02-10-2012, 05:00 PM
BIONICS
BIONICS.doc (Size: 321.5 KB / Downloads: 42)
INTRODUCTION:
The human body is one of the best creations of nature, it is an amazing combinations of muscles, sensory organs, neural networks et al. But, over a period of time and also due to some unforeseen circumstances, some of these natural combinations cease to work to their potential, or to get damaged altogether .Now it has become possible to get back the glory bestowed on us by Mother nature. But now it’s possible to graft a human organ and restore sensory perceptions to the human body. A major field working towards this ‘BIONICS’.
It termed as an interdisciplinary approach where different technologies are coming together to make this scenario possible.
It popularly referred as Bionics or Biomimetics is the application of methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology .In simple terms, it is generally about prosthetic arms or leg enhancements that are worn outside the body and, to some extent, even implanted sensor devices inside the body, which are specifically enhanced to carry out routine tasks. These are essentially life systems that are powered by motors/actuators and sensory arrays .
DEVELOPMENTS:
But efforts can be made to restore or reconstruct a damaged human body .The history if Bionics begin from ancient mythological times, where soldiers were reported to have replaced their mutilated limbs with artificial ones made of iron ore and gone out to battle .But the present day scenario is influenced by a variety of disciplines, viz.. Robotics, Bioengineering and MEMS, with nanotechnology taking centre stage because it applies detailed precision to engineer body organs and make them function along with human tissues.
The last few decades have been wonderful years for technological advances, both for the medical and the electronics industry in the form of miniaturized electronic components, sophisticated microchips and advanced computer systems – all functionally embedded in the human body. This particular human-to-machine interface, termed as ‘Cyborg entities’ or ‘bionic bodies’, has helped people with physical disabilities by providing them with artificial limbs, cochlear implants, artificial muscles and other organs to perform tasks, enabling them to lead a notably better lifestyle.
ARTIFICIAL MUSCLES:
The human body without muscles will be dangling skeleton. So in case of damaged muscles there a possibility of generating new muscles altogether. One such scenario is the use of EAP or Electro active Polymers. These are often referred to as artificial muscles and are increasingly being used by researchers to assist humans to overcome deformities. Yoseph bar Cohen of NASA’s has found that these polymers respond exactly like our normal muscles
Under the influence of electrical stimulation and therefore are the most likely candidates for use in human body as well as robotic areas of works. Yoseph Bar Cohen was able to proof that with further improvement in technology .EAP could one day actually emulate biological muscles. There is one more interesting capability of EAP it can be coupled with MEMS to produce smart actuators.
ARTIFICIAL HEART:
Our heart is like the engine of the body pumping blood to various organs and keeping us alive .Artificial development on heart started around the 1950s when pacemakers were introduced that allowed people with heart problems some respite. Current pacemakers are tiny. In the technical sense, a pacemaker is a miniaturized electrical generator that consist of battery can last a number of years and a computer circuit neatly encased in plastic. This generates tiny electrical pulses to the heart and regulates the rhythm of the heartbeat, while a doctor controls the software for the pacemaker .Any problems and he gets a signal altering him to, rectify it immediately embedded intelligence . But a completely artificial heart has been developed. The Abiocor heart, developed by Abiomed has been successfully implanted in many patients and has also helped to prolong life for almost up to six months .The patients who receive artificial hearts are those who are on their deathbeds, with typically not more than 15-20 days of life expectancy.
SENSORY PERCEPTION:
(Bionic eyes and ears)
The human eye is made up of millions of rods and cones that enable sight .These have the capability of converting light to electrical impulses, which travel along the optic nerve to the brain where images are formed .But due to diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) the healthy tissues deteriorate and over a period of time a person can become blind .But as the optic nerve is intact it restore vision to people suffering from such eye diseases. Working on nanoscale dimensions, the artificial silicon retina(ASR) developed by Optobionics,lllinois is very tiny microchip with a diameter of just 2mm and thickness of 25microns.This fits inside the eye and has an amazing 5,000 microscopic solar cells, called micro photodiodes, each with its own individual stimulating electrode .These micro photodiodes act as light sensors that help convert the light energy entering their eye into electrical impulses that stimulate the remaining functional cells of retina , enabling the person a certain amount of vision.
COCHLEAR IMPLANTS:
The human ear consists of numerable hair cells that enable hearing, but when these are damaged, the sound output from the auditory nerves does not reach the brain and a cochlear implant is the only solution for the loss .The implant has a sizeable number of electrodes that replicate the function of hair cells, thereby enabling the hearing frequency and this sound information is passed on to the brain. Research scientists are perfecting a bionic ear coated in a smart plastic that would boost the growth of nerve cells in the inner ear when it’s zapped with electricity .To get the best sound output for the device, the researchers are using a polymer called polypyrrole, as it has conducting properties. It can even act as biosensors artificial muscles and b useful to generate solar energy, besides acting as a host structure for molecules to stimulate nerve re-growth.
BIONICS.doc (Size: 321.5 KB / Downloads: 42)
INTRODUCTION:
The human body is one of the best creations of nature, it is an amazing combinations of muscles, sensory organs, neural networks et al. But, over a period of time and also due to some unforeseen circumstances, some of these natural combinations cease to work to their potential, or to get damaged altogether .Now it has become possible to get back the glory bestowed on us by Mother nature. But now it’s possible to graft a human organ and restore sensory perceptions to the human body. A major field working towards this ‘BIONICS’.
It termed as an interdisciplinary approach where different technologies are coming together to make this scenario possible.
It popularly referred as Bionics or Biomimetics is the application of methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology .In simple terms, it is generally about prosthetic arms or leg enhancements that are worn outside the body and, to some extent, even implanted sensor devices inside the body, which are specifically enhanced to carry out routine tasks. These are essentially life systems that are powered by motors/actuators and sensory arrays .
DEVELOPMENTS:
But efforts can be made to restore or reconstruct a damaged human body .The history if Bionics begin from ancient mythological times, where soldiers were reported to have replaced their mutilated limbs with artificial ones made of iron ore and gone out to battle .But the present day scenario is influenced by a variety of disciplines, viz.. Robotics, Bioengineering and MEMS, with nanotechnology taking centre stage because it applies detailed precision to engineer body organs and make them function along with human tissues.
The last few decades have been wonderful years for technological advances, both for the medical and the electronics industry in the form of miniaturized electronic components, sophisticated microchips and advanced computer systems – all functionally embedded in the human body. This particular human-to-machine interface, termed as ‘Cyborg entities’ or ‘bionic bodies’, has helped people with physical disabilities by providing them with artificial limbs, cochlear implants, artificial muscles and other organs to perform tasks, enabling them to lead a notably better lifestyle.
ARTIFICIAL MUSCLES:
The human body without muscles will be dangling skeleton. So in case of damaged muscles there a possibility of generating new muscles altogether. One such scenario is the use of EAP or Electro active Polymers. These are often referred to as artificial muscles and are increasingly being used by researchers to assist humans to overcome deformities. Yoseph bar Cohen of NASA’s has found that these polymers respond exactly like our normal muscles
Under the influence of electrical stimulation and therefore are the most likely candidates for use in human body as well as robotic areas of works. Yoseph Bar Cohen was able to proof that with further improvement in technology .EAP could one day actually emulate biological muscles. There is one more interesting capability of EAP it can be coupled with MEMS to produce smart actuators.
ARTIFICIAL HEART:
Our heart is like the engine of the body pumping blood to various organs and keeping us alive .Artificial development on heart started around the 1950s when pacemakers were introduced that allowed people with heart problems some respite. Current pacemakers are tiny. In the technical sense, a pacemaker is a miniaturized electrical generator that consist of battery can last a number of years and a computer circuit neatly encased in plastic. This generates tiny electrical pulses to the heart and regulates the rhythm of the heartbeat, while a doctor controls the software for the pacemaker .Any problems and he gets a signal altering him to, rectify it immediately embedded intelligence . But a completely artificial heart has been developed. The Abiocor heart, developed by Abiomed has been successfully implanted in many patients and has also helped to prolong life for almost up to six months .The patients who receive artificial hearts are those who are on their deathbeds, with typically not more than 15-20 days of life expectancy.
SENSORY PERCEPTION:
(Bionic eyes and ears)
The human eye is made up of millions of rods and cones that enable sight .These have the capability of converting light to electrical impulses, which travel along the optic nerve to the brain where images are formed .But due to diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) the healthy tissues deteriorate and over a period of time a person can become blind .But as the optic nerve is intact it restore vision to people suffering from such eye diseases. Working on nanoscale dimensions, the artificial silicon retina(ASR) developed by Optobionics,lllinois is very tiny microchip with a diameter of just 2mm and thickness of 25microns.This fits inside the eye and has an amazing 5,000 microscopic solar cells, called micro photodiodes, each with its own individual stimulating electrode .These micro photodiodes act as light sensors that help convert the light energy entering their eye into electrical impulses that stimulate the remaining functional cells of retina , enabling the person a certain amount of vision.
COCHLEAR IMPLANTS:
The human ear consists of numerable hair cells that enable hearing, but when these are damaged, the sound output from the auditory nerves does not reach the brain and a cochlear implant is the only solution for the loss .The implant has a sizeable number of electrodes that replicate the function of hair cells, thereby enabling the hearing frequency and this sound information is passed on to the brain. Research scientists are perfecting a bionic ear coated in a smart plastic that would boost the growth of nerve cells in the inner ear when it’s zapped with electricity .To get the best sound output for the device, the researchers are using a polymer called polypyrrole, as it has conducting properties. It can even act as biosensors artificial muscles and b useful to generate solar energy, besides acting as a host structure for molecules to stimulate nerve re-growth.