3. INTRODUCTION
Claytronics is an abstract future concept.
This idea is more broadly referred to as programmable
matter.
Combines nanoscale robotics and computer science.
Interact with each other to form tangible 3-D objects.
Have the ability to move around and communicate.
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4. HISTORY
The term Programmable matter was originally coined in 1991 by Toffoli
and Margolus.
In 2002, Seth Goldstein and Todd Mowry started the claytronics project
at Carnegie Mellon University.
In 2005, research efforts to develop a hardware concept were successful
on the scale of millimeters.
Presently collaborative research in Claytronics is directed by Carnegie
Mellon University and Intel.
Claytronic technology has become possible because of Moore's Law.
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5. CATOMS
Catoms are the building unit of this system.
Each component becomes part of a computerized network of objects
and identifies itself based on function.
Each Catom would contain a fairly powerful processor and the Catoms
surfaces would have photocells to sense and emit light.
Catoms which are ringed by several electromagnets are able to move
around each other to form a variety of shapes.
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6. CATOMS Continues…
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A two-dimensional version of Catoms.
These 1st gen. Catoms are developed by
intel having 4.4cm diameter and 3.6 cm
height.
These Catoms consist of 24
electromagnets.
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7. HARDWARE
In order to be viable, Catoms need to fit the following criteria:
Catoms need to be able to move in three dimensions relative to each other and
be able to adhere to each other to form a 3D figure.
Catoms need to be able to communicate with each other.
Catoms must have a CPU to process the data flowing in through its sensors
using the algorithms and take decisions.
It must have an onboard power supply to power its CPU, magnetic coils and
sensors.
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8. HARDWARE (Contd)
Hardware can be implemented through
Planar Catoms
Electrostatic Latches
Stochastic Catom
Giant helium Catom
Cubes
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9. HARDWARE (Contd)
Planar Catoms
Planar Catoms test concept of motion, power distribution ,
data transfer, communication.
Electrostatic Latches
Models a new system of binding and releasing the
connection between modular robots.
Stochastic Catom
It integrate random motion with global objectives communicated in simple
computer language to form predetermined patterns.
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10. HARDWARE (Contd)
Giant helium Catom
The GHC was designed to approximate the relationship
between a weightless particle and the force of
electro-magnetic fields spread across the surface of
such particles.
Cubes
Employ electrostatic latches to demonstrate the functionality of a device that could
be used in a system at both the macro and Nano-scale.
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11. SOFTWARE
Organizing all of the communication and actions between millions of sub-
millimeter scale Catoms requires development of advanced algorithms and
programming languages.
The point of the programming is to translate commands into the motion of each
machine in its relationship to every other machine.
Languages to program a matrix require a more abbreviated syntax and style of
command than normal programming languages such as C++ and Java.
The Carnegie Mellon-Intel Claytronics Research Project has created two new
programming languages: Meld and Locally Distributed Predicates (LDP).
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12. SOFTWARE(Contd)
MELD
Meld is a declarative language, a logic programming language originally
designed for programming overlay networks.
The programmer needs to write a program for an ensemble rather than the
modules that make it up.
These implementations are inherently fault-tolerant.
Meld programs are considerably more concise than programs written in C++,
while running nearly as efficiently.
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13. SOFTWARE(Contd)
Locally Distributed Predicates
LDP is a reactive programming language.
LDP approaches the distributed programming problem using pattern- matching
techniques.
It enables the programmer to address a larger set of variables with Boolean logic.
As with Meld, LDP produces dramatically shorter code than traditional high-level
languages (C++, Java, etc.).
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14. DYNAMIC SIMULATION AND DEBUGGING
Dynamic debugging is already possible because of the languages used- MELD
and LDP are capable of this.
For dynamic simulation a new simulator “DYNAMIC PHYSICAL
RENDERING” or DPR simulator is developed by researchers.
DPR simulator operates in LINUX environment and this is open source.
It not only simulate in a dynamic way but also provides means to activate all
catoms under real life conditions.
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15. ALGORITHM
Two important classes of claytronics
algorithms are shape sculpting and
localization algorithms.
All the research on catom motion
planning require shape sculpting algorithms.
Localization algorithms enable catoms to
localize their positions in an ensemble.
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16. WORKING
The catom consists of a tube and a High voltage
CMOS attached inside the tube.
The catom moves on a power grid which carry high
voltage AC signals.
Contains LCD’s and LED’s so that it could change
it’s colour.
Organizing all of the communication by advanced
algorithms and programming languages.
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17. CHALLENGES FACED BY CLAYTRONICS
In the current design, the Catoms are only able to move in two dimensions
relative to each other.
At present, only four individual Catoms are made to communicate with each
other.
In case of software view we need enormous computing power.
To create such an easy algorithm that can work in real time without any error.
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19. CONCLUSION
Claytronics is very advanced technology.
It can change the way we interact with matter.
Claytronics has the potential to greatly affect many areas of daily life, such as
telecommunication, human-computer interfaces, and entertainment.
The trend of fabrication technology according to Moore’s Law makes us
believe 3D Catom will be made soon.
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