Collaborative Research: Biologically Inspired Robotic Microswimmers

细菌鞭毛推进系统是自然界中产生微米级运动的非凡系统，因为它们独特的分子聚合物结构可以根据当地的化学和流动条件适应不同的形状。它们的运动引起一种局部流动，可以用来推动细胞，以及更大的结构通过流体环境。这个合作研究小组计划了解、模拟和开发鞭毛推进的物理特性，用于工程微流体系统。该项目的目标是了解控制鞭毛推进装置（包括单个游泳者和集体动力装置）组装和操作的基本科学原理，以及展示必要的使能技术，以利用微结构上的聚合蛋白质纳米结构，如细菌鞭毛丝，用于微米级工程推进系统。德雷塞尔大学和布朗大学之间的这项合作提案是第一个关注与细菌鞭毛细丝的多态转化相关的特定特征，以证明以受控和定向的方式在微流体景观中移动更大的工程元件的能力。这项提案提出的基本科学优点包括在微米级推进的工程系统中使用纳米级鞭毛细丝。基本问题是要回答有关机制，导致鞭毛丝的自我协调，以应对各种外部刺激。鞭毛细丝在各种微流体环境中运输微结构的可能协调将被研究，从而使一种全新的游泳机器人系统能够应用于生物工程致动器、药物输送系统和微米级运输和组装机器。在微纳米尺度上对细菌鞭毛细丝的控制以及将信息技术与生物和纳米技术相结合的能力的展示将产生重大影响。该项目将有一个密集的外联部分，包括积极招聘和培训女性和未被充分代表的少数族裔工程师，利用和扩大布朗大学和德雷塞尔大学已经实施的现有和经过证实的项目，并通过BROWNOUT（布朗大学）和INSPIRE（德雷塞尔大学）项目向普罗维登斯和费城的市中心高中学生和教师群体进行外联。这使得课堂培训和大学校园教师驻校项目成为可能。

CBET-0828239BreuerBacterial flagellar propulsion represents an extraordinary system in nature for generating motion at the micrometer scale due to their unique molecular polymeric structure adapting to different shapes, depending on the local chemical and flow conditions. Their motion induces a local flow that can be used to propel cells, as well as much larger structures through a fluid environment. This collaborative research team plans to understand, to model and to exploit the physics of flagellar propulsion for use in engineered microfluidic systems. The objective of the program is to understand the fundamental scientific principles that govern the assembly and operation of flagellar-propelled devices (both single swimmers and collectively-powered devices), as well as to demonstrate the enabling technologies necessary to harness polymeric protein nanostructures such as bacterial flagellar filaments on microstructures for use in micron-scale engineered propulsion systems. This collaborative proposal between Drexel University and Brown University is the first to focus on the specific characteristics associated with the polymorphic transformation of bacterial flagellar filaments to demonstrate the ability to move larger engineered elements through a microfluidic landscape in a controlled and directed manner. Fundamental scientific merits addressed by this proposal include using nanoscale flagellar filaments in engineered systems for micron-scale propulsion. Basic questions are to be answered regarding the mechanisms leading to self-coordination of flagellar filaments in responses to a variety of external stimuli. Possible coordination of flagellar filaments to transport microstructures in various microfluidic environments will be examined, thus enabling an entirely new class of swimming robotic systems with applications to bio-engineered actuators, drug delivery systems, and machines for micron-scale transport and assembly. Demonstration of the control of bacterial flagellar filaments at micro- and nanoscales and the ability to integration information technology with bio and nanotechnology will have great impact. The program will have an intensive outreach component, including active recruitment and training of women and underrepresented minorities engineers leveraging and expanding existing and proven programs already in place at Brown and Drexel and outreach to inner-city high school student and teacher populations in both Providence and Philadelphia through the BROWNOUT (Brown) and INSPIRE (Drexel) programs. These enable in-classroom training and teacher-in-residence programs at the university campuses.