RESEARCH

Group 3 Research results

ARTIFICIAL EYE/ RETINAL PROSTHESIS COULD HELP THE BLIND SEE AGAIN
An artificial retina could restore sight to the blind, according to new research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The device can be plugged directly into the optic nerve and is based on widely used cochlear implants.

SHOCKING?
The

artificial retina is designed to help people with advanced macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa, progressive diseases that permanently blind patients, usually older patients. Some drugs can delay the process, but once the cells that detect light (rods) and color (cones) die, they are gone. The nerves behind the rods and cones do survive, however. For a patient to see again, something needs to stimulate the nerves. A mild electrical charge, applied using a self-contained, surgically implanted device could stimulate the optical nerves and allow a person to see again.

PERFUME CANDY

PERFUME CANDY?
"The innovative technology behind Deo Perfume Candy is based on research by Japanese scientists," explains Deo's website. "Their studies showed that when ingested, rose oil exudes aromatic compounds, such as geraniol, through the skin. When evaporating through the skin, geraniol aromatizes it with a beautiful rose fragrance." One serving size (four pieces) contains 12 mg of geraniol. While the strength and duration of the perfume depends on body weight, developers say one serving size eaten by a person weighing 145 pounds could last up to six hours.

PAPER-THIN SUPER MATERIAL STOPS FLYING BULLETS

The type of material, called a structured polymer composite, can actually self-assemble into alternating glassy and rubbery layers. When performing ballistic tests on the material at MIT's Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, those 20-nanometerthick layers were able to stop a 9-millimeter bullet and seal the entryway behind it, according to a Rice University article. However, one of the challenges to making thinner and lighter protective gear is being able to test new, promising materials effectively in the lab. Researchers need to know precisely why those nanolayers are so good at dissipating energy, but analyzing the polymer can take days. So the MIT-Rice team also came up with an innovative testing method, where they shot tiny glass beads at the material. Although the beads were only a millionth of a meter in size, they simulated bullet impacts, according to MIT News. Under a scanning electron microscope the material's layers look like corduroy so the projectile impact can be seen clearly.

THE END
Group members: Frenzie Mae Rivera Marc Kevin Gomez Jessie Robert Ty Ron Gabriel Romulo

Thank You ^-^