Sun Microsystems of Canada to supply computer network server and storage infrastructure for critical systems that will directly affect how the world will appreciate the 2010 Winter GamesWATERLOO, On. May13,2009 – Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the beginning of a partnership with the University of Waterloo Nanorobotics Group (UW_NRG) to facilitate the development of its 300 micrometre soccer playing robot to be unveiled in June 2009. UW_NRG hopes the robot will become the first North American entry to win the Robocup Nanogram Competition, being held June 29 – July 5, 2009 in Graz, Austria. Sun has partnered with UW_NRG to supply the research group with the high performance computing power necessary to create elaborate microdevices and to continue building at the nanoscale. This partnership reinforces Sun’s controlling presence in the scientific computation and high performance computing market. Using AMD-powered Sun systems, the group is now able to produce complex simulations using ANSYS fluid dynamics software while minimizing manufacturing costs. “Using Solaris-powered servers has allowed our group to refine and optimize the complex processes involved in creating nano robots,” said Keith Peiris, project director of UW_NRG and an undergraduate engineering student. “Through the precise modeling by this new system, we were able to reduce energy and design costs by up to 90 per cent.” Peiris’ team has created the world’s smallest air propulsion system using microfluidics to move their robot across any surface with ease. The robot is controlled by a proprietary image recognition system and a moving laser beam. This unique system allows for control of multiple robots simultaneously in a defined space, unlike any other nanoscale robot to date. The technology pioneered in this device has the potential to change the way the world looks at micro devices. With an easy way to propel small devices, it will be possible to develop autonomous imaging and manipulation devices. "This is something that you would normally see coming out of Sun Labs, not a university," says Sue Good, Director of Marketing at Sun Canada. "These students are really pushing the boundary of what we had thought was possible at the undergraduate level." About UW_NRG UW_NRG is an undergraduate-led research group with a focus on microfluidics and systems integration on the micro scale. Its current goal is to participate in the 2009 Robocup Nanogram competition in Graz, Austria. With many innovative and groundbreaking technologies including two reciprocating micropumps, an innovative optical power and control scheme, it expects a strong showing at this competition.The group comprises 15 undergraduate students in Nanotechnology, Mechatronics, Computer and Electrical Engineering with Professor Mustafa Yavuz of Mechatronics Engineering, and Professor Omar Ramahi of Electrical Engineering acting as its advisors. The team’s website is http://uwnrg.org and it is always open to partnerships with commercial and academic groups around the world. About Sun Microsystems Sun Microsystems develops the technologies that power the global marketplace. Guided by a singular vision – "The Network is the Computer" – Sun drives network participation through shared innovation, community development and open source leadership. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com |
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