CAREER: Power and information transmission kinetics in multifunctional electrolytic vascular systems

该提案的目标是探索一种新的范例，将多种化学功能整合到一个类似于血管和神经系统的生物启发系统中。要研究的具体功能是通过电解液的功率分配和信息传输，以及通过电化学晶体管之间的软离子连接进行信息传输。这项研究的结果将使多功能合成血管系统能够储存能量，为驱动提供机械传动，允许通信，并改进附近电子设备的计算。在这项工作中开发的实验结果和理论工具将有助于克服软机器人的自主性、控制和能量存储方面的根本挑战。尽管这些能力将针对软机器人，但它们将在所有机器人和机器上广泛使用。为了实现项目目标，PI将把基础研究和教育活动结合成一个综合计划，通过课外活动、跨学科课程、本科生研究和社区发展，培养新一代科学家和工程师，在电化学、电子学和机器人技术的交叉点工作。学生将获得行业所需领域的知识和技能。新的举措还将增加女性、代表不足的少数族裔和第一代学生参与国家一级方程式电动赛车比赛。现代机器是通过集成专门的组件来设计的，这些组件在个别预定功能上表现出色。相比之下，生物系统，如循环系统、肌肉系统和神经系统，通过在水溶液中使用多功能化学过程，实现了令人印象深刻的能力。尽管功能多样，但由于很难控制所有的化学官能度以及与电解液的接口，水性体系很少作为活性成分出现在机器中。这项工作的智力意义将来自于新的实验和理论模型，以了解电解液中的功率和信息传输。从多个相互作用的电极在瞬变条件下研究离子和溶解氧动力学所获得的知识将使同一电解液中的三种新功能成为可能：无线分布式电力输送(模拟动物循环系统)，直流电和通过电解液的信息传输(模仿神经系统)，以及通过有机电化学晶体管之间的软离子连接进行信息传输(用于神经形态计算)。此外，本科生将构建和测量电解液的热传递系数，并研究其储存能量和传输热量的能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The objective of the proposal is to investigate a new paradigm for integrating multiple chemical functionalities into a bio-inspired system similar to vascular and nervous systems. The specific functionalities to be investigated are power distribution and information transfer through the electrolyte and information transfer through soft, ionic connections between electrochemical transistors. Results from this research will enable multifunctional synthetic vascular systems that store energy, provide mechanical transmission for actuation, allow communication, and improve computation of nearby electronics. The experimental outcomes and theoretical tools developed during this work will contribute towards overcoming fundamental challenges of autonomy, control, and energy storage in soft robotics. Although these capabilities will be targeted towards soft robotics, they will be broadly useful across all robots and machines. To realize the project goals, the PI will combine fundamental research and educational activities into an integrated program that will train a new generation of scientists and engineers to work at the intersection of electrochemistry, electronics, and robotics through extracurriculars, interdisciplinary courses, undergraduate research, and community development. Students will gain knowledge and skills in areas desired by industry. New initiatives will also increase the involvement of women, underrepresented minority, and first-generation students in national Formula electric racing competitions. Modern machines are engineered by integrating specialized components that excel at individual predetermined functions. In contrast, biological systems such as the circulatory, muscular, and nervous systems achieve impressive capabilities through the use of multifunctional chemical processes in an aqueous electrolyte. Despite this diverse functionality, aqueous systems are rarely found as active components in machines due to the difficulty of controlling all the chemical functionality and interfacing with the electrolyte. The intellectual significance of this work will be results from new experiments and theoretical models to understand power and information transmission in electrolyzed fluids. The knowledge gained from studies of ion and dissolved oxygen kinetics under transient conditions with multiple interacting electrodes will enable three new functionalities in the same electrolyte: wire-free distributed power delivery (mimics the animal circulatory system), direct current power and information transmission through the electrolyte (mimics a nervous system), and information transmission through soft, ionic connections between organic electrochemical transistors (for neuromorphic computing). Additionally, undergraduate students will build and measure the heat transfer coefficient of electrolytic fluids, and study their ability to store energy and transport heat.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.