18WuD2x

74 binaural • biofeedback monitor
to re-create the stereo effect. The technique
evolved into multichannel stereophonic reproduction.
binaural machine hearing Also called stereo machine
hearing. The ability of a machine, such as a
robot, to sense the direction and distance to a
source of sound, using two acoustic transducers
and a computer to process their output signals.
The machine determines the location of the
sound source by comparing the relative amplitude
and phase of the signals from the two transducers.
It functions according to the same
principle as human hearing, in which a person
can determine the general direction and distance
to a sound source by subconsciously comparing
the relative amplitude and phase of the sounds
arriving at the left and right ears.
binaural sound The equivalent of a listener hearing
a concert through a pair of earholes; it takes
earphones to reproduce the signal. If speakers
are substituted for the earphones, the listener
hears monophonically, as if standing back several
feet from the earholes.
binder A material (such as lacquer) that acts as a
holder and cohesive medium for the particles of
another material. It is used in carbon resistors,
ceramic dielectric bodies, powder cores, and resistive
and metallic paints.
binding energy A property of the nucleus of an
atom. The binding energy of a nucleus is equal to
the difference between the nuclear weight and the
sum of the weights of the lighter particles making
up the nucleus. The nucleus is stable when the
binding energy is high.
binding force Any one of the electrostatic forces
that bind crystals together.
binding post A screw-type terminal of various
styles, often having a hole into which a wire or tip
can be inserted and gripped. It is used for temporary
indoor connections only.
binding post
binistor A semiconductor switching device that exhibits
two stable states and also negative resistance.
binocular machine vision Also called stereoscopic
machine vision. The ability of a machine vision
system to provide depth and perspective data.
Uses two optical sensors spaced a fixed distance
apart. The left sensor sees a slightly different image
than the right sensor. These two images are
combined and processed by a computer, allowing
the machine (such as a mobile robot) to determine
the distances to various objects in its environment.
Functions on the same principle as
stereoscopic human vision.
bin picking In robotics, the selection of a particular
object from a container (bin) in which there
are many objects. Can be done using object
recognition, bar coding, or passive transponders.
It requires a sensor, operating in conjunction
with a computer that processes the sensed data
and controls the movements of the robot.
binomial An algebraic expression containing two
terms joined by a plus or minus sign. Examples:
a 2 + b 2 , 3x 3 – 6x.
binomial theorem The theorem, proven by Isaac
Newton, permits a binomial to be raised to any
desired power without performing the multiplications.
In electronics, power series are convenient
for expressing such expressions.
biochemical cell A fuel-cell energy source in
which electricity is generated chemically through
the oxidation of biological substances. Also called
biochemical fuel cell.
biochip
1. A natural, living organism with a physical
structure that in some way resembles that of
an electronic integrated circuit (IC). 2. A theoretical
possibility, according to some scientists, but
not yet a practical reality: An IC manufactured by
a laboratory process that mimics the way in
which nature builds living organisms. A form of
artificial life, harnessed for electronic and/or
computing applications.
bioelectricity 1. Electric currents in living tissues,
generated by the organism and not applied by external
means. 2. The science or study of such
currents.
bioelectrogenesis The study and application of
electricity generated by living animals, including
humans, in the powering and control of electronic
devices.
bioelectronics Electronics in relation to the life
sciences—especially the electronic instrumentation
of biological experiments.
bioengineering 1. The engineering of equipment,
such as electron microscopes, electroencephalographs,
centrifuges, irradiators, etc., for study
and experimentation in the life sciences. 2. The
engineering of equipment, such as pacemakers,
hearing aids, X-ray apparatus, shock-therapy
units, etc., for aid or support-of-life processes.
biofeedback A technique in which changes in skin
temperature and resistance are detected and displayed
by an electronic device.
biofeedback monitor A system that provides an
indication of skin temperature and resistance to
a user. Because skin temperature and resistance
are affected by emotions, such as fear, nervous-