CAREER: Biologically-Inspired Integrated Sensors for Robotics Applications

目前，传感器的开发是一个极其昂贵和耗时的过程。尽管传感器技术取得了进步，但基于独特性能规格和低容量需求的集成传感器并不适用于机器人。集成传感器在机器人应用中的全部潜力还没有实现。PI建议引入一种人造毛细胞，它的灵感来自生物毛细胞受体，作为各种传感器的模块化构建块。广泛的目标是建立一个激进的传感器体系结构和一种新的方法，以有效地开发用于机器人应用的集成传感器。该研究项目的具体目标是：(1)建立单个毛细胞传感器的设计原则、制造工艺和材料专业知识，并评估和优化其机械特性；(2)在两个典型的传感器系统-陀螺仪和人工侧线传感器-水下机器人中实现人造毛细胞。在职业生涯中，私校会积极追求卓越的教育。在获奖期间，PI计划开展四项活动，包括(1)在微电子机械系统(MEMS)领域开设一个新的本科生/研究生课程；(2)开设一个新的MEMS班级，作为培养专业人员的工程硕士联合学位课程的一个组成部分；(3)一项鼓励高中生探索的教育推广计划；(4)推广活动。预计这些发展将极大地丰富和加强伊利诺伊大学和社区的教育项目。

Sensor development is an extremely costly and time-consuming process at the present time. Integrated sensors based on unique performance specifications and low volume needs are unavailable for robotics use despite the advancement in sensor technologies. The full potential of integrated sensors in robotics applications is not realized. The PI proposes to introduce an artificial hair cell, which is inspired by biological hair cell receptors, as a modular building block for a variety of sensors. The broadobjective is to establish a radical sensor architecture and a new approach for the efficient development of integrated sensors for robotics applications. Specific objectives of this research project are: (1) to establish the design principles, fabrication processes, and material expertise for individual hair cell sensors and to assess and optimize their mechanical characteristics; (2) to implement artificial hair cells in twoexemplary sensor systems - a gyroscopic and an artificial lateral-linesensor for underwater robots. Excellence in education will be vigorously pursued in the PI's career. During the period of this award, the PI plans to undertake fourinitiatives including (1) a new undergraduate/graduate curriculum in thearea of micro electromechanical systems (MEMS); (2) a new MEMS class as an integral component of a joint Master of Engineering degree program to educate professionals; (3) an education outreach program that encourages high-school students to explore; (4) outreach activities. It is anticipated that these developments will significantly enrich and strengthen the educational programs in the University of Illinois and the community.