Encourage them to use the Internet to find out more about the work of Professor Richard Norman, who is attempting to restore sight by stimulating the brain in a normal fashion. Encourage students to share their findings, making sure they are all aware that Norman is utilizing a video camera, microchips, and a microelectrode array to send signals to the visual cortex of the brain. Students should draw a clearly labeled diagram of each device and another diagram of the biological structure to which the device corresponds. Back to Top Provide students with a labeled diagram of the human eye, optic nerve, and brain. Back to Top 1.
Materials technology is very much a part of the development of bionic parts.
Bionic enhancement will give rise to many ethical issues, such as the factors used in determining who receives the implants. Development of bionic humans might require redefinition of the term handicapped. Suggest a timescale that will allow students to see the rapid rate of increase in advancements. After the time line is completed, have students predict when the first bionic eye, bionic ear, and so on will be implanted. The greatest difficulty in developing artificial hands and arms has been a lack of sensory input.