Journal of Bionic Engineering最新文献

In recent years, robots used for targeted drug delivery in the stomach have received extensive attention. Inspired by tumbleweeds, we have designed a dual-responsive soft robot based on poly(N‑isopropylacrylamide) and MoS₂. Under the action of an adjustable magnetic field, it can achieve steady motion at a frequency that allows it to move up to 35 mm/s, demonstrating high flexibility and controllability. It can also roll along a predetermined path, traverse mazes, climb over obstacles, among other functions. In addition, by harnessing the photothermal conversion effect of MoS₂, the robot can be opened and closed using light, enabling controlled drug release. Targeted drug delivery is achieved in a gastric model using our designed soft robot, marking a significant clinical advancement expected to revolutionize future medical treatments and enhance the efficacy of drug therapy.

This research paper introduces a soft VR glove that enhances how users interact with virtual objects. It seamlessly integrates discrete modules for sensing and providing haptic feedback, encompassing tactile and kinaesthetic aspects while prioritizing wearability and natural finger movements. The glove employs custom-designed flexible bend sensors with carbon-impregnated film for in-situ joint angle tracking, simplifying the sensing system and enhancing portability. A multi-modal haptic feedback approach includes an innovative pneumatically actuated tactile feedback technique and a motor-tendon-driven kinaesthetic feedback system, providing exceptional realism in virtual object manipulation. The glove’s kinaesthetic feedback lets users perceive virtual objects’ size, shape, and stiffness characteristics. Psychophysical investigations demonstrate how readily the users acclimate to this hardware and prove each module’s effectiveness and synergistic operation. This soft VR glove represents a minimalist, lightweight, and comprehensive solution for authentic haptic interaction in virtual environments, opening new possibilities for applications in various fields.

A robust Adaptive Discrete-time Sliding Mode Controller (ADSMC) is formulated, and is applied to control the pitch motion of a simulated Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle (FWMAV). There is great potential for FWMAVs to be used as aerial tools to assist with gathering data and surveying environments. Thanks to modern manufacturing and technology, along with an increased comprehension behind the aerodynamics of wing flaps, these vehicles are now a reality, though not without limitations. Given their diminutive size, FWMAVs are susceptible to real-world disturbances, such as wind gusts, and are sensitive to particular variations in their build quality. While external forces such as wind gusts can be reasonably bounded, the unknown variations in the state may be difficult to characterize or bound without affecting performance. To address these problems, an ADSMC is developed. First, the FWMAV model is converted from continuous-time to discrete-time. Second, an ADSMC for the newly discretized FWMAV model is developed. Using this controller, the trajectory tracking performance of the FWMAV is assessed against a traditional discrete sliding mode controller, and is found to have a decreased chattering frequency and decreased control effort for the same task. Therefore, the ADSMC is assessed as the superior controller, despite being completely unaware of the model parameters or wind gust.

Numerous arthropods evolve and optimize sensory systems, enabling them to effectively adapt complex and competitive habitats. Typically, scorpions can precisely perceive the prey location with the lowest metabolic rate among invertebrates. This biological phenomenon contrasts sharply with engineered systems, which generally associates high accuracy with substantial energy consumption. Inspired by the Scorpion Compound Slit Sensilla (SCSS) with a stress field modulation strategy, a bionic positioning sensor with superior precision and minimal power consumption is developed for the first time, which utilizes the particular Minimum Positioning Units (MPUs) to efficiently locate vibration signals. The single MPU of the SCSS can recognize the direction of collinear loads by regulating the stress field distribution and further, the coupling action of three MPUs can realize all-angle vibration monitoring in plane. Experiments demonstrate that the bionic positioning sensor achieves 1.43 degrees of angle-error-free accuracy without additional energy supply. As a proof of concept, two bionic positioning sensors and machine learning algorithm are integrated to provide centimeter (cm)-accuracy target localization, ideally suited for the man-machine interaction. The novel design offers a new mechanism for the design of traditional positioning devices, improving precision and efficiency in both the meta-universe and real-world Internet-connected systems.

In this paper, inspired by the running motion gait of a cheetah, an H-shaped bionic piezoelectric robot (H-BPR) based on the standing wave principle is proposed and designed. The piezoelectric robot realizes linear motion, turning motion, and turning motion with different radii by the voltage differential driving method. A prototype with a weight of 38 g and dimensions of 150 × 80 × 31 mm³ was fabricated. Firstly, the dynamics and kinematics of the piezoelectric robot were analyzed to obtain the trajectory of a point at the end of the piezoelectric robot leg. The motion principle of the piezoelectric robot was analyzed, and then the piezoelectric robot’s modal analysis and harmonic response analysis were carried out using finite element analysis software. Finally, an experimental setup was built to verify the effectiveness and high efficiency of the robot’s motion, and the effects of frequency, voltage, load, and height of the driving leg on the robot’s motion performance were discussed. The performance test results show that the piezoelectric robot has a maximum velocity of 66.79 mm/s at an excitation voltage of 320 V and a load capacity of 55 g. In addition, the H-BPR with unequal drive legs has better climbing performance, and the obtained conclusions are informative for selecting leg heights for piezoelectric robots.

Graphical Abstract

Bio-inspired magnetic helical microrobots have great potential for biomedical and micromanipulation applications. Precise interaction with objects in liquid environments is an important prerequisite and challenge for helical microrobots to perform various tasks. In this study, an automatic control method is proposed to realize the axial docking of helical microrobots with arbitrarily placed cylindrical objects in liquid environments. The docking process is divided into ascent, approach, alignment, and insertion stages. First, a 3D docking path is planned according to the positions and orientations of the microrobot and the target object. Second, a steering-based 3D path-following controller guides the helical microrobot to rise away from the container bottom and approach the target along the path. Third, based on path design with gravity compensation and steering output limits, alignment of position and orientation can be accomplished simultaneously. Finally, the helical microrobot completes the docking under the rotating magnetic field along the target orientation. Experiments verified the automatic docking of the helical microrobot with static targets, including connecting with micro-shafts and inserting into micro-tubes. The object grasping of a reconfigurable helical microrobot aided by 3D automatic docking was also demonstrated. This method enables precise docking of helical microrobots with objects, which might be used for capture and sampling, in vivo navigation control, and functional assembly of microrobots.

Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) is regarded as a promising sensor carrier due to its inherent three-dimensional porous structure. However, as two mutually exclusive properties of the pressure sensor, sensitivity and working range are difficult to be further improved by the single porous structure. Inspired by the unique geometry of Oxalis corniculata L. leaves, we here propose a novel method consist of laser pre-etching and inducing steps to fabricate LIG-based electrodes with a two-stage architecture featuring microjigsaw and microporous structures. The following injection of liquid-silicone significantly improves the friction resistance and bending reliability of LIG materials. The interface contact between external microjigsaw structures induces substantial resistance changes, and the internal microporous structure exhibits reversibility during dynamic deformation. Consequently, the jigsaw-like pressure sensor achieves a balanced performance with sensitivities of 3.64, 1.20 and 0.03 kPa^− 1 in pressure range of 0 − 20, 20 − 40 and 40 − 150 kPa, respectively. The bionic LIG-based pressure sensor serves as the core component and further integrated with an all-in-one wireless transmission system capable of monitoring various health parameters such as subtle pulse rates, heartbeat rhythms, sounds, etc., indicating broad prospects in future wearable electronics.

Micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) have flexibility and maneuverability, which can offer vast potential for applications in both civilian and military domains. Compared to Fixed-wing/Rotor-wing MAVs, Flapping Wing Micro Robots (FWMRs) have garnered widespread attention among scientists due to their superior miniaturized aerodynamic theory, reduced noise, and enhanced resistance to disturbances in complex and diverse environments. Flying insects, it not only has remarkable flapping flight ability (wings), but also takeoff and landing habitat ability (legs). If the various functions of flying insects can be imitated, efficient biomimetic FWMRs can be produced. This paper provides a review of the flight kinematics, aerodynamics, and wing structural parameters of insects. Then, the traditional wings and folding wings of insect-inspired FWMRs were compared. The research progress in takeoff and landing of FWMRs was also summarized, and the future developments and challenges for insect-inspired FWMRs were discussed.

With the continuously increasing awareness of energy conservation and the intensifying impacts of global warming, Personal Thermal Management (PTM) technologies are increasingly recognized for their potential to ensure human thermal comfort in extreme environments. Biomimetic structures have emerged as a novel source of inspiration for PTM applications. This review systematically summarizes the biomimetic structures, phase change materials, manufacturing methods, and the performance of multifunctional PTM wearables. Firstly, it analyzes the biomimetic structures with thermal regulation and encapsulated phase change material functionalities from different dimensions, highlighting their applications in PTM. Subsequently, it outlines the conventional manufacturing methods incorporating various biomimetic structures, offering strategies for the production of PTM wearables. The review also discusses the typical performance characteristics of multifunctional PTM wearables, addressing the current demands in thermal management. Finally, opportunities and challenges in PTM field are proposed, proposing new directions for future research.

Underwater jet propulsion bio-inspired robots have typically been designed based on soft-bodied organisms, exhibiting relatively limited forms of locomotion. Scallop, a bivalve organism capable of jet propulsion, holds significant importance in the study of underwater motion mechanisms. In this study, we present theoretical fluid mechanics analysis and modeling of the three distinct motion stages of scallops, providing parameterized descriptions of scallop locomotion mechanisms. Accordingly, three-stage adaptive motion control for the scallop robot and model-based robot configuration optimization design were achieved. An experimental platform and a robot prototype were built to validate the accuracy of the motion model and the effectiveness of the control strategy. Additionally, based on the models, future optimization directions for the robot are proposed.