From: chadwell@UTKVX.UTCC.UTK.EDU (Chadwell, Leonard)
Subject: Re: INFO?: References on "alternative" tactile feedback
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 1993 01:08:00 GMT
Organization: University of Tennessee Computing Center



In article <1rmcvhINN500@shelley.u.washington.edu>,
diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco) writes...

>About this I know there's a biomedical company in TX, CM Research which
>sells a system to deliver both cold and hot (as well as measure it on one
>channel and reproduce it on another), but they don't mention the possibility
>of using this to deliver "alternative" tactile feedback. They just say, in
>the possible applications, temperature feedback.
> 
>BTW the system is the DTSS X1 (Displacement Temperature Sensing System).

These devices have been around for a few years.  They are called
Peltier junctions.  New advances in surface-mount technology, and the
new techniques in chip design have made them much smaller.  By
applying current to the junction, one side shunts heat to the other.
One side becomes cold, and the other becomes hot.  The change in
temperature is controlled by the current applied.

What I want to know about is if anyone has seen, made, invented, etc.,
an electro-expansive polymer plastic (also could be called a
piezo-electric plastic)?...Would be perfect for large scale high
resolution tactile feedback.

Still searching....

\\ PHOENIX //
CHADWELL@UTKVX.UTK.EDU
"Whaddya mean, it can't handle the current?  Sizzle....   Oh, That's what..."