Sense Acoustic Sensing: Ultrasound – “The production of ultrasound is used in many different fields, typically to penetrate a medium and measure the reflection signature or supply focused energy. The reflection signature can reveal details about the inner structure of the medium, a property also used by animals such as bats for hunting.” Ultrasounds are commonly used in the medical field, but industrial uses also arise. Ultrasound testing can be used to detect the density of objects such as metal, wood, and concrete. These tests can also be performed to find flaws in such materials. “Ultrasound Identification (USID) is a Real Time Locating System (RTLS) or Indoor Positioning System (IPS) technology used to automatically track and identify the location of objects in real time using simple, inexpensive nodes (badges/tags) attached to or embedded in objects and devices, which then transmit an ultrasound signal to communicate their location to microphone sensors”(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrasound). Sonar – Sonar is short for sound navigation and ranging. Sonar is “a method of detecting, locating, and determining the speed of objects through the use of reflected sound waves. A sound signal is produced, and the time it takes for the signal to reach an object and for its echo to return is used to calculate the object’s distance” (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sonar). Sonar has nautical uses such as navigating submarines, and also for finding the location of schools of fish.
Microphone – “Any electromechanical device designed to convert sound into an electrical signal. A microphone converts an acoustic waveform consisting of alternating high and low air pressure traveling through the air into a voltage. To do this it uses some kind of pressure or movement sensor. The simplest kind of microphone is actually very similar in construction to a {loudspeaker}” (http://www.definethat.com/define/1729.htm) Hydrophone — a hydrophone is the underwater equivalent of a microphone.
Orientation: Gyroscope – “is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of conservation of angular momentum. A mechanical gyroscope is essentially a spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation. This orientation changes much less in response to a given external torque than it would without the large angular momentum associated with the gyroscope’s high rate of spin” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope). Gyroscopes can be found in simple devices like gaming controllers or in more complicated pieces of machinery like the two wheeled Segway. Prototypical gyroscopes have also been used in robotic wheelchairs that could actually stand up right and allow a user to ascend or descend a set of stairs.
Artificial Horizon – “An instrument displaying a line on a flight indicator that lies within the horizontal plane and about which the pitching and banking movements of an aircraft are shown. Also called gyro horizon” ( http://www.answers.com/topic/artificial-horizon). These devices are used in airplanes and other vehicles to maintain level trajectory or flight. GPS – stands for global positioning system. “A system of geostationary satellites, ground receivers, and associated software that provides an electronically instrumented means of determining position on the earth” (www.pasda.psu.edu/tutorials/arcview/glossary.shtml). GPS devices can be used to determine location, speed, direction, and time. These GPS navigation systems are commonly used in vehicles for way finding. GPS devices can also be used to catalogue the location of objects when creating an inventory.
Process Location Services: GIS platform – “Short for Geographic Information Systems, tools used to gather, transform, manipulate, analyze, and produce information related to the surface of the Earth. This data may exist as maps, 3D virtual models, tables, and/or lists” (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/G/GIS.html). Arcview GIS is a software platform that enables users to perform the aforementioned tasks. “GIS play an important role in many organizations. For instance, police and fire departments may use GISs to locate landmarks and hazards, plot destinations, and design emergency routes. GISs may also be used by governments, research institutes or any other body that can’t possibly handle the task of manually processing large amounts of geographical data.” With the use of GIS software, one can analyze stored spatial data by using quarries and reports.
Transform/Output Realtime Mapping – Uses satellites and other geospatial tracking techniques to provide up to the minute real time observable data in 2d or 3D. Realtime mapping is used to project weather information like wind, air temperature, sea level or wave height. Realtime mapping is also used in navigation. Real time maps are updated as new information is captured and transmitted.
Transmaterials List Light Fader – “When a pedestrian walks across Rogier Sterk’s interactive light floor, his or her weight displaces fluid contained within the panel system, leaving “light prints” for about one minute after contact. The system may be constructed as an independent floor and can perform without the built-in light. In this configuration, footprints allow light within an upper space to be visible from below” (http://transmaterial.net/index.php/2009/10/10/lightfader/). Green Screen – “Greenscreen is a landscape trellis system for fencing, wall-mounted applications, or freestanding enclosures. When combined with a variety of climbing vines, Greenscreen becomes a “living wall” that can provide privacy, shading and cooling, security and spatial definition, and acts as an effective antigraffiti treatment. The main component of this modular system is a 3D welded wire trellis panel, which is manufactured in Southern California from recycled-content galvanized steel wire” (http://transmaterial.net/index.php/2010/01/06/greenscreen/). Delight Cloth – “Delight Cloth is a light-emitting textile comprised of thousands of fiber optic strands. With a diameter of only 0.25 to 0.5 mm, the optical fibers are woven into a large translucent tapestry that can be hung vertically or horizontally. The material may be used for wall or ceiling treatments, as well as banner signage or clothing. Delight Cloth can be fabricated with imbedded graphics or logos, and may be used to emit a wide variety of colors of light” (http://transmaterial.net/index.php/2010/02/12/delight-cloth/).

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