Virtual Texture Generated using Elastomeric Conductive Block Copolymer in Wireless Multimodal Haptic Glove.

Haptic devices are in general more adept at mimicking the bulk properties of materials than they are at mimicking the surface properties. This paper describes a haptic glove capable of producing sensations reminiscent of three types of near-surface properties: hardness, temperature, and roughness. To accomplish this mixed mode of stimulation, three types of haptic actuators were combined: vibrotactile motors, thermoelectric devices, and electrotactile electrodes made from a stretchable conductive polymer synthesized in our laboratory. This polymer consisted of a stretchable polyanion which served as a scaffold for the polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). The scaffold was synthesized using controlled radical polymerization to afford material of low dispersity, relatively high conductivity (0.1 S cm-1), and low impedance relative to metals. The glove was equipped with flex sensors to make it possible to control a robotic hand and a hand in virtual reality (VR). In psychophysical experiments, human participants were able to discern combinations of electrotactile, vibrotactile, and thermal stimulation in VR. Participants trained to associate these sensations with roughness, hardness, and temperature had an overall accuracy of 98%, while untrained participants had an accuracy of 85%. Sensations could similarly be conveyed using a robotic hand equipped with sensors for pressure and temperature

Antimicrobial Resistance among Campylobacter Strains, United States, 1997–2001

We summarize antimicrobial resistance surveillance data in human and chicken isolates of Campylobacter. Isolates were from a sentinel county study from 1989 through 1990 and from nine state health departments participating in National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System for enteric bacteria (NARMS) from 1997 through 2001. None of the 297 C. jejuni or C. coli isolates tested from 1989 through 1990 was ciprofloxacin-resistant. From 1997 through 2001, a total of 1,553 human Campylobacter isolates were characterized: 1,471 (95%) were C. jejuni, 63 (4%) were C. coli, and 19 (1%) were other Campylobacter species. The prevalence of ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter was 13% (28 of 217) in 1997 and 19% (75 of 384) in 2001; erythromycin resistance was 2% (4 of 217) in 1997 and 2% (8 of 384) in 2001. Ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter was isolated from 10% of 180 chicken products purchased from grocery stores in three states in 1999. Ciprofloxacin resistance has emerged among Campylobacter since 1990 and has increased in prevalence since 1997

The shawm : library of church music embracing about one thousand pieces, consisting of psalm and hymn tunes adapted to every meter in use, anthems, chants, and set pieces : to which is added an original cantata, entitled Daniel, or, The captivity and restoration : including, also, The singing class : an entirely new and practical arrangement of the elements of music, interspersed with social part-songs for practice /

"Daniel ... music composed by Geo. F. Root and W.B. Bradbury": p. [3]-46.Mode of access: Internet

The Language of Glove: Wireless gesture decoder with low-power and stretchable hybrid electronics

<div><p>This communication describes a glove capable of wirelessly translating the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet into text displayable on a computer or smartphone. The key components of the device are strain sensors comprising a piezoresistive composite of carbon particles embedded in a fluoroelastomer. These sensors are integrated with a wearable electronic module consisting of digitizers, a microcontroller, and a Bluetooth radio. Finite-element analysis predicts a peak strain on the sensors of 5% when the knuckles are fully bent. Fatigue studies suggest that the sensors successfully detect the articulation of the knuckles even when bent to their maximal degree 1,000 times. In concert with an accelerometer and pressure sensors, the glove is able to translate all 26 letters of the ASL alphabet. Lastly, data taken from the glove are used to control a virtual hand; this application suggests new ways in which stretchable and wearable electronics can enable humans to interface with virtual environments. Critically, this system was constructed of components costing less than $100 and did not require chemical synthesis or access to a cleanroom. It can thus be used as a test bed for materials scientists to evaluate the performance of new materials and flexible and stretchable hybrid electronics.</p></div

Overview of the gesture-decoding glove.

<p>(a) Photograph of the glove. (b) Photograph detailing the breakout boards for the MCU, accelerometer, and Bluetooth on the PCB. (c) A circuit diagram of a voltage divider. (d) Schematic drawing of wireless gesture recognition system and the flow of information. Step 1: a gesture was made and the strain sensors transduced the positions of the knuckles into variable resistance values. Step 2: the variable values of resistance were converted into voltages by the voltage dividers. Step 3: the MCU measured the nine voltages and, through a binary comparison process, used them to generate a nine-bit key. Step 4: the binary key was used to determine which letter was to be transmitted wirelessly.</p

Overview of the wearable piezoresistive sensors.

<p>(a) Photograph of the sensor. (b) Schematic diagram of the sensor. (c) Cross-sectional optical micrograph of the sensor. (d) SEM image of the surface of the conductive fluoroelastomer. (e) SEM image of the nanoscopic carbon particles.</p