Mother Nature is a great innovator. In fact, one might argue that some of today’s most efficient technologies were not engineered, but rather, exist in nature as the byproducts of a little process called evolution.

As such, it comes as no surprise that scientists sometimes look to nature as a source of inspiration for their next innovations. One example that comes to mind is Rice University’s Project Squid Skin. This four-year, $6 million grant from the Office of Naval Research aims to develop “metamaterials” that emulate the camouflage techniques of a class of animals called cephalopods (which includes squid, octopus, and cuttlefish). Researchers plan to use patterns of organized nanostructures to create sheets of materials that can change colors quickly and “see” light in the same way that squid skins do.

Meanwhile, scientists at the University of Southampton are developing an underwater sonar device that would be able to detect objects through bubble clouds that normally scatter sound and clutter the sonar image. The inspiration for this research? Dolphins, which have been observed to create bubble nets that outsmart manmade sonar. “It occurred to me that either dolphins were blinding their sonar when making such nets, or else they have a better sonar system,” said Professor Timothy Leighton of the University’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR). Not a bad point.

Of course, marine life isn’t the only sector of the animal kingdom capable of setting exciting new technologies in motion. A German bionics company, Festo, designed a Bionic Handling Assistant (robotic arm) that was inspired by the elephant’s trunk. According to the company, the system could be useful for medical technology, rehabilitation, and in industrial environments. Not too shabby for an animal sometimes referred to as “Dumbo.”

Techs of the Week: Torque and Liquid Level Sensors

The Magtorque sensor provides a simple, low-cost means to monitor torque on rotating elements. It uses a small and magnetoelastic sensor attached to the shaft that is monitored remotely via an inductive pickup. It provides sensitive and repeatable measurements of applied torque without direct physical contact.
More information here.

An optical liquid level sensor eliminates the need for encapsulation material to seal the light source, detector, and associated wire bonds within the assembly. Without thermal expansion and contraction of encapsulating material, the operating temperature range is significantly extended. The sensor uses a semiconductor light source and is suitable for extreme operating environments such as industrial, commercial, military, or aerospace.
More information here.

The Technologies of the Week describe inventions offered for license through the yet2.com marketplace. Search over $2.5 billion of licensable technologies at www.yet2.com.

System Detects Hazardous Materials Released in Aircraft Cabins

Researchers at Purdue University are developing a system that uses
mathematical models and sensors to locate passengers releasing hazardous materials or pathogens inside airline cabins. The research has shown that the technique can track a substance to an area the size of a single seat.

The technique, called “inverse simulation,” analyzes how a material disperses throughout the cabin and then runs the dispersion in reverse to find its origin. Sensors track the airflow pattern and collect data related to factors such as temperature, velocity, and concentration of gases and particles in the air.

According to the researchers, the technique might enable officials to identify passengers responsible for the unintentional release of germs, such as contagious viruses, or the intentional release of pathogens or chemical agents in a terrorist attack.

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A device developed at Queen’s University (Canada) provides a unique way for advertisers to track the effectiveness of their messages by measuring how many people are looking at their billboards and screens. Called eyebox2(TM), the portable device uses a camera that monitors eye movements in real time and automatically detects when you are looking at it from up to 10 meters away, without calibration.

“This camera mimics eye contact perception in humans, allowing us to pinpoint quite accurately what plasma screen or product shelf people are looking at,” says Dr. Roel Vertegaal, director of the Human Media Laboratory at Queen’s and inventor of the technology.

The technology reflects a novel approach to human-computer interactions. The focus of the research is on making everyday devices more attentive to their users by “sensing” when it is appropriate to interact with them. The current research focuses on advertising applications, but future potential uses include attentive computers, cellphones, and household appliances.

For more information, click here.