CAREER: Biologically-Inspired Integrated Sensors for Robotics Applications

目前，传感器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仍无法用于机器人。 集成传感器在机器人应用中的全部潜力尚未实现。 PI建议引入一种受生物毛细胞受体启发的人工毛细胞，作为各种传感器的模块化构建块。 的broadobjective是建立一个激进的传感器架构和一个新的方法，为机器人应用集成传感器的有效发展。 本研究计画的具体目标是：（1）建立个别毛细胞感测器的设计原则、制造流程与材料专业知识，并评估与最佳化其机械特性;（2）将人工毛细胞应用于两个典型的感测系统--一个陀螺仪与一个水下机器人的人工侧线感测器。卓越的教育将在PI的职业生涯中大力追求。在此期间授予，PI计划进行四项举措，包括（1）一个新的本科/研究生课程在微机电系统（MEMS）领域;（2）一个新的MEMS类作为一个联合工程硕士学位课程的一个组成部分，以教育专业人士;（3）一个教育推广计划，鼓励高中学生探索;（4）推广活动。 预计这些发展将大大丰富和加强伊利诺伊大学和社区的教育计划。

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.