Supersuits for Superheroes Additional Information
You can learn more about research on wearable robotics at brl.ee.washington.edu/Research_Active/Exoskeleton/Exoskeleton_Index.html (University of Washington).
Information about research on human-amplifying machines is available at www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v37_1_04/article_11.shtml and www.ornl.gov/sci/engineering_science_technology/roboticsenergetics/humanamplifying.htm
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory).
Sohn, Emily. 2003. A classroom of the mind. Science News for Kids (Oct. 22). Available at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2003/10/a-classroom-of-the-mind-2/.
Weiss, Peter. 2001. Dances with robots. Science News 159(June 30):407-409. Available at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20010630/bob8.asp.
How Exoskeletons Will Work
science.howstuffworks.com/exoskeleton.htm
How Stuff Works
Power Words
exoskeleton A hard covering on the body of an animal, such as an insect or a crustacean. Exoskeletons provide support and protection for the soft inside body parts and are usually made of a hard material called chitin. Only invertebrates have exoskeletons.
feedback A part of the output of a system or process that returns to become part of the input. Sound that comes out of a speaker and is picked up by a microphone and returned to the amplifier is a form of feedback.
nervous system The system in the body that is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, and all of the nerves in the body. The nervous system allows living things to respond to changes in the environment. Breathing, heartbeat, digestion, movement, thinking, and speech are all controlled by the nervous system.
robot A machine that can perform a variety of tasks either on command or by being programmed in advance. Robots can move about on their own and often have sensors so they can react to things around them. Robots can be used in factories and in scientific research.
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