Posts tagged Cool

There is always something new happening in the world of science. In fact, there are so many new scientific discoveries and inventions, that itâ??s virtually impossible to stay abreast of all the new information. Here are a few really cool new inventions that are under development.

Using flying beetles for search and rescue

New research, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has demonstrated how flying beetles could one day be used surveillance purposes or for search-and-rescue and similar missions.

Michel Maharbiz is trying to take advantage of the beetle’s natural abilities by melding insect and machine.  The team has wirelessly controlled a giant flower beetle with implanted electrodes and a radio receiver on its back. With a nearby computer they can send wireless signals to the beetle including commands to take off, hover in place, turn left, and turn right and land.

Oscillating electrical pulses delivered to the beetle’s optic lobes trigger takeoff, while a single short pulse ceases flight. Sending electrical signals to the left or right basilar flight muscles make the animal turn right or left, respectively.

The reason behind the selection of the giant flower beetle is that it