Scientific Adventures: The age of cybernetics is upon us
This week we look into the next
generation of real-life cybernetic research,
while the international rocket
scene is getting some high profile
attention, thanks to Kim Jong-un.
First non-invasive cybernetic implants helping humans walk again
University of Melbourne researchers funded by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have found a way to help those suffering from spinal cord injuries and amputations, without the need for brain surgery.
The stentrode, as it was nicknamed, is a revolutionary, non-invasive tool composed of nitinol, a nickel titanium alloy. Nitinol is known for its ability to change shape after being subjected to certain temperature ranges and its extreme elasticity; changing shape is a must when sitting in flexible blood vessels.
The device is important because current brain wave measuring devices need to be implanted directly into the brain, allowing for a significant infection risk, only increasing the longer the device stays implanted.
With the stentrode, not only was there minimal risk of infection due to the material of the device, but it also performed more accurately the longer it was implanted.
Initially inserted via a catheter through the leg, the matchstick- sized device’s final destination is the superficial cortical vein, located close to the motor cortex, the region of the brain associating with muscle control.
The stentrode is based on a stent: a permanent device more commonly used for repairing collapsed veins and arteries by reopening and a strengthening them.
The device has electrodes as part of its design, allowing it to pick up specific electric signals that transmit for muscle movement.
This data is then sent to a computer, which matches it to a massive database of previous spinal cord and amputees’ brain waves, sending the new information to a prosthetic limb or, as the researchers hope when human trials begin in 2017, exoskeletons allowing the patients to walk again.
With DARPA having given the initial funding for this project though, it’s not too far of a stretch to consider that the technology could be adapted for controlling “drone” soldiers in the battlefield.
Brain cells shown to grow easily on graphene surface
A team of Italian researchers have found that graphene can be grafted onto existing neurons in the brain, without the cells rejecting nanoparticles.
The find could make neural electrodes, currently used for patients suffering from paralysis or a degenerative brain disease such as Parkinson’s, the ability to again communicate or gain movement skills.
Current neural electrodes are made using tungsten filament or silicon, and while both are effective, they also have some major drawbacks. When these implants are grafted into a patient’s brain, there is an eventual build-up of tissue around them, called a glial scar.
This is an inflammatory response where the tissue causes the electrode’s signal output to drop by as much as half.
The researchers coated graphene surfaces with various proteins found in the human body, then cultured a number of different brain cell types onto them.
Contrary to their hypothesis, they found that the protein-coated tests were less effective at allowing neuronal cell adhesion to the graphene surface, weakening the electrical signal.
This is important for production, as less time and money will be needed to make the graphene ready for implantation as a neurosensor or neuroprosthetic device.
Graphene, the two dimensional form of carbon atoms shaped into a honeycomb lattice, is currently used in a dizzying number of applications, due to it being chemically inert and having a low toxicity and unique electrical characteristics.
North Korea launches satellite
On Feb. 7, rocket scientists from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched the Unha-3, or Milky Way 3, rocket from the Sohae Space Center in North Korea, carrying the Kwangmyongsong-4, meaning bright star, Earth observation satellite.
Officials from North Korea stated the satellite will be in operation for four years, while the international community quickly condemned the launch, linking it to the countries criticized Jan. 6 atomic weapons test.
The two tests, only a month apart, were seen by many in the international community as a provocation by North Korea, moving closer to the goal of a nuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), capable of reaching target thousands of miles away.
North Korean officials state the tests are merely their rightful steps in acquiring and harnessing nuclear energy for electrical power purposes, and attempts to assert themselves in the growing pantheon of countries with satellites in Earth’s orbit.
The rocket’s first stage destroyed itself after decoupling, causing officials to initially believe a failure in the launch, but it was later determined this was done intentionally with an explosive device, in an attempt to stop outsiders from gaining information on the regimes’ scientific progress.
While early reports suggested the Bright Star-4 satellite was tumbling through orbit after launch, making signal transmission nearly impossible, U.S. officials have now stated the satellite is in fact stabilized and is a sun-synchronous orbit, meaning it passes over the same spot on the Earth at the same time every day.
Next week we’ll take a look at a ground-breaking discovery relating to Einstein’s 100-year-old prediction, and how the alternative to BPA-free plastic is doing the same harm to your body.
First non-invasive cybernetic implants helping humans walk again
University of Melbourne researchers funded by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have found a way to help those suffering from spinal cord injuries and amputations, without the need for brain surgery.
The stentrode, as it was nicknamed, is a revolutionary, non-invasive tool composed of nitinol, a nickel titanium alloy. Nitinol is known for its ability to change shape after being subjected to certain temperature ranges and its extreme elasticity; changing shape is a must when sitting in flexible blood vessels.
The device is important because current brain wave measuring devices need to be implanted directly into the brain, allowing for a significant infection risk, only increasing the longer the device stays implanted.
With the stentrode, not only was there minimal risk of infection due to the material of the device, but it also performed more accurately the longer it was implanted.
Initially inserted via a catheter through the leg, the matchstick- sized device’s final destination is the superficial cortical vein, located close to the motor cortex, the region of the brain associating with muscle control.
The stentrode is based on a stent: a permanent device more commonly used for repairing collapsed veins and arteries by reopening and a strengthening them.
The device has electrodes as part of its design, allowing it to pick up specific electric signals that transmit for muscle movement.
This data is then sent to a computer, which matches it to a massive database of previous spinal cord and amputees’ brain waves, sending the new information to a prosthetic limb or, as the researchers hope when human trials begin in 2017, exoskeletons allowing the patients to walk again.
With DARPA having given the initial funding for this project though, it’s not too far of a stretch to consider that the technology could be adapted for controlling “drone” soldiers in the battlefield.
Brain cells shown to grow easily on graphene surface
A team of Italian researchers have found that graphene can be grafted onto existing neurons in the brain, without the cells rejecting nanoparticles.
The find could make neural electrodes, currently used for patients suffering from paralysis or a degenerative brain disease such as Parkinson’s, the ability to again communicate or gain movement skills.
Current neural electrodes are made using tungsten filament or silicon, and while both are effective, they also have some major drawbacks. When these implants are grafted into a patient’s brain, there is an eventual build-up of tissue around them, called a glial scar.
This is an inflammatory response where the tissue causes the electrode’s signal output to drop by as much as half.
The researchers coated graphene surfaces with various proteins found in the human body, then cultured a number of different brain cell types onto them.
Contrary to their hypothesis, they found that the protein-coated tests were less effective at allowing neuronal cell adhesion to the graphene surface, weakening the electrical signal.
This is important for production, as less time and money will be needed to make the graphene ready for implantation as a neurosensor or neuroprosthetic device.
Graphene, the two dimensional form of carbon atoms shaped into a honeycomb lattice, is currently used in a dizzying number of applications, due to it being chemically inert and having a low toxicity and unique electrical characteristics.
North Korea launches satellite
On Feb. 7, rocket scientists from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched the Unha-3, or Milky Way 3, rocket from the Sohae Space Center in North Korea, carrying the Kwangmyongsong-4, meaning bright star, Earth observation satellite.
Officials from North Korea stated the satellite will be in operation for four years, while the international community quickly condemned the launch, linking it to the countries criticized Jan. 6 atomic weapons test.
The two tests, only a month apart, were seen by many in the international community as a provocation by North Korea, moving closer to the goal of a nuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), capable of reaching target thousands of miles away.
North Korean officials state the tests are merely their rightful steps in acquiring and harnessing nuclear energy for electrical power purposes, and attempts to assert themselves in the growing pantheon of countries with satellites in Earth’s orbit.
The rocket’s first stage destroyed itself after decoupling, causing officials to initially believe a failure in the launch, but it was later determined this was done intentionally with an explosive device, in an attempt to stop outsiders from gaining information on the regimes’ scientific progress.
While early reports suggested the Bright Star-4 satellite was tumbling through orbit after launch, making signal transmission nearly impossible, U.S. officials have now stated the satellite is in fact stabilized and is a sun-synchronous orbit, meaning it passes over the same spot on the Earth at the same time every day.
Next week we’ll take a look at a ground-breaking discovery relating to Einstein’s 100-year-old prediction, and how the alternative to BPA-free plastic is doing the same harm to your body.
