EFRI BSBA: Complex microsystem networks inspired by internal insect physiology

摘要这项研究的目的是了解昆虫是如何产生和控制内部流动的，并利用这一知识来创造新的、高效的、受生物启发的流体运输系统。目前复杂微系统中流量输送和调节的方法依赖于定向驱动和主动控制。相比之下，昆虫经过数百万年的进化，使用灵活的组织、简单的驱动以及内置在网络本身的被动、分布式控制来有效地管理流动。该方法结合了昆虫内部动力学的同步辐射x射线成像、昆虫容器的材料特性、流体力学建模和实验以及先进的微机械制造技术。拟议的研究成果的智力优势包括改变了公认的在小范围系统中基于流体的传输方法，进一步发展了先进的实验和制造技术，以及对昆虫生理学的理解方面的基本进展。这项拟议的研究有可能改变小规模系统中流量输送和调节的范式，导致新的生物工程组织和能源效率高的、生物医学可植入的微型设备。更广泛的影响将包括将该项目的结果整合到K-12和大学层面的教育项目中。将开发整合生物和工程的新课程，让城市和农村课堂上的代表不足的学生参加。更广泛的公众还将通过直接参与国家地理的新电视和电影制作来接受教育。此外，更深入地了解昆虫呼吸和循环的工作方式将导致有针对性的生物控制的新机制，使农业、住宅和商业害虫管理在经济上取得重大进展。

AbstractThe objective of this research is to understand how insects produce and control internal flows and to use this knowledge to create novel, highly efficient, bio-inspired fluid-transport systems. Current approaches to flow delivery and regulation in complex microsystems rely on targeted actuation and active control. In contrast, insects have evolved over millions of years to efficiently manage flows using flexible tissues, simple actuation, and passive, distributed control built into the network itself. The approach combines synchrotron x-ray imaging of internal insect dynamics, material characterization of insect vessels, fluid mechanics modeling and experiments, and advanced micromechanical fabrication technology.The intellectual merit of the proposed research effort includes transformation of the accepted approach to fluid-based transport in small-scale systems, further development of advanced experimental and fabrication techniques, and fundamental advances in the understanding of insect physiology. The proposed research has the potential to change the paradigm for flow delivery and regulation in small-scale systems, leading to new bioengineered tissues and energy-efficient, biomedically-implantable microdevices. The broader impacts will include integrating the findings from this project into educational programs at the K-12 and university levels. New lessons that integrate biology and engineering will be developed with under-represented students in urban and rural classrooms. The broader public will also be educated through direct involvement with new television and film productions of National Geographic. Additionally, a deeper understanding of how insect respiration and circulation work will lead to novel mechanisms for targeted biocontrol, enabling economically significant advances in agricultural, residential, and commercial pest management.