MEMS Three-Way Microvalve Modules for Braille Display

Information

  • Research Project
  • 6580792
  • ApplicationId
    6580792
  • Core Project Number
    R43EY014485
  • Full Project Number
    1R43EY014485-01
  • Serial Number
    14485
  • FOA Number
    RFA-EY-02-02
  • Sub Project Id
  • Project Start Date
    9/30/2002 - 21 years ago
  • Project End Date
    9/29/2004 - 19 years ago
  • Program Officer Name
    OBERDORFER, MICHAEL
  • Budget Start Date
    9/30/2002 - 21 years ago
  • Budget End Date
    9/29/2003 - 20 years ago
  • Fiscal Year
    2002
  • Support Year
    1
  • Suffix
  • Award Notice Date
    9/25/2002 - 21 years ago
Organizations

MEMS Three-Way Microvalve Modules for Braille Display

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The digital revolution has placed a wealth of electronic information literally at the touch of a button to the average individual. Unfortunately blind people have been left behind by the revolution due to the lack of efficient, low-cost display systems. Existing commercial Braille displays utilize piezoelectric actuators to deploy mechanical pins which form Braille text. In order to reduce the cost of Braille Displays a fresh approach is necessary .Orbital Research has developed a pneumatically actuated Braille Display concept that utilizes low-cost, small, and efficient MEMS microvalves. The microvalves control air pressure delivered to each Braille dot to control deployment. Orbital Research has developed and tested prototypes of these displays validating the approach using two-way MEMS valves. However, based on feedback from blind people, the Braille displays had inherent drawbacks, including a slow refresh rate and soft tactile feel. To overcome these drawbacks this proposed program will design, fabricate and test a three-way MEMS microvalve that will be integrated into actuator arrays, which will be packaged using automated techniques into modules that can be joined together to form either low-cost entry-Ievel or larger multi-line Braille display systems.

IC Name
NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
  • Activity
    R43
  • Administering IC
    EY
  • Application Type
    1
  • Direct Cost Amount
  • Indirect Cost Amount
  • Total Cost
    250000
  • Sub Project Total Cost
  • ARRA Funded
  • CFDA Code
    867
  • Ed Inst. Type
  • Funding ICs
    NEI:250000\
  • Funding Mechanism
  • Study Section
    ZEY1
  • Study Section Name
    Special Emphasis Panel
  • Organization Name
    ORBITAL RESEARCH, INC.
  • Organization Department
  • Organization DUNS
    557510336
  • Organization City
    CLEVELAND
  • Organization State
    OH
  • Organization Country
    UNITED STATES
  • Organization Zip Code
    441033757
  • Organization District
    UNITED STATES