IBM Research and five universities are partnering to create computing systems that are expected to simulate and emulate the brain’s abilities for sensation, perception, action, interaction and cognition while rivalling its low power consumption and compact size.

The digital data explosion shows no signs of slowing down - according to analyst firm IDC, the amount of digital data is growing at a mind-boggling 60 percent each year, giving businesses access to incredible new streams of information.  But without the ability to monitor, analyse and react to this information in real-time, the majority of its value may be lost. Until the data is captured and analysed, decisions or actions may be delayed. Cognitive computing offers the promise of systems that can integrate and analyze vast amounts of data from many sources in the blink of an eye, allowing businesses or individuals to make rapid decisions in time to have a significant impact.

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In conjunction with the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Siemens Healthcare is to develop a prototype Deep Bleeder Acoustic Coagulation (DBAC) cuff, designed to limit blood loss and shock resulting from combat limb injuries.

The ultrasound device is designed to limit blood loss from penetrating wounds to limbs in fast and slow bleeders, significantly reducing the risk of limb loss and death resulting from irreversible hemorrhagic shock. Once applied to the limb, Siemens Silicon Ultrasound technology within the cuff automatically detects the location and severity of the bleeding within the limb. This triggers therapeutic ultrasound elements within the cuff to emit and focus high-power energy toward the bleeding sites, speeding coagulation and halting bleeding at the injury site. The device is intended for use by minimally-trained operators, curtailing bleeding in a minimal amount of time with automatic treatment and power shut-off.

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Scientists at Tufts University are to develop ‘soft and squishy’ chemical robots that can squeeze into spaces down to 1cm, then morph back into something 10 times larger, and ultimately biodegrade, as part of a $3.3 million contract from DARPA.

Constructed mainly from rigid materials, today’s robots are unable to navigate complex environments with openings of arbitrary size and shape.

Based on the performance capabilities of the Manduca Sexta caterpillar, such as its flexibility, climbing ability and scalability, the Tufts team aims to develop ‘chembots’ that will be able to access confined and complex spaces, follow cables, ropes or wires and climb trees or other branched structures. The growth of the Manduca Sexta caterpillar also interested the researchers. From hatching to the end of its larval stage, the caterpillar grows 10,000 fold in mass using the same number of muscles and motor neurons.

Key to success of the chembots will be the use of new biomaterials. The initial chembots will be built with existing synthetic soft materials and actuators; however, the next stage of the project will use novel soft bionic composites that will be biocompatible and biodegradable.

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