Major Areas of Opportunity - Implications of Emerging Micro-and Nanotechnologies - page 83

through frequency signatures could be used to detect and track ground vehicles. It
has been observed that many animals can detect approaching or faint earthquake
tremors before humans and seismic instruments. What is being sensed and how
are yet to be discovered. Reconnaissance mission capability could be expanded
by using drones to deliver gas- and vibration-sensing systems to ground loca-
tions, where they autonomously set up and begin intercommunication and then
proceed to perform, for example, triangulating methods of detection and tracking
and to transmit the information to airborne vehicles.
The actuation mechanisms and signal generation capabilities of biological
systems also have relevance to the development of autonomous microsystems.
Bioluminenscence of fireflies and many fish, electric-shock-generating organs of
eels, water-powered actuators of jellyfish, and the jumping ability of fleas are all
examples of highly developed biological actuators. Applications to micro- and
nanosystems are many, including energy conversion for power generation, me-
chanical amplification, and optical readout.
Enhanced Human Performance—The Machine as Part of the Man
Micro- and nanotechnology offer new inspiration for an old concept, the
bionic man (or cyborg). Implanted sensors, neural interfaces, and muscle-con-
trolling devices have appeared in science fiction novels and movies for many
decades. In recent years, biomedical engineering has made numerous, signifi-
cant advances in this arena, including the artificial heart, artificial joints and
limbs, and muscle-stimulating electrodes. Micro- and nanotechnologies make
these devices less invasive by reducing size and increasing “smarts” through the
integration of high-speed signal processing and control circuitry and through
advances in biocompatible materials. These advances reduce the problems asso-
ciated with implant surgery and rejection and improve the lifetime, capability,
and performance of biointerfacing devices. For the Air Force, improved human
performance could mean better vision, enhanced by IR detectors interfaced to
the optical cortex, or monitoring of pilot brain function to intervene in the case
of high-G blackout or falling asleep during any machine operation. Another
application is in self-diagnosis, medication, and accelerated healing of person-
nel in the field. Intelligent bandages that use electrical stimulation to accelerate
healing and detect and treat bacterial infections are currently in the research
stages. Microneedles for drug delivery and for biofluid sampling are in product
development today. It appears that the “hypospray” and “tricorder” of Star Trek
fame are not that far away from reality. Other enhancements of human perfor-
mance may come from a reduction in sleep and food requirements. Transdermal
feeding and regeneration devices are quite possibly next-generation develop-
ments of microneedles and electronic bandages. Wearable computers and elec-
tronic clothing that monitor the wearer's vital signs are already in development.
Enhanced capabilities for these “garments” are foreseen—for example, elec-