Advanced Control Research (ACR) is developing a new microchip system designed to give prosthetic arm users more movement and control from artificial limbs.

The project will received funds from an Invention &
Innovation award of GBP65,000 from NESTA (the UK National Endowment for
Science, Technology & the Arts). NESTA support, over one year, will enable
ACR to complete development of a prototype system to be marketed to
manufacturers and distributors of prosthetic upper limbs. NESTA has taken a
stake in the project and any returns that are generated will be ploughed
back into the Invention & Innovation programme.

The ACR system interprets the electrical signals generated to contract and
relax muscles. The signals will be translated into physical movements of the
prosthetic limb. The ACR system can identify up to four different signals
from a single site on the arm, unlike existing systems that recognises only
one. Therefore, a user of the ACR chipset will be able to turn a wrist or
elbow in addition to opening and closing a grip.

Preliminary user trials are indicating that the system is easy to learn. The
company hopes that the systems superior analysis of electrical signals
could make myoelectric (relating to muscle-generated electricity) technology
available to a wider range of people. Future developments could include
larger numbers of distinct motions and groups of movements for particular
situations such as the kitchen, car or workplace.

AngelTech Live III: Join us on 12 April 2021!

AngelTech Live III will be broadcast on 12 April 2021, 10am BST, rebroadcast on 14 April (10am CTT) and 16 April (10am PST) and will feature online versions of the market-leading physical events: CS International and PIC International PLUS a brand new Silicon Semiconductor International Track!

Thanks to the great diversity of the semiconductor industry, we are always chasing new markets and developing a range of exciting technologies.

2021 is no different. Over the last few months interest in deep-UV LEDs has rocketed, due to its capability to disinfect and sanitise areas and combat Covid-19. We shall consider a roadmap for this device, along with technologies for boosting its output.

We shall also look at microLEDs, a display with many wonderful attributes, identifying processes for handling the mass transfer of tiny emitters that hold the key to commercialisation of this technology.

We shall also discuss electrification of transportation, underpinned by wide bandgap power electronics and supported by blue lasers that are ideal for processing copper.

Additional areas we will cover include the development of GaN ICs, to improve the reach of power electronics; the great strides that have been made with gallium oxide; and a look at new materials, such as cubic GaN and AlScN.

Having attracted 1500 delegates over the last 2 online summits, the 3rd event promises to be even bigger and better – with 3 interactive sessions over 1 day and will once again prove to be a key event across the semiconductor and photonic integrated circuits calendar.

So make sure you sign up today and discover the latest cutting edge developments across the compound semiconductor and integrated photonics value chain.

REGISTER FOR FREE

VIEW SESSIONS