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Frustrated Total Internal Reflection (FTIR) for Footprints monitoring

Summary

Lead Inventors: Richard S. Mann, Ph.D.; Szabolcs Marka, Ph.D.Problem or Unmet Need:Total Internal Reflection describes a condition present in certain materials when light enters one material from another material with a higher refractive index, at an angle of incidence greater than the critical angle. Frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) occurs when a third medium with a higher refractive index than the second medium is placed within less than several wavelengths distance from the interface between the first medium and the second medium. Small bursts of light transmit across the boundary. High-resolution multi-touch screens, optical mice, gait analysis instruments, and fingerprint monitors have been developed based on FTIR. However, quantitative analysis of small animals locomotion remains a challenge. The technology employs FTIR to monitor how animals and robots use their appendages for locomotion. By using light as readout, it provides extremely high sensitivity. The invention has been successfully applied to study walking behaviors of flies and robots. It is readily adaptable to arthropods, mammals, humans, and robots. Other potential applications include automatic insect counting, dust or other particle counting/detection, impact detector, etc.

Technology Benefits

Low cost, real-time monitoring Extremely high time and spatial resolution, high signal to noise ratio Force sensitivity Adaptable for various uses

Technology Application

Analyze the locomotive mechanisms of animals Study symptoms, causes, and cures of walking abnormalities Quantitative gait analysis in physical therapies, footwear manufacturing, etc. Robot research In vivo imaging of fingerprint, skin tissue, etc. Platform for interactive gaming, touch screens, optical mice

Detailed Technology Description

The technology employs FTIR to monitor how animals and robots use their appendages for locomotion. By using light as readout, it provides extremely high sensitivity. The invention has been successfully applied to study walking behaviors of flies and ...

Country/Region

USA

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