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The Terrifying Promise of Robot Bugs

The Terrifying Promise of Robot Bugs - Imitating nature to build a better (or possibly more terrifying) future. We've been trying to build flapping-wing robots for hundreds of years. And now, ornithopters are finally being developed, and may be used mostly for military purposes.

Piezoelectrics make those little bugs possible, and also enhances the ability of robot arms to feel, in other news from The International Journal of Robotics.

Antarctica's Supernova Sand and MORE! - The Countdown #21

SUBSCRIBE, future astronauts: http://goo.gl/bRbj4
LINKS for the TOP 5 are listed BELOW!!
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THE TOP 5:

Virgin Galactic Powers Up - http://goo.gl/uO51a

One-Way Ticket to Mars - http://goo.gl/p0VMC

Most Famous Canadian YouTuber (in Space) - http://goo.gl/qMz9j

Saturn Hurricane http://goo.gl/5txv0

Antarctica's Supernova Sand http://goo.gl/rfUXS
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Watch more of The Countdown: http://goo.gl/JnNep
Visit Scientific American's website for more space news:

NSF Science Now Episode 12

NSF Science Now Episode 12 - This week's episode of Science Now highlights Vanderbilt University's humanoid robot geared to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Michigan State University researchers harnessing terahertz technology that could potentially enable doctors to see deep into tissues without the damaging effects of x-ray, Rice University's discovery that rocks in the earth's mantle beneath the ocean floor melt much deeper than previously thought and finally Blue Waters, one of the world's most powerful supercomputers is now available for use nationwide. Its unparalleled processing power enables researchers to perform large-scale scientific applications at the cutting edge of computational science.

Space Trash: The Next Big Pickle

Space Trash: The Next Big Pickle - Earth's orbit has a bit of a litter problem. Hank outlines a few ways scientists have thought of to help clean things up.

Read more: Space Trash: The Next Big Pickle

The Retro-Proto-Turbo-Encabulator

The Retro-Proto-Turbo-Encabulator

Hank brings us a special report on the retro-proto-turbo-encabulator, which could very well revolutionize...uh...something.

Read more: The Retro-Proto-Turbo-Encabulator

NASA Needs You

Hank usually likes to keep science and politics separated, but the reality is that a lot of scientific research in the United States is funded by the government. This is a problem right now because the disfunction in the world of politics has begun to seriously affect the realm of science. Because of sequestration, NASA needs our help!

Read more: NASA Needs You

ALMA Atacama Large Millimeter Array - Trailer [HD]

ALMA Atacama Large Millimeter Array - Trailer [HD]

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Read more: ALMA Atacama Large Millimeter Array - Trailer [HD]

ESA Euronews: Planck maps the dawn of time

ESA Euronews: Planck maps the dawn of time

Scientists have traced a unique new map of the first light of the universe, and raised profound questions about the Big Bang.The image of the cosmic microwave background they have released was taken by ESA's Planck satellite, and its results could have a significant impact on the field of cosmology.

"It turns that most of this image, most of this map, fits beautifully our very simple model. At the same time we find some strange things, and this is where it starts to get interesting, because we see some signs of things that do not fit," explains ESA's Planck Project Scientist Jan Tauber.

Read more: ESA Euronews: Planck maps the dawn of time

Science Nation - Printable Robots Designed to be Consumer-friendly, Inexpensive

Science Nation - Printable Robots Designed to be Consumer-friendly, Inexpensive

This project, funded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Expeditions in Computing Program, envisions a future in which 3-D robotic systems can be produced and designed using 2-D desktop technology fabrication methods. If this feat is achieved, it would be possible for the average person to design, customize and print a specialized robot in a matter of hours. Currently, it takes years and many resources to produce, program and design a functioning robot. This project would completely automate the process, from sketches on-demand, anywhere, and with the skill of a team of professional engineers, leading to potential transformations in advanced manufacturing.

"This research revolutionizes the design and manufacturing of robots, with a profound potential impact on society," says Ralph Wachter, a program director in the NSF Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering. "It would remove barriers to manufacturing robots, making it possible for average citizens to customize and manufacture their own robots to meet their needs. This opens the door to great possibilities."

"This research envisions a whole new way of thinking about the design and manufacturing of robots, and could have a profound impact on society," says MIT Professor Daniela Rus, project leader and director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL). "We believe that it has the potential to transform manufacturing and to democratize access to robots."

The Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, known as CSAIL, is the largest interdepartmental laboratory at MIT and one of the world's most important centers of computer science and information technology research. The lab has played a major role in the technology revolution of the past 50 years. Currently, CSAIL is focused on conducting groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence, computer systems, and the theory of computation, while also tackling pressing societal challenges such as education, health care, manufacturing and transportation.

"Our goal is to develop technology that enables anyone to manufacture their own customized robot. This is truly a game changer," adds engineering professor Vijay Kumar, who is leading the team from the University of Pennsylvania. "It could allow for the rapid design and manufacture of customized goods, and change the way we teach science and technology in high schools."

Breaking News: Mars Suitable for Life!!

Breaking News: Mars Suitable for Life!! - Earlier today, mission specialists with NASA's Mars Science Laboratory announced that they have found, for the first time, evidence of an ancient environment on Mars that could have sustained life. Hank tells us the specifics in this very special, super-exciting episode of SciShow News.

Read more: Breaking News: Mars Suitable for Life!!




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