Remote, Dexterous Manipulator for Real-time Extension of Human Tactile Function

An international team led by APL has developed a prototype of the first fully integrated prosthetic arm that can be controlled naturally, provides sensory feedback and allows nine degrees of freedom—a level of control far beyond the current state of the art for prosthetic limbs.

This device is a monitoring unit and an
arrangement of physiological sensors that work in conjunction to inspect vehicles, personnel and equipment from a distance that is safe from attack by explosives or gunfire.

Flexible electronics offer advantages in their ruggedness, lightweight and compact size and low power consumption. This method of making
flexible microelectronics includes a new process for multi-layer, thin-film substrates that are thinner and have a higher interconnect density than today’s commercially available materials. Their many potential uses include smart cards, active circuit appliqués and highly miniaturized and implantable biomedical devices.

This electronic DNA-sensing method could make it easier and more efficient to detect bacteria such as Bacillus anthracis, the dangerous pathogen that causes anthrax. The system, still in testing, requires none of the florescent dyes or optical readout equipment found in similar technologies. Its designers aim to make it small, robust and portable.

2324

CollabSpace—An Advanced Geospatial Collaboration Environment

Originally designed to enhance situational awareness during command and control operations, this software tool combines several unique aspects to deliver a superior chatting environment, including 3D display, basic and advanced chat options, geospatial, shared whiteboards, shared views and Web service export of collaboration artifacts.

2423

Finite Element Model of a 5th Percentile Male Human Torso

To support efforts to understand and provide protection from ballistic impact, APL has developed a finite element model of the human thorax complete with musculoskeletal structure (ribs, sternum, vertebral column, intercostal muscles and skin) and internal organs including the heart, liver, lungs, stomach and kidneys.

2419

Cost-Effective Precision Stabilized 2-Axis Gimbal Using Sensor Inertial Measurement Unit

This balanced, two-axis, actuated gimbal system for pointing sensors, cameras and directional speakers and microphones, especially those routinely used for aerial surveillance, is expected to be significantly less expensive than current systems.

Originally developed for Navy applications, this APL system helps protect people working on “live” electrical systems from arc flashes, a critical need when severe arc flash injuries send about 2,000 workers a year to burn centers. (See lead story.)

Upon contact with the water, this flare-launching device is released. Strobe lights and flares are subsequently launched at pre-determined intervals.

Inflatable structures have been used to form antennas, satellites and enclosures for astronauts in space. These structures are limited in their ability to support structural loads. To address this limitation, APL scientists have conceived of an apparatus that facilitates the self-assembly of strong, lightweight structures by using resinous material. The uses for this apparatus are limited only by the imagination. For example, imagine an aircraft dropping a pallet into an area after a natural disaster that, upon landing, self-assembles into a field hospital building or an emergency shelter; or imagine materials dropped into the ocean to form artificial reefs, mooring stations or anchor points. APL’s patented apparatus comprises resin flow apertures, a liquid injection port and control, and a source of energy for curing resinous material.

Existing deep-space receivers must phase-lock to uplink signals and generate a data clock for command reception. These processes limit the sensitivity of receivers as well as the rate of signal reception. In order to avoid the sensitivity loss associated with the use of phase-lock loops or frequency-lock loops, APL scientists have developed a novel communication receiver system that is configured to receive signals as differences between tone frequencies. APL’s patented system comprises an ultrastable oscillator, an open loop receiver that is configured to translate a communication signal to an intermediate frequency signal using a stable reference frequency, and a tone detector. In addition, APL scientists have patented corresponding methods for receiving and processing communication signals.

Power Grid Backfeed Protection Apparatus; Milton E. Goss, Jr. (12 Dec 06)

Homeowners often use portable generators when their homes lose power during violent thunderstorms, hurricanes and earthquakes. Rather than follow safety precautions by using specialized switching equipment, transfer boxes and separate wiring, they will often directly plug their portable generators into an outlet in their homes. This unauthorized power feeding, or “backfeed,” from a home into the commercial power grid creates a dangerous situation for workers whose job it is to repair the commercial power grid. In an effort to protect the lives of power grid workers, an APL scientist has designed an apparatus to protect commercial power grids from backfeed while eliminating the need for the specialized equipment that homeowners are currently required to use in order to safely run a generator during a commercial power failure. APL’s patented apparatus comprises a specialized manual switching mechanism and circuit breakers that are isolated from one another to prevent power backfeed.