The National Science Foundation, Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE) Core Program solicitations have been posted. There are no major changes to the solicitations, which can be found here: Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS): Core Programs  Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF): Core Programs Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Core Programs Submission Window Date(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer’s local time): October 27, 2014 – November 10, 2014 MEDIUM Projects November 12, 2014 – November 20, 2014 LARGE Projects January 02, 2015 – January 14, 2015 (January 2 – January 14, Annually Thereafter) SMALL Projects September 02, 2015 – September 21, 2015 (September 2 – September 19, Annually Thereafter) MEDIUM […]

Inspired by the traditional Japanese art form of origami, researchers from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have figured out how to take flat sheets of specialized paper and plastic and make it self-fold into a complex machine that can “get-up and go”. The robot starts as a flat sheet with embedded electronics, which can then transform autonomously into a functional machine. This is done using shape-memory composites that fold themselves along embedded hinges to recreate fundamental folded patterns. The origami-inspired robot can fold itself in 4 minutes and walk away without human intervention. This demonstrates the potential for both complex self-folding machines and autonomous, self-controlled assembly. “This is a new […]