[ad_1]
A team of international scientists, led by researchers from Japan’s Riken Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR), has developed an Arduino-based control module to turn living cockroaches into remote-controlled cyborgs. The energy required for the electronics is supplied by a buffer battery that is charged by a small solar cell. According to the researchers, the insects should be able to be used to inspect dangerous areas or to monitor the environment.
In the one from the science team Paper “Integration of body-mounted ultrasoft organic solar cell on cyborg insects with intact mobility” published in the journal npj Flexible Electronics the researchers describe how they remotely control a cockroach with their backpack module. The science team was faced with the challenge of being able to control the insects over a longer period of time in order to be able to carry out longer missions. That’s why the team, led by Kenjiro Fukuda of the Riken CPR, decided to have the battery-powered control electronics housed in a mini backpack powered by a solar cell. This is to avoid the insect having to return to a charging station or getting “out of control” in the event of a loss of energy.
Solar module for energy supply
For their experiments, the research team used Madagascar cockroaches, which are around 6 cm long and therefore offer a certain surface area to attach electronics, a battery and a 0.004 mm thin, organic solar module to their backs. To do this, the researchers developed a special adhesive system that keeps the solar module on the body longer without falling off and restricts the insect’s movements as little as possible.
This turned out to be more complicated than expected, because parts of the insect’s exoskeleton overlap, causing the abdomen to change as it moves. The cells of the solar module were therefore applied in layers, some glued, some without glue, in order to allow flexibility and freedom of movement without the module coming loose.
Researchers also experimented with thicker cells and complete attachment. However, this limited the insects in such a way that they needed about twice as long to cover a distance. In addition, they could no longer stand up by themselves if they fell on their backs.
The solar module delivers an output power of 17.2 mW, explains Fukuda. That is 50 times more than what modern energy harvesting devices can currently provide for living insects. The researchers put the necessary lithium-polymer battery for energy buffering in a “backpack” made of elastic polymer using 3D printing. The shape was specially adapted to the insect in order to restrict freedom of movement as little as possible. According to the research team, the battery lasts stably on the cockroach for about a month.
Control via Arduino
The team uses Arduino technology for remote control and leg stimulation. For remote control, they use an Arduino UNO, which controls a wireless radio module NRF24L01+. The researchers use this to send signals to steer the cockroach to the left and right. The same module, which is connected to an Arduino Pro Mini, serves as the remote station. The Arduino Pro Mini evaluates the control signals and stimulates the cockroach’s legs so that it moves left or right.
The basic structure of the cyborg system for controlling a cockroach.
Fukuda sees the system’s lightweight and flexible design as effective for targeting cyborg insects. In his opinion, it could also be used in an adapted form for flying insects such as cicadas or beetles.
(olb)
[ad_2]
This is Auto Posted article collected article from different sources of internet, EOS doesn’t take any responsibilities of this article. If you found something wrong in this article, please tell us.
