| Project ID |
BPN573 |
| Website |
|
| Start Date |
Tue 2010-Aug-10 17:51:03 |
| Last Updated |
Thu 2013-Jan-31 03:22:52 |
| Abstract |
The goal of this project is to control the flight of the common housefly, Musca domestica, by electrical stimulation via
implantable electrodes. A one square millimeter integrated circuit (IC) is being designed with a photovoltaic cell for energy
harvesting and one-way optical communication, a charge pump voltage-boosting power supply, and a finite state machine for
biological control. Direct stimulation of basalar muscles (B1 and B2) responsible for in-flight turning is being considered as a first
method of electrical stimulation. Additionally, a second means of flight control is being considered in which the afferent neurons of
the haltere, the fly's gyroscopic sensory organ derived from its vestigial hindwing, will be innervated. Upon completion of this
project, we will have untethered control of a cyborg nano-air vehicle (NAV) via a self-sustaining IC. Additionally, we are
developing a non-invasive muscular potential recording technique on Mecynorrhina torquata. The purpose of this is to enable us to
discern the timing of the muscle contractions to inform the flight controller that will be developed for the cyborg beetle and cyborg
fly. |
| Status |
Continuing |
| Funding Source |
Other |
| IAB Research Area |
BioMEMS |
| Researcher(s) |
Travis L. Massey |
| Advisor(s) |
Michel M. Maharbiz, Kristofer S.J. Pister |
|
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