Research, Design, & Innovation

This week a group of researchers from the University of California at Berkeley published a paper about the “stabilizing role of lizards’ tails” in Nature. Read the article and watch the video

After examining African Agama lizards leaping, the team of engineers and biologists built a robot with a flexible tail, called Tailbot. Subsequent tests showed that when Tailbots’ tail swung up during a leap the bot stayed stable and horizontal like a lizard.

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Using computer designs to produce customized prosthetics, mechanical engineering professor Rick Neptune and his class of graduate students are giving amputees a second chance.

The amputee research at the University of Texas was detailed by the Statesman. With a focus on ankle-foot prostheses and “the so-called strut,” the research is making a difference to those active prosthetic users.

Nicole L. Guckert, TX A 2010, is a second-year graduate student working on the project. She said, “it’s phenomenal to think that the work I’m doing at this desk could help someone.” Read the full article

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Digital Trends recently profiled electrical engineer David Forbes and his LED TV vest. According to the article, Forbes began creating his walking, wearing TV vest in 2009.

The complete setup weighs about eight pounds, has roughly 90 minutes of power, and can even incorporate sound speakers made out of drain pipe.

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