Gizmodo: Usc

Concrete-Jet Printer Gets Caterpillar Funding: Print-Out Houses on the Way

Kit Eaton — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:15:00 EDT

Check out this lengthy vid: it shows how one day you may just call-in giant robots to print out a new home based on a CAD model. Research into the concrete-jet printer is being carried out by USC, and their technology can already build up complex concrete structures using technology that's half-CNC machine and half inkjet-like. They've just got funding from Caterpillar to further the research. Amazing stuff, especially when the team says it should be eventually be able to put together a 2,000-square-foot, two storey home in just a day, with all the wiring and plumbing automatically inserted too. Even NASA is interested, as this may be a good solution for building Moonbases. [The Register via Bot Junkie]

Scientists Do Micro-Origami, Make Tiny Drug-Delivery Package

Kit Eaton — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:15:00 EDT

Researchers at USC's Information Sciences Institute produced this amazing pyramid, around 30 microns across, which may one day be used to deliver precise micro- or nano-doses of medication. The structures, dubbed "voxels" are made of silicon, cut into flats and then folded up and sealed to enclose tiny volumes of space inside. The team hasn't stopped at pyramids either— they've tried flat envelopes, cubes and partial dodecahedra, but these don't close together the way the pyramid does.

The flat shapes are first carved out of polysilicon sheets lying on a gold film using standard commercial techniques. The hinge areas are improved with some etching. Then they're electro-coated with permalloy, making them magnetic but leaving the hinges free. Folding and closing the shapes is the tricky part, requiring bending using magnetic fields, and then submersion in water. As the shapes dry capillary action draws the voxels closed. They plan on improving the folding precision and the strength of the bonds at each side of the voxel, which might be possible with carefully directed water jets.

The team also think that even smaller voxels, and also mass production will be possible. And not a paper-cut in sight. [USC ISI and Physorg]

SuperBot Robot Can Construct Itself

Travis Hudson — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:15:04 EST

This robot, named the SuperBot, can do some pretty super, and unique things. The SuperBot has the ability to build itself, in a way. It can be constructed into a variety of different figures to accomplish different tasks, for example as a walking unit, rolling unit, snake unit, etc. Each individual block is a robot that interacts and works together with the other robots. This project is the work of Wi-Min Shen's of USC for NASA. Jump to see a video of a group of "SuperBots" able to find and attach to another group.

–Travis Hudson

Vivid Videos Demonstrate SuperBot Progress [Via Crave]

Contour Crafting: One Day House Printer, Our Only Hope

Mark Wilson — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 11:12:46 EST

IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to a recent influx in the wolf population, little piggies in our community have been under strict curfew to avoid bloody dismemberment after dark. But now, wolves have adapted to "blow down" houses in the areas north and southeast of the Denny's Unlimited Bacon Breakfast Buffet–just off Route 49–that drives our local economy.

Should you find your house destroyed by high winds, there may be hope. USC's Contour Crafting Device can construct a new home out of dense liquid materials in as little as 24 hours. Two story dwellings seem out of the question, but beggars can't be choosers. In the meantime, we strongly advise you take immediate shelter at the Denny's Unlimited Bacon Breakfast Buffet, just off Route 49. Thank-you.

Video transmission after the jump.

– Mark Wilson

Print Your House [core77]