Parrots – known as great mimics – also have varied musical tastes and an
intense dislike of dance tunes, scientists have discovered.
While some prefer classical works and others pop tunes, scientists have
found the creatures do not like dance music.
Researchers monitored the listening preferences of a pair of African
grey parrots ( Psittacus erithacus ) – a popular pet species, and found
that while one favoured soothing "middle of the road" music, the other
opted for more upbeat, modern pop, 'The Telegraph' reported.
Birds also enjoyed rock and folk music and "danced" along, by bobbing
their heads and legs. They even "sang along", by squawking. But neither
animal appreciated electronic dance music, which left them both
distressed.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/parrots-have-personal-tastes-in-music/article4236681.ece
--
http://www.fastmail.fm - Or how I learned to stop worrying and
love email again
Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Tiny Lens That Could Stop Hearing Loss from Earbuds
You hear it all the time—your earbuds will cause hearing loss. And while
it'd be nice to shrug this off as the same old conventional wisdom that
everything fun is bad for us, it happens to be true: Prolonged use can
in fact lead to hearing loss. A clever new invention being unveiled
Friday may help keep your earbuds and your hearing—and your audio
quality—intact, without forcing you to return to an era of
Footloose-style Walkman headphones.
Read more: Ambrose Diaphonic Ear Lens - Apple iPod Earbuds Hearing Loss
- Popular Mechanics
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/med-tech/tiny-lens-could-stop-hearing-loss-from-earbuds-5760533#ixzz2FCQCTd2g
--
http://www.fastmail.fm - Does exactly what it says on the tin
it'd be nice to shrug this off as the same old conventional wisdom that
everything fun is bad for us, it happens to be true: Prolonged use can
in fact lead to hearing loss. A clever new invention being unveiled
Friday may help keep your earbuds and your hearing—and your audio
quality—intact, without forcing you to return to an era of
Footloose-style Walkman headphones.
Read more: Ambrose Diaphonic Ear Lens - Apple iPod Earbuds Hearing Loss
- Popular Mechanics
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/med-tech/tiny-lens-could-stop-hearing-loss-from-earbuds-5760533#ixzz2FCQCTd2g
--
http://www.fastmail.fm - Does exactly what it says on the tin
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Taj Mahal, origins of
From: http://www.satyashodh.com/Taj_Mahal.htm
----------------------------------------------
Taj Mahal - It is time to tell the truth.
There are many legends about the Taj Mahal. But one sentence is common
in all of them. "For the construction, 20,000 men worked for 22 years."
This is well known throughout the world. The simple question is – where
do these figures come from?
These figures come from a book Travels in India by J B Tavernier, a
French jewel merchant. He was a great adventurer who made six voyages to
India in the days of Shivaji (1638 to 1668). Tavernier says," I
witnessed the commencement and completion of this monument (Taj Mahal)
on which 20,000 men worked incessantly for 22 years."
Tavernier's book was first published in French in 1675. In those days,
it was a great adventure for a single man to travel over such a long
distance, face many difficulties, deal with peoples of many cultures and
languages, adjust to their customs and traditions, and come home safely
– that in itself was incredible. In addition Tavernier carried out a
trade in precious stones like diamonds. He completed such voyages, not
once but six times. His book was therefore a great sensation at that
time. It was naturally translated into English and during 1677 to 1811;
nine editions of the English translation were published, whereas during
the same period twenty-two editions of the French book were printed.
In 1889 Dr Ball translated the original French book into English,
corrected some mistakes in earlier translation and provided extensive
footnotes. He also studied Tavernier's movements thoroughly and provided
details of his six voyages. From this it is clear that Tavernier came to
Agra only twice – in the winter of 1640-41 and in 1665. This raises
another interesting question.
Historians say that Mumtaz, wife of Shahjahan died in 1631 and the
construction of Taj Mahal started immediately. But if that is the case
Tavernier could not have seen the commencement of Taj Mahal, as he came
to Agra nearly 10 years later.
Aurangzeb had imprisoned his father Shahjahan in the Red Fort of Agra
since 1658 and usurped power. No historian claims that Aurangzeb
completed Taj Mahal. So, Tavernier could not have seen the completion of
Taj Mahal either. And that being the case his statement that 20,000 men
worked on it incessantly is meaningless.
Why have Historians kept this truth from us for the last 117 years? The
reason is simple. It strikes at the heart of the legend.
Badshahnama – what does it say?
British Historians have proclaimed that in India, Hindu Kings had no
historical sense. Historical records were kept only by the Muslim
rulers. Fair enough, then let us turn to Badshahnama which was written
during the reign of Shahjahan. Asiatic Society of Bengal published the
Persian text of Badshahnama in two parts, part I in 1867 and part II in
1868. The compilation was done by two Maulavis, under the
superintendence of an English Major. The funny thing is that no one
quotes Badshahnama to explain how Taj Mahal was built. Why?
Elliot and Dowson, two English gentlemen undertook the formidable task
of writing history of India from the attack on Sindh by Mohammed bin
Kasim in the 8th century to the fall of Marathas in the 19th century. A
period covering some 1200 years. But it was written, based on chronicles
of Muslim rulers only. Elliot and Dowson's work was published in 8
volumes during 1867 to 1877. Volume 7 deals with the reigns of Shahjahan
and Aurangzeb. And yet in the entire volume we do not find the word 'Taj
Mahal.' The authors should have said, "Though we have presented history
of Shahjahan based on his official chronicle Badshahnama, we did not
find any reference to Taj Mahal in it." They did no such thing. And
Historians have kept even this information from us for the last 130
years.
In 1896 Khan Bahaddur Syed Muhammad Latif wrote a book entitled Agra
Historical and Descriptive. He refers to Badshahnama many times but does
not quote specific page numbers. On page 105 he says, " – The site
selected for the mausoleum was originally a palace of Raja Mansingh but
it was now the property of his grandson Raja Jaisingh." Many authors
have referred to Latif in their bibliography but have not cared to see
what he has said. This truth was also hidden away from us by our
Historians.
In 1905 H R Nevill, ICS, compiled Agra District Gazetteer. In it he
changed the words 'Raja Mansingh's Palace' to 'Raja Mansingh's piece of
land'. Ever since all historians have followed suit and repeated '
Shahjahan purchased Raja Mansingh's piece of land, at that time in the
possession of his grandson Raja Jaisingh.' This deception has been going
on for more than a century.
One may ask, "Why would an English officer be interested in playing such
a mischief?" Well if we look at the events of those times the reason is
clear cut.
1901
Viceroy Lord Curzon separated some districts from Punjab to create a
Muslim majority North West Frontier Province. Hindus became an
insignificant minority in this province and that marked the beginning of
their misfortune.
1903
Curzon declared his intention to partition Bengal to create a Muslim
majority province of East Bengal
1905
Curzon resigned but put into effect the partition of Bengal
1906
A Muslim delegation led by Agakhan called upon new Viceroy Lord Minto.
Muslims pleaded that in any political reforms they should be treated
separately and favourably. This move was obviously engineered by the
British rulers.
December – Muslim League was started in Dacca.
1909
In the Morley - Minto reforms Muslims were granted separate electorates.
We should also remember that during 1873 and 1914, some English officers
had translated into English the Persian texts of Babur-nama.
Humayun-nama,
Akbar-nama, Ain-e-Akbari and Tazuk - i - Jehangiri, but NOT Badshahnama.
Judging from above events it is obvious why Mr Nevill played the
mischief when compiling Agra District Gazetteer in 1905.
It is astonishing that though Maulavi Ahmad (History of Taj 1905) and
Sir Jadunath Sarkar (Anecdotes of Aurangzeb, 1912) repeat that Raja
Mansingh's piece of land was purchased by Shahjahan, they also provide a
reference - Badshahnama,
Volume I page 403. Strange as it may sound, no one had bothered to see
what is written on that page.
In 1964 Mr P N Oak of New Delhi started having his doubts about Taj
Mahal. He put forward an argument that it was originally a Hindu Palace.
Oak had to cross swords with many historians. One of his opponents was a
Kashmiri Pandit. Eventually they went to Government of India Archives.
At the suggestion of the Librarian there the Pandit started to read
Badshahnama, soon he came to Volume I page 403. One line read – va pesh
azin manzil-e-Raja Mansingh bood, vadari vakt ba Raja Jaisingh. He
confessed that Shahjahan took over Raja Mansingh's palace for burial of
Mumtaz. We owe so much to this honest opponent of Mr Oak. He gave word
by word translation of pages 402 and 403 to Mr Oak who promptly
published it in his book Taj Mahal is a Hindu Palace (1968). However, Mr
Oak never stated that the translation was NOT his. It was done for him
by a Persian expert. That made life of his opponents easy. They said,
"Mr Oak's translation is wrong."
I obtained Oak's book in London in 1977. I made a study for one year.
First of all I read all the references generally quoted by Historians
and writers. That was made possible by my being in England. Mr Oak did
not have that facility. All the references led to the same conclusion
that Taj Mahal is a Hindu Palace and it was NOT built by Shahjahan. My
booklet entitled – Taj Mahal : Simple Analysis of a Great Deception was
published in 1986. In 1981 while going through some references I started
suspecting that the British knew the true nature of Taj Mahal for a long
time but had deliberately suppressed the truth. Eventually my research
was published in 10 parts in the Quarterly Itihas Patrika of Thane
(India). I collected all the information available on Taj Mahal over the
200 year period from 1784 to 1984, and shown how the British suppressed
vital pieces of evidence or twisted the truth. My research continued and
was published in 1996 under the title – Taj Mahal and the Great British
Conspiracy
Taj legend exposed in England in 1980
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a reputable Institution
in London. In1980, in their monthly Journal, they published two letters
challenging the validity of usual Taj Legend. One was by Mr Oak, the
other by me. No one has refuted our arguments. Mr Oak refers to
Badshahnama, Volume I page 403. What have I disclosed in my letter?
What was Agra City like before Shahjahan came to power? That is the
question dodged by all Historians. In the 17th century, the Dutch like
the English were trying to trade in India. They had a Factory (trading
post) in Agra. Fransisco Pelsaert, was their Senior Factor (Merchant) at
Agra from 1620 to 1627. In 1626 he prepared a commercial report for his
directors in Holland. By strange coincidence, he describes Agra City at
that time. He says, "The city is narrow and long, because all the rich
and influential people have built their palaces on the river bank and
this stretches for
10 ½ miles. I will mention some of the well known ones. Starting from
the North there is the palace of Bahadur Khan, Raja Bhoj, ……. Then comes
the Red Fort.
(Pelsaert then describes the Fort) beyond it is Nakhas – a great market,
then follow the palaces of great Lords – Mirza Abdulla, Aga Naur ……
Mahabat Khan, Late Raja Mansingh, Raja Madho Singh."
English translation of this report was available since 1925. And yet no
Historian refers to it. Why? The reason is simple. In 1626 Pelsaert has
said that 10 ½ mile stretch of the river-bank was full of palaces, Late
Raja Mansingh's Palace being the last but one. Badshahnama says that
Shahjahan took over this palace for burying his wife Mumtaz. Thus what
we call Taj Mahal today is nothing but Late Raja Mansingh's Palace. That
is the truth which Historians have kept away from us.
My efforts had one effect. In 1982 Archaeological Survey of India,
published a booklet entitled – Taj Museum. Though the authors repeat the
usual legend they say, " Mumtaz died in Burhanpur and was buried there.
Six months later Shahjahan exhumed her body and sent her coffin to Agra,
on that site until then stood Late Raja Mansingh's Palace…… "
Today that palace is called Taj Mahal. Nothing could be simpler. What
building work is needed for burying a corpse in a Palace?
Dr V S Godbole
April 2007
14 Turnberry Walk
Akshaya Tritiya
Bedford
MK41, 8AZ
U.K.
=================
* Marvin H Mills writings:
(Under http://marvinhmills.com/writings.html)
http://marvinhmills.com/writings/AN%20ARCHITECT%20LOOKS%20AT%20THE%20TAJ%20MAHAL%20LEGEND.pdf
Dr VS Godbole's book:
http://marvinhmills.com/writings/Godbole%20book%20on%20Taj.pdf
====
----------------------------------------------
Taj Mahal - It is time to tell the truth.
There are many legends about the Taj Mahal. But one sentence is common
in all of them. "For the construction, 20,000 men worked for 22 years."
This is well known throughout the world. The simple question is – where
do these figures come from?
These figures come from a book Travels in India by J B Tavernier, a
French jewel merchant. He was a great adventurer who made six voyages to
India in the days of Shivaji (1638 to 1668). Tavernier says," I
witnessed the commencement and completion of this monument (Taj Mahal)
on which 20,000 men worked incessantly for 22 years."
Tavernier's book was first published in French in 1675. In those days,
it was a great adventure for a single man to travel over such a long
distance, face many difficulties, deal with peoples of many cultures and
languages, adjust to their customs and traditions, and come home safely
– that in itself was incredible. In addition Tavernier carried out a
trade in precious stones like diamonds. He completed such voyages, not
once but six times. His book was therefore a great sensation at that
time. It was naturally translated into English and during 1677 to 1811;
nine editions of the English translation were published, whereas during
the same period twenty-two editions of the French book were printed.
In 1889 Dr Ball translated the original French book into English,
corrected some mistakes in earlier translation and provided extensive
footnotes. He also studied Tavernier's movements thoroughly and provided
details of his six voyages. From this it is clear that Tavernier came to
Agra only twice – in the winter of 1640-41 and in 1665. This raises
another interesting question.
Historians say that Mumtaz, wife of Shahjahan died in 1631 and the
construction of Taj Mahal started immediately. But if that is the case
Tavernier could not have seen the commencement of Taj Mahal, as he came
to Agra nearly 10 years later.
Aurangzeb had imprisoned his father Shahjahan in the Red Fort of Agra
since 1658 and usurped power. No historian claims that Aurangzeb
completed Taj Mahal. So, Tavernier could not have seen the completion of
Taj Mahal either. And that being the case his statement that 20,000 men
worked on it incessantly is meaningless.
Why have Historians kept this truth from us for the last 117 years? The
reason is simple. It strikes at the heart of the legend.
Badshahnama – what does it say?
British Historians have proclaimed that in India, Hindu Kings had no
historical sense. Historical records were kept only by the Muslim
rulers. Fair enough, then let us turn to Badshahnama which was written
during the reign of Shahjahan. Asiatic Society of Bengal published the
Persian text of Badshahnama in two parts, part I in 1867 and part II in
1868. The compilation was done by two Maulavis, under the
superintendence of an English Major. The funny thing is that no one
quotes Badshahnama to explain how Taj Mahal was built. Why?
Elliot and Dowson, two English gentlemen undertook the formidable task
of writing history of India from the attack on Sindh by Mohammed bin
Kasim in the 8th century to the fall of Marathas in the 19th century. A
period covering some 1200 years. But it was written, based on chronicles
of Muslim rulers only. Elliot and Dowson's work was published in 8
volumes during 1867 to 1877. Volume 7 deals with the reigns of Shahjahan
and Aurangzeb. And yet in the entire volume we do not find the word 'Taj
Mahal.' The authors should have said, "Though we have presented history
of Shahjahan based on his official chronicle Badshahnama, we did not
find any reference to Taj Mahal in it." They did no such thing. And
Historians have kept even this information from us for the last 130
years.
In 1896 Khan Bahaddur Syed Muhammad Latif wrote a book entitled Agra
Historical and Descriptive. He refers to Badshahnama many times but does
not quote specific page numbers. On page 105 he says, " – The site
selected for the mausoleum was originally a palace of Raja Mansingh but
it was now the property of his grandson Raja Jaisingh." Many authors
have referred to Latif in their bibliography but have not cared to see
what he has said. This truth was also hidden away from us by our
Historians.
In 1905 H R Nevill, ICS, compiled Agra District Gazetteer. In it he
changed the words 'Raja Mansingh's Palace' to 'Raja Mansingh's piece of
land'. Ever since all historians have followed suit and repeated '
Shahjahan purchased Raja Mansingh's piece of land, at that time in the
possession of his grandson Raja Jaisingh.' This deception has been going
on for more than a century.
One may ask, "Why would an English officer be interested in playing such
a mischief?" Well if we look at the events of those times the reason is
clear cut.
1901
Viceroy Lord Curzon separated some districts from Punjab to create a
Muslim majority North West Frontier Province. Hindus became an
insignificant minority in this province and that marked the beginning of
their misfortune.
1903
Curzon declared his intention to partition Bengal to create a Muslim
majority province of East Bengal
1905
Curzon resigned but put into effect the partition of Bengal
1906
A Muslim delegation led by Agakhan called upon new Viceroy Lord Minto.
Muslims pleaded that in any political reforms they should be treated
separately and favourably. This move was obviously engineered by the
British rulers.
December – Muslim League was started in Dacca.
1909
In the Morley - Minto reforms Muslims were granted separate electorates.
We should also remember that during 1873 and 1914, some English officers
had translated into English the Persian texts of Babur-nama.
Humayun-nama,
Akbar-nama, Ain-e-Akbari and Tazuk - i - Jehangiri, but NOT Badshahnama.
Judging from above events it is obvious why Mr Nevill played the
mischief when compiling Agra District Gazetteer in 1905.
It is astonishing that though Maulavi Ahmad (History of Taj 1905) and
Sir Jadunath Sarkar (Anecdotes of Aurangzeb, 1912) repeat that Raja
Mansingh's piece of land was purchased by Shahjahan, they also provide a
reference - Badshahnama,
Volume I page 403. Strange as it may sound, no one had bothered to see
what is written on that page.
In 1964 Mr P N Oak of New Delhi started having his doubts about Taj
Mahal. He put forward an argument that it was originally a Hindu Palace.
Oak had to cross swords with many historians. One of his opponents was a
Kashmiri Pandit. Eventually they went to Government of India Archives.
At the suggestion of the Librarian there the Pandit started to read
Badshahnama, soon he came to Volume I page 403. One line read – va pesh
azin manzil-e-Raja Mansingh bood, vadari vakt ba Raja Jaisingh. He
confessed that Shahjahan took over Raja Mansingh's palace for burial of
Mumtaz. We owe so much to this honest opponent of Mr Oak. He gave word
by word translation of pages 402 and 403 to Mr Oak who promptly
published it in his book Taj Mahal is a Hindu Palace (1968). However, Mr
Oak never stated that the translation was NOT his. It was done for him
by a Persian expert. That made life of his opponents easy. They said,
"Mr Oak's translation is wrong."
I obtained Oak's book in London in 1977. I made a study for one year.
First of all I read all the references generally quoted by Historians
and writers. That was made possible by my being in England. Mr Oak did
not have that facility. All the references led to the same conclusion
that Taj Mahal is a Hindu Palace and it was NOT built by Shahjahan. My
booklet entitled – Taj Mahal : Simple Analysis of a Great Deception was
published in 1986. In 1981 while going through some references I started
suspecting that the British knew the true nature of Taj Mahal for a long
time but had deliberately suppressed the truth. Eventually my research
was published in 10 parts in the Quarterly Itihas Patrika of Thane
(India). I collected all the information available on Taj Mahal over the
200 year period from 1784 to 1984, and shown how the British suppressed
vital pieces of evidence or twisted the truth. My research continued and
was published in 1996 under the title – Taj Mahal and the Great British
Conspiracy
Taj legend exposed in England in 1980
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a reputable Institution
in London. In1980, in their monthly Journal, they published two letters
challenging the validity of usual Taj Legend. One was by Mr Oak, the
other by me. No one has refuted our arguments. Mr Oak refers to
Badshahnama, Volume I page 403. What have I disclosed in my letter?
What was Agra City like before Shahjahan came to power? That is the
question dodged by all Historians. In the 17th century, the Dutch like
the English were trying to trade in India. They had a Factory (trading
post) in Agra. Fransisco Pelsaert, was their Senior Factor (Merchant) at
Agra from 1620 to 1627. In 1626 he prepared a commercial report for his
directors in Holland. By strange coincidence, he describes Agra City at
that time. He says, "The city is narrow and long, because all the rich
and influential people have built their palaces on the river bank and
this stretches for
10 ½ miles. I will mention some of the well known ones. Starting from
the North there is the palace of Bahadur Khan, Raja Bhoj, ……. Then comes
the Red Fort.
(Pelsaert then describes the Fort) beyond it is Nakhas – a great market,
then follow the palaces of great Lords – Mirza Abdulla, Aga Naur ……
Mahabat Khan, Late Raja Mansingh, Raja Madho Singh."
English translation of this report was available since 1925. And yet no
Historian refers to it. Why? The reason is simple. In 1626 Pelsaert has
said that 10 ½ mile stretch of the river-bank was full of palaces, Late
Raja Mansingh's Palace being the last but one. Badshahnama says that
Shahjahan took over this palace for burying his wife Mumtaz. Thus what
we call Taj Mahal today is nothing but Late Raja Mansingh's Palace. That
is the truth which Historians have kept away from us.
My efforts had one effect. In 1982 Archaeological Survey of India,
published a booklet entitled – Taj Museum. Though the authors repeat the
usual legend they say, " Mumtaz died in Burhanpur and was buried there.
Six months later Shahjahan exhumed her body and sent her coffin to Agra,
on that site until then stood Late Raja Mansingh's Palace…… "
Today that palace is called Taj Mahal. Nothing could be simpler. What
building work is needed for burying a corpse in a Palace?
Dr V S Godbole
April 2007
14 Turnberry Walk
Akshaya Tritiya
Bedford
MK41, 8AZ
U.K.
=================
* Marvin H Mills writings:
(Under http://marvinhmills.com/writings.html)
http://marvinhmills.com/writings/AN%20ARCHITECT%20LOOKS%20AT%20THE%20TAJ%20MAHAL%20LEGEND.pdf
Dr VS Godbole's book:
http://marvinhmills.com/writings/Godbole%20book%20on%20Taj.pdf
====
Friday, December 14, 2012
Scientists image individual bonds between atoms
Leo Gross is a scientist working in the same IBM Zurich lab that imaged
the first atom, for which the Nobel Prize was later awarded to IBM
Fellows Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer (with German physicist Ernst
Ruska).
Now Gross has one-upped his colleagues by leading the IBM team that has
zoomed in to image individual bonds between atoms for the first time.
The ability to image each bond between adjacent atoms will simplify the
development of new materials as well as allow scientists to unravel the
structure of unknown compounds found in nature.
Over the next decade, Gross' research could result in the development of
new organic materials that revolutionize solar cells, light-emitting
diodes (OLEDs) and carbon-based semiconductors like graphene. Gross
realized the world's first images on individual atomic bonds with Fabian
Mohn, Nikolaj Moll, Bruno Schuler, and Gerhard Meyer at IBM, and with
Alejandro Criado, Enrique Guitián and Diego Peña at the Universidade de
Santiago de Compostela, as well as André Gourdon at CNRS, in Toulouse
Cedex, France.
--
http://www.fastmail.fm - Access all of your messages and folders
wherever you are
the first atom, for which the Nobel Prize was later awarded to IBM
Fellows Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer (with German physicist Ernst
Ruska).
Now Gross has one-upped his colleagues by leading the IBM team that has
zoomed in to image individual bonds between atoms for the first time.
The ability to image each bond between adjacent atoms will simplify the
development of new materials as well as allow scientists to unravel the
structure of unknown compounds found in nature.
Over the next decade, Gross' research could result in the development of
new organic materials that revolutionize solar cells, light-emitting
diodes (OLEDs) and carbon-based semiconductors like graphene. Gross
realized the world's first images on individual atomic bonds with Fabian
Mohn, Nikolaj Moll, Bruno Schuler, and Gerhard Meyer at IBM, and with
Alejandro Criado, Enrique Guitián and Diego Peña at the Universidade de
Santiago de Compostela, as well as André Gourdon at CNRS, in Toulouse
Cedex, France.
--
http://www.fastmail.fm - Access all of your messages and folders
wherever you are
Michael Goldfarb- Mechatronics in smart prosthetics
EE Times 40th: 10 electronics visionaries to watch
R. Colin Johnson
11/7/2012 5:38 AM EST
Michael Goldfarb-Vanderbilt
Michael Goldfarb, principle investigator at the Center for Intelligent
Mechatronics (here with his robotic hand) is pioneering smart
prosthetics that use micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) chips to
sense orientation and microcontrollers to mimic the natural actions of
human limbs. His crown jewel, so far, is a smart prosthetic leg driven
by two motors--one for the knee joint and one the ankle joint--resulting
in accurate motion control that restores a range of motion comparable to
that of real legs.
The key to smart prosthetics, according to Goldfarb, is algorithms that
anticipate the next step. His first recipient, 16-year old Craig Hutto
who made national headlines fighting off a shark attack during a trip to
the Gulf Coast in Florida, but lost his leg in the process, now says his
biggest problem is getting his natural leg to keep up with the pace set
by Goldfarb's bionic leg.
Freedom Innovations has since licensed Goldfarb's design, which aims to
revolutionize smart prosthetics. Goldfarb is also working on smart
powered exoskeletons that restore a normal gait to patients with spinal
cord injuries.
--
http://www.fastmail.fm - Send your email first class
R. Colin Johnson
11/7/2012 5:38 AM EST
Michael Goldfarb-Vanderbilt
Michael Goldfarb, principle investigator at the Center for Intelligent
Mechatronics (here with his robotic hand) is pioneering smart
prosthetics that use micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) chips to
sense orientation and microcontrollers to mimic the natural actions of
human limbs. His crown jewel, so far, is a smart prosthetic leg driven
by two motors--one for the knee joint and one the ankle joint--resulting
in accurate motion control that restores a range of motion comparable to
that of real legs.
The key to smart prosthetics, according to Goldfarb, is algorithms that
anticipate the next step. His first recipient, 16-year old Craig Hutto
who made national headlines fighting off a shark attack during a trip to
the Gulf Coast in Florida, but lost his leg in the process, now says his
biggest problem is getting his natural leg to keep up with the pace set
by Goldfarb's bionic leg.
Freedom Innovations has since licensed Goldfarb's design, which aims to
revolutionize smart prosthetics. Goldfarb is also working on smart
powered exoskeletons that restore a normal gait to patients with spinal
cord injuries.
--
http://www.fastmail.fm - Send your email first class
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