuses for why things have not happened in their lives. They are attracted by excellence and put forth the willpower and discipline to manifest their desires.

3. They take full responsibility for their happiness.

They don’t rely on seeking happiness from any source outside of themselves. Happiness is an inside job and a choice they take full responsibility for.

4. They have an attitude of gratitude.

They don’t take anything for granted. They realize their present life is a result of the actions of their past and their present actions dictate future results. They take on an attitude of gratitude at each moment for what they have so they can attract peace in the present moment and abundance in the future.

5. They live outside the comfort zone.

They are relaxed where they are but don’t get too complacent. They are always striving to serve and help more people. They know that life is truly lived out of their comfort zones so they are courageous enough to take the leap of faith to be different and overcome obstacles that may arise. They are always open to discovering new lessons and learning new things.

6. They cultivate a spiritual practice.

They cultivate peacefulness and spiritual strength to rise above beliefs and illusions that limit their potential to grow and shine brightly. They rely on some spiritual wisdom to help raise self-awareness and dissolve self-limiting beliefs.

7. They exude a vibrant energy.

Their energy radiates love, courage and determination to any person they come in contact with. It is a concentrated energy that governs their mind and emotions. It isn't distracted by the unimportant, it does not lose sight of the important and does not allow itself to be trapped by anything or anybody.

8. They tap into the powers of imagination.

They are aware of the power of the imagination and channel it in a constructive way. They're not afraid to think outside the box, develop something new and live in the grey area.

When we live from the space of having an open mind and heart, we can live out our dreams without any limitation. By releasing our closed mind, we let go of being disturbed by fear, worry, emotional stability and getting easily offended. When we step into our authentic power, we relax because we never lose sight of the true meaning and potential of who we are.

For North Dakota, drones a possible growth market

U.S. and North Dakota officials have big hopes for the growth of what are known as unmanned aircraft systems. And the remote northwestern state has positioned itself well to take advantage of its unique attributes: A first-of-its-kind academic program, an established military presence, a strong commitment from state and federal officials to find funding, and even the weather
."North Dakota made a conscious decision, several years ago, that they wanted to focus on this," said Ben Gielow, general counsel for the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, a group that promotes unmanned systems and robotics. He added, "North Dakota is one of the leaders and a model that we point to."

The result is a growing footprint for a new and potentially lucrative business: According to a report compiled by AUVSI last year, drones have the potential to create more than 100,000 jobs and more than $80 billion in economic growth between now and 2025. Domestic drones could yield big rewards for states that invest now, said Greg McNeal, a law professor at Pepperdine University who researches drones.

"Basically, you're saying that you want to be a hub for technological development, that you want to be the new Silicon Valley," McNeal said. "And that Silicon Valley might be in North Dakota, but it might not be in a state like Texas because of anti-drone legislation."

Becoming a nexus of drone research could build on the state's oil prosperity. Drilling at the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations have led the state's oil production to surge over the past several years, bringing economic stability, population growth and low unemployment.

The push to make North Dakota a drone leader as well got a boost this month when Michael Huerta, the Federal Aviation Administration administrator, announced in Grand Forks that his agency had granted North Dakota a two-year certificate to begin flying small drone test flights. That's the first of six FAA-selected test sites to get such approval. North Dakota is one of six states, along with Alaska, Nevada, New York, Texas and Virginia, picked to research integrating drones into the civilian airspace.

The FAA does not yet allow the commercial use of drones, but is working on operational guidelines and has said as many as 7,500 small commercial drones could be flying within five years of getting widespread access to U.S. skies.

Grand Forks, the location of the FAA's approved test site, is at the center of the state's drone ambitions. The U.S. Air Force is expected in June to finalize a 50-year lease at Grand Sky, an aerospace and technology park in the city. That facility will be anchored by defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. With the FAA's designation, state officials and others hope to attract more investment and interest.

Privacy issues tend to hover over any discussion of investment in domestic drones. North Dakota has largely avoided a backlash by working on the issue proactively. When Gov. Jack Dalrymple set up a committee to oversee the Grand Forks site's operations, he included establishing public safety procedures and privacy restrictions as core goals.

John Villasenor, a UCLA professor and nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said privacy issues chilled drone investment in some states, "but drones have many applications, such as crop spraying, that don't raise privacy concerns at all."

The first FAA-approved test flights next month will showcase that sort of use. The Draganflyer X4ES will fly over North Dakota State University's Carrington Research Extension Center. Missions are scheduled for the summer over Sullys Hill National Game Preserve near Devils Lake. In both cases, they will avoid private property and focus on research of agriculture-related uses.

NDSU's extension service is examining how drones can be used to improve seed applications, fertilizer and pesticide, which could potentially reduce costs and improve crop performance. The drones will also collect data designed to help look at how they can be integrated into commercial airspace.

While the state already had the University of North Dakota's first-of-its-kind unmanned aircraft degree program. Gielow also cited the presence of the Air Force's unmanned aircraft mission at the Grand Forks Air Force Base as a reason for the state's strong position.

North Dakota officials have also spent money to welcome drone research. The state put more than $14 million in the Grand Forks site, and the congressional delegation has consistently pitched federal officials that it would be a good home for drone research.

Then there is North Dakota itself. The weather provides a variety of test conditions, and the relatively small population and lack of commercial air traffic make it an attractive location to run test flights.