A Tiny Gyro, the Size of a Grain of Sand - What for ?

Inertial guidance in any small electronics device. Combine three of them oriented orthogonally to detect rotation, with 3 orthogonal MEMS accelerometers to detect linear movement, and you've got the basis for an inertial guidance system that can work without GPS. Cars, phones, game controllers -- I suppose there are dozens of devices that might use these.

Isn't it obvious? Now we can finally develop electronically-guided grains of rice for weddings!

The "around the corner" bullet, is just around the corner.

I would question if this device could withstand the tremendous g force it would be exposed to when accelerating to 850 to 3000 fps (depending on caliber) from a rest in a microsecond or two. I could envision this device being used in a medical transplant designed to restore the sense of balance to an individual with inner ear problems. Edmund

I agree, for a conventional bullet. I should have used the term "projectile" but then I would be construed as serious.

007

You could build a nano size Segway that drives itself over a cliff (edge of a book).

They could restore equilibrium to people who's internal gyroscopes have been thrown off.

I had to learn to walk sideways.

The trend is to develop flying micro drones. Such a device is exactly tailored for them. The micro drones try to copy insect flying. Mini rate sensors and accelerometers are already available in mems technology. For both types main problems is sensitivity and zero drift stability versus time and temperature. The rate sensors developed in mems technology are already at a high level but for many applications too big (5 x 5 mm). Accelerometers have about same dimensions. To come from an angular rate to an angle an integration versus time is needed, to come to a displacement from an acceleration 2 integrations are required. This explains why zero and sensitivity stability are of such an importance.

I understand that the 'Segway' uses 4 electronic gyros. I have no idea what size they are...

Being blessed with Parkinson's Disease I experience a range of "movement disorders" from tremors to the wiggles that Michael J. Fox displayed during the stem cell hearings before congress. In an attempt to keep ahead of the game my Doc gives me an ever changing menu of prescription drugs. He relies on my anecdotal rememberance of the cause and effect of the medications, which I admit is far from accurate even on the days I keep a log. Since each movement disorder is distinctive in its pattern an earpiece or pendant or even implant with a Gyro could learn the distinctive motions of the symptoms, even the motion of pill swallowing and spit out a pretty good record of events and their cause and effect.

Existing rate sensors with dimensions of 5x5 mm ( ≈ 0.2") are small enough to allow a solution as you think off. It can be done if some money is affected for the development of a device similar to the hear aids with batteries and conditioner and memory. I think an integrated device could have a weight of a few grams and the dimensions 8x25x6 which is acceptable for a 3 directions rate sensor. A rough estimate leads to a change of batteries every week.

Nintendo may have the basic technology with Wii. I can see 2 dimensional patterns when using the balance board for their "steadiness test". I just haven't heard of anyone studying the "traces" of different movement disorders, but believe that each movement has a signature that could be identified and picked out from normal movements such as walking or typing or eating or bathroom activities, etc.

That is a great idea, if we keep dreaming up uses the hope is that Nano Labs around the world will start trying to implement our ideas for the benefit of many.

Nano Gyros: Imagine clothing with nano gyros strategically located at center(s) of gravity to provide upright stability for people to prevent falls due to balance control issues. Take the steady camera rig concept and join it to a PT (physical therapy) belt with at least two axis stability for a large scale prototype. Once the control sequence is tested and optimized the final product is clothing worn for the purpose of balance.

This technology coupled with nano muscle fibers in developement at UT Dallas for the Air Force could prevent falls due to muscle weakness and motor skills issues that we all will experience. Don Fearing, PE