SMU and DARPA develop fiber optics for the human nervous system

By Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 18th 2010 at 10:05PM

The Department of Defense and Southern Methodist University have teamed up to develop prosthetics that use two-way fiber optic communication between artificial limbs and peripheral nerves to essentially give these devices the ability to feel pressure or temperature. The technology is called neurophotonics, and it will someday allow hi-speed communication between the brain and artificial limbs. But that's just the beginning -- the work being done at SMU's Neurophotonics Research Center might someday lead to brain implants that control tremors, neuro-modulators for chronic pain management, implants for treating spinal cord injuries, and more. And since we can't have a post about DARPA-funded research without the following trope, Dean Orsak of the SMU Lyle School of Engineering points out that "[s]cience fiction writers have long imagined the day when the understanding and intuition of the human brain could be enhanced by the lightning speed of computing technologies. With this remarkable research initiative, we are truly beginning a journey into the future that will provide immeasurable benefits to humanity." Truly.

Dallas Observer

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/18/smu-and-darpa-develop-fiber-optics-for-the-human-nervous-system/

NASA going to the sun

NASA seemed to be hot headed right now, as it’s planning a visit to the hottest star around us. Yea, NASA is sending a Solar Probe Plus into the Sun’s atmosphere, which will be the first time any craft visits that place. Previously all data were collected from distances at least millions of miles away. Maybe now is a cooler season to visit the sun.

NASA has expressed two clear reasons why they planned this holiday trip: to determine why the sun’s corona is millions time hotter than its red hot surface, and to investigate into why the solar wind that we’ve been hearing a lot lately is getting accelerated. All this and more, will be answered before 2018, if, and only if, the Solar Probe Plus didn’t get melted by the sexy sun ladies. And please, someone tell NASA to build that if they wish to go to the sun.

SOURCE via CNET

http://www.2dayblog.com/2010/09/04/nasa-going-to-the-sun-nobody-wants-to-enroll/#more-18613