Reverse-Engineering Nature’s Robots

Seattle Discovery Series members are abuzz over Dr. Tom Daniel’s presentation on the study of neural systems and flight control in insects.

“No better robots exist on the planet than natural ones,” observed Dr. Tom Daniel, Professor and Joan & Richard Komen Endowed Chair in Biology at the University of Washington at the February 9th breakfast of the Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series. Dr. Daniel was explaining why the study of motion in biology, from the cellular level right on up to the whole animal, is such an important and interesting field. Dr. Daniel, whose research focuses on motion control in insects such as hawk moths, pointed out how the study of motion provides clues to how neuro-muscular systems work, and that to understand many diseases requires an understanding of movement. He then examined the potential applications – and implications – of his research and the important innovations that could emerge from the study of motion in biology.

Did you know...?

• The study of motion in biology is giving rise to new disciplines and technologies, such as neuro-prosthetics and more stable robots modeled on natural movement.
• Researchers have created a neurochip that can both record and stimulate flight movement in insects. They continue to work on ways to power the device biologically, instead of through conventional power sources.
• A tiny structure called the Johnston's organ, just above a moth's head at the base of the antenna, contains mechanosensors that allow the organ to function like a gyroscope.

The discovery of the hawk moth's gyrosopic function of its antennae was recently published in the February 9th edition of Science magazine.

The PODCAST of Dr. Daniel’s presentation is available on the Technology Alliance web site.

Science & Technology Discovery Series is sponsored by:
AH&T, Perkins Coie, and Swedish Medical Center.

St. Helens' Secrets Revealed!

Science & Technology Discovery Series members go inside the volcano with Dr. Steve Malone.

The new season of the Technology Alliance’s popular Science & Technology Discovery Series got off to an explosive start in Seattle on Friday, September 8th with seismologist Steve Malone, Research Professor of Earth & Space Sciences at the University of Washington. (This is the first of ten presentations in the series held monthly.) Dr. Malone shared lessons learned by seismologists from the 1980 eruption and lateral blast of Mount St. Helens, and explained the technologies and techniques that have enabled scientists to more accurately understand what is happening inside the volcano since that devastating event.

Did you know...?

• Today, digitally recorded seismic data on St. Helens and other volcanoes are accessible from anywhere in the world via the Internet.
• Researchers deploy global positioning system (GPS) devices in and around the crater, yielding precise and safe measurements.
• According to the U.S. Geological Survey, our own Mt. Rainier tops the list of high-threat U.S. volcanoes not currently in a state of eruption or unrest!

The podcast of Dr. Malone's presentation is available for free on the Technology Alliance website.

Science & Technology Discovery Series is sponsored by:
Armfield, Harrison & Thomas, Inc., Perkins Coie, and Swedish Medical Center.