I-Corps: Chemical Fuel-Powered Braille Displays

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种便携式的、负担得起的、由化学燃料供电的多行盲文显示器。在这个日益数字化的社会中，计算机屏幕是消费和交流信息的主要界面。盲人和视障人士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。盲文显示器是精确阅读和写作任务(如检查拼写和语法)所需的，它只能显示一行信息，通常一次显示40个字符。这些设备的显示限制因其惊人的成本而加剧；可靠的显示设备的价格为3000美元或更高。由于材料和集成成本较高，目前的驱动技术无法满足多线器件的需求，而核心技术几十年来基本上保持不变。降低单行显示器的成本可能会增加盲人的可及性，而负担得起的多行显示器可能会产生更大的影响。这项拟议技术的目标是满足企业和机构的需求，这些企业和机构寻求为自己的员工、客户和访问者提供可刷新的盲文。这个i-Corps项目基于开发一种以化学燃料为动力的多行盲文显示器。这项拟议的技术基于一种软式微流控系统，该系统将气态化学燃料分配到微升容量的气瓶中。火花在单独的气室中点燃气体，导致覆盖在每个气瓶顶部的弹性膜被脉冲激励。实现这一功能的核心创新源于这样一种认识，即每个气缸中的火焰在微流控进气口自行熄灭。因此，不需要阀门来控制单独的驱动，这在以前的软气动驱动阵列中没有实现。消除对阀门的需求简化了系统架构，减小了系统尺寸，并大大降低了系统成本。该项目的系统级创新可能会解决其他触觉显示技术中存在的下游技术挑战。全橡胶成分可用于设计密封平台，防止灰尘和液体进入，并可消除冲击造成的损害。此外，尽管维护是许多盲文显示器客户的一大痛点，但拟议的显示器界面并不昂贵，可能会完全更换，因为它包含少量模制硅橡胶和电线。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.