I-Corps: Chemical Fuel-Powered Braille Displays

这个I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种由化学燃料驱动的便携式、负担得起的多行盲文显示器。在这个日益数字化的社会中，计算机屏幕作为消费和交流信息的主要界面。盲人和视力受损者不能通过传统方式使用计算机，而是使用基于音频的屏幕阅读软件和可刷新的盲文显示器来满足数字信息需求。用于精确阅读和书写任务（如检查拼写和语法）的盲文显示器只能显示单行信息，通常一次40个字符。这些设备的显示限制因其惊人的成本而加剧;可靠的显示器售价为3，000美元或更高。目前的驱动技术由于其高材料和集成成本而不能满足多线设备的需求，并且核心技术几十年来基本上保持不变。 降低单线显示器的成本可能会增加盲人的无障碍环境，而负担得起的多线显示器可能会产生更大的影响。这项技术的目标是满足企业和机构的需求，这些企业和机构希望为自己的员工、客户和访客提供可更新的盲文。I-Corps项目是基于开发一种由化学燃料驱动的多行盲文显示器。 所提出的技术是基于一个软微流体系统，分配气体化学燃料微升体积气缸。火花点燃各个腔室中的气体，导致覆盖每个气缸顶部的弹性膜的脉冲致动。实现这一功能的核心创新源于实现每个气缸中的火焰在微流体进气口处熄灭。因此，不需要阀来控制单独的致动，这在以前的软气动致动阵列中是无法实现的。去除对阀的需要简化了系统架构，减小了系统尺寸，并且显著降低了系统成本。该项目的系统级创新解决了其他触觉显示技术中存在的下游技术挑战。全橡胶组合物允许设计气密密封的平台，其防止灰尘和液体进入，并且可以消除来自冲击的损坏。此外，虽然维护是许多盲文显示器客户的一大痛点，但由于所建议的显示器接口包含少量模制硅橡胶和电线，因此价格低廉，可以完全更换。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of a portable, affordable, multiline braille display powered by chemical fuels. In this increasingly digital society, computer screens serve as the primary interface for consuming and communicating information. Blind and visually impaired people cannot use computers by conventional means, instead using audio-based, screen reading software and refreshable braille displays to meet digital information needs. Braille displays, which are needed for precision reading and writing tasks (such as checking spelling and grammar) can only present a single line of information, usually 40 characters at a time. The display limitations of these devices are exacerbated by their staggering costs; Reliable displays are priced at $3,000 or more. Current actuation technologies cannot meet the need for multiline devices due to their high material and integration costs, and core technologies have remained essentially unchanged for decades. Lowering the cost of a single-line display may increase accessibility for the blind, while an affordable multiline display may result in even greater impact. The goal for the proposed technology is to meet needs to both extend access to businesses and institutions that seek to provide refreshable braille to their own employees, customers, and visitors.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a multiline braille display powered by chemical fuels. The proposed technology is based on a soft microfluidic system that distributes gaseous chemical fuels to microliter volume cylinders. Sparks ignite the gas in individual chambers resulting in the pulsed actuation of elastomeric membranes that cover the top of each cylinder. The core innovation enabling this functionality stems from the realization that the flames in each cylinder quench themselves at the microfluidic intake port. Thus, valves are not required to control individual actuations, previously unrealized in soft, pneumatic actuation arrays. Removing the need for valves simplifies the system architecture, reduces system size, and substantially lowers the system cost. The system level innovations in this project mayu resolve downstream technical challenges present in other tactile display technologies. An all-rubber composition allows for the design of a hermetically sealed platform which prevents dust and liquid ingress, and which may eliminate damage from impact. In addition, while maintenance is a large pain point for many braille display customers, the proposed display interface is inexpensive and may be completely replaced, as it contains small volumes of molded silicone rubber and wire.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.