EFRI BSBA: Complex microsystem networks inspired by internal insect physiology

摘要本研究的目的是了解昆虫如何产生和控制内部流动，并利用这些知识来创造新颖、高效、仿生的流体输送系统。目前复杂微系统中流体输送和调节的方法依赖于目标驱动和主动控制。相比之下，昆虫已经进化了数百万年，通过灵活的组织、简单的驱动和内置在网络本身的被动、分布式控制来有效地管理流量。该方法结合了昆虫内部动力学的同步加速器x射线成像，昆虫血管的材料表征，流体力学建模和实验，以及先进的微机械制造技术。这项研究成果的智力价值包括：对小规模系统中基于流体的运输的公认方法的转变，对先进实验和制造技术的进一步发展，以及对昆虫生理学理解的根本性进步。拟议的研究有可能改变小规模系统中流体输送和调节的范例，从而导致新的生物工程组织和节能的、生物医学可植入的微设备。更广泛的影响将包括将该项目的研究结果整合到K-12和大学水平的教育计划中。将为城市和农村教室中代表性不足的学生开发整合生物学和工程学的新课程。更广泛的公众也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如何工作将导致有针对性的生物防治的新机制，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.