People with Special Needs, General & Miscellaneous Science

Bionic Hand

Name: Bionic Hand
Author: Adam Woog
ISBN: 9781603570732

by Adam Woog

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Overview

Every great invention begins with a great idea! Read all the books in this series and learn about the history and impact of some of the most fascinating innovations and inventions of our time. Explore the idea's early stages of development, problems encountered along the way, and how each great idea has influenced our lives.

In some science fiction movies, main characters have machined body parts that help them do just about anything, including flying. Though the i-LIMB Hand can't help people to fly, it has helped many amputees regain the use of a hand and their pride. The hand uses signals from the brain in order to hold a key, turn a door knob, grab a can off a crowded grocery shelf, and other tasks that require delicacy and agility.

Read The Bionic Hand to learn these interesting facts and more about artificial hands:

The brain uses tiny electrical signals to send messages to the muscles. These signals generate energy that is less than a millionth of the strength of a light bulb.

People who get a Bionic Hand do not need to have surgery to attach it.

Even though a person loses a hand, his or her brain never forgets how to use the hand.

The brain will send signals to the i-LIMB Hand just like it did a real hand.

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Editorials

Children's Literature - Naomi Butler

This title is part of the "A Great Idea" series. It explores the development and creation of the i-LIMB which is the first commercially available bionic hand. Chapters include: "The Idea, How It Works, Making a Difference," and "Into the Future." There is a glossary, a "For More Information," an index, picture credits, and "About the Author." Words that appear in bold in the text are defined in the glossary. There is even a "Did You Know?" on the back cover. This book seems to be very thorough and informative. The format includes photos with subtitles, charts, explanatory pullouts, symbols that call attention to particular information, and a section about the author. Every aspect of this title is well done. The pre-bound cover is most attractive. This series should be a "must buy" for any library collections. Reviewer: Naomi Butler

School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—Each of these titles highlights a specific, and often obscure, invention from the past decade that is making, or has the potential to make, a real difference in the world. With a mix of scientific terminology and accessible sentence structure, the books effectively describe how the ideas took shape and were put into practice by the scientists involved. Students are generally intrigued by robots and will find Nexi Robot of particular interest, though the author is careful to explain the limitations of what this robot currently can and cannot do. Seed Vault explains the need to preserve endangered plant species and how they are collected and protected. Sunscreen for Plants shows how early attempts at protecting crops from overexposure to the sun were either ineffective or somehow harmful to the plant, and how a few individuals worked together to devise a product that was both effective and ecologically sound. Bionic Hand is a fascinating look at how biology and technology are being used to create more useful prostheses for those who have lost a limb. In all of the books, color photographs are included on every page and provide a visual complement to the texts. Small "Did You Know?" boxes appear on nearly every spread and offer up short, interesting facts. Current, relevant Web sites are appended. Librarians looking to beef up science or inventions collections may find these solid additions.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA