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1 – 10 of 539J.K. Stroble, R.B. Stone and S.E. Watkins
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the wide range of biomimetic sensor technology and innovations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the wide range of biomimetic sensor technology and innovations.
Design/methodology/approach
The reader is introduced to biomimetic sensors, their types, their advantages and how they are different from traditional sensors. Background information is also provided regarding sensor design, inspiration and innovation.
Findings
There are two approaches to sensor design, which lead to diverse advantages and innovations. Classification of biomimetic sensors indicated which natural senses are underutilized by sensor designers and researchers.
Originality/value
The paper provides information of value for those seeking innovative sensor designs and research information for those who want to research in this area.
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Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to provide details of biomimetic and neuromorphic sensor research and developments and discuss their applications in robotics.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide details of biomimetic and neuromorphic sensor research and developments and discuss their applications in robotics.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a short introduction, this first provides examples of recent biomimetic gripping and sensing skin research and developments. It then considers neuromorphic vision sensing technology and its potential robotic applications. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.
Findings
Biomimetics aims to exploit mechanisms, structures and signal processing techniques which occur in the natural world. Biomimetic sensors and control techniques can impart robots with a range of enhanced capabilities such as learning, gripping and multidimensional tactile sensing. Neuromorphic vision sensors offer several key operation benefits over conventional frame-based imaging techniques. Robotic applications are still largely at the research stage but uses are anticipated in enhanced safety systems in autonomous vehicles and in robotic gripping.
Originality/value
This illustrates how tactile and imaging sensors based on biological principles can contribute to imparting robots with enhanced capabilities.
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The purpose of this paper is to acquaint a wide audience of readers with some of the unique remote sensing and navigation capabilities of animals.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to acquaint a wide audience of readers with some of the unique remote sensing and navigation capabilities of animals.
Design/methodology/approach
Biomimetic comparison of remote sensors evolved by animals and sensors designed by man. The study and comparison includes thermal infrared sensors used by snakes, echolocation used by bats and dolphins, and navigation methods used by birds. Countermeasures used by prey to avoid capture are also considered.
Findings
Some animals have remote sensing and navigation capabilities that are considerably more efficient than those provided by the human body or designed by man.
Practical implications
Sensor designers may be encouraged to use the biometic approach in the design of new sensors.
Social implications
The paper provides a better understanding of animal behaviour, especially their unique abilities to remotely sense, echolocate and navigate with high accuracy over considerable distances.
Originality/value
The paper presents a comparison of remote sensors used by animals with those developed by humans. Remote sensor designers can learn to improve their sensor designs by studying animal sensors within a biomimetic framework.
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Yixiang Bian, Can He, Kaixuan Sun, Longchao Dai, Hui Shen, Hong Jin and Junjie Gong
The purpose of this paper is to design and fabricate a three-dimensional (3D) bionic airflow sensing array made of two multi-electrode piezoelectric metal-core fibers (MPMFs)…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to design and fabricate a three-dimensional (3D) bionic airflow sensing array made of two multi-electrode piezoelectric metal-core fibers (MPMFs), inspired by the structure of a cricket’s highly sensitive airflow receptor (consisting of two cerci).
Design/methodology/approach
A metal core was positioned at the center of an MPMF and surrounded by a hollow piezoceramic cylinder. Four thin metal films were spray-coated symmetrically on the surface of the fiber that could be used as two pairs of sensor electrodes.
Findings
In 3D space, four output signals of the two MPMFs arrays can form three “8”-shaped spheres. Similarly, the sensing signals for the same airflow are located on a spherical surface.
Originality/value
Two MPMF arrays are sufficient to detect the speed and direction of airflow in all three dimensions.
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Thilo Kahl, Herbert Bousack, Erik S. Schneider and Helmut Schmitz
Early detection of forest fires offers the chance to put the fire out before it gets out of control. The purpose of this paper is to look into nature and to learn how certain…
Abstract
Purpose
Early detection of forest fires offers the chance to put the fire out before it gets out of control. The purpose of this paper is to look into nature and to learn how certain insects detect remote forest fires. A small group of highly specialized insects that have been called pyrophilous is attracted by forest fires and approaches fires sometimes from distances of many kilometers. As a unique feature some of these insects are equipped with infrared (IR) receptors, which in case of two species of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) are used for fire detection.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper has investigated the IR receptors of the pyrophilous beetles with various morphological techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, neuroanatomy and the paper also investigated the thermo-/mechanical properties of the IR receptors by nanoindentation. Data were used for subsequent modeling of a biomimetic technical sensor. Finally, a macroscopic prototype was built and tested.
Findings
This biological principle was transferred into a new kind of uncooled technical IR receptor. A simple model for this biological IR sensor is a modified Golay sensor in which the gas has been replaced by a liquid. Here, the absorbed IR radiation results in a pressure increase of the liquid and the deflection of a thin membrane. For the evaluation of this model, analytical formulas are presented, which permits the calculation of the pressure increase in the cavity, the deformation of the membrane and the time constant of an artificial leak to compensate ambient temperature changes. Some organic liquids with high thermal expansion coefficients may improve the deflection of the membrane compared to water.
Originality/value
Results so far obtained suggest that it seems promising to take the photomechanic IR receptors of pyrophilous jewel beetles as models for the building of new uncooled IR sensors. The beetle receptors have been shaped by evolution since thousands of years and, therefore, can be considered as highly optimized sources of inspiration for new technical sensors suitable for remote fire detection.
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Abstract
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Ling Weng, Zhuolin Li, Xu Luo, Yuanye Zhang and Yang Liu
This paper aims to design a magnetostrictive tactile sensor for surface depth detection. Unlike the human finger, although most tactile sensors have high sensitivity to pressure…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to design a magnetostrictive tactile sensor for surface depth detection. Unlike the human finger, although most tactile sensors have high sensitivity to pressure, they cannot detect millimeter-level depth information on the surface of objects precisely. To enhance the ability to detect surface depth information, a piezomagnetic sensor combining inverse magnetostrictive effect and bionic structure is developed in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
A magnetostrictive tactile sensor based on Galfenol [(Fe83Ga17)99.4B0.6] is designed and studied for surface depth measurement. The optimal structure of the sensor is determined by experiment and theory. The test platforms for static and dynamic characteristics are set up. The static and the dynamic sensing performance of the sensor are studied experimentally.
Findings
The sensor can detect 0–2 mm depth change with a sensitivity of 91.5 mV/mm. A resolution of 50 µm can be achieved in the depth direction. In 50 cycles of loading and unloading tests, the maximum error of the sensor output voltage amplitude is only 2.23%.
Originality/value
The sensor can measure the depth information of object surface precisely with good repeatability through sliding motion and provide reference for object surface topography detection.
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Drew van der Riet, Riaan Stopforth, Glen Bright and Olaf Diegel
This paper aims to explore the electronic design of the Touch Hand: a low-cost electrically powered prosthetic hand. The hand is equipped with an array of sensors allowing for…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the electronic design of the Touch Hand: a low-cost electrically powered prosthetic hand. The hand is equipped with an array of sensors allowing for position control and haptic sensation. Pressure sensors are used on the fingertips to detect grip force. A temperature sensor placed in the fingertip is used to measure the contact temperature of objects. Investigations are made into the use of cantilever vibration sensors to detect surface texture and object slippage. The hand is capable of performing a lateral grip of 3.7 N, a power grip of 19.5 N and to passively hold a weight of up to 8 kg with a hook grip. The hand is also tested on an amputee and used to perform basic tasks. The amputee took 30 min to learn how to operate the hands basic gripping functions.
Design/methodology/approach
Problems of previous prosthetic hands were investigated, followed by ways to improve or have similar capabilities, yet keeping in mind to reduce the price. The hand was then designed, simulated, developed and then tested. The hand was then displayed to public and tested with an amputee.
Findings
The Touch Hand’s capabilities with the usage of the low-cost materials, components and sensory system was obtained in the tests that were conducted. The results are shown in this paper to identify the appropriateness of the sensors for a usage while the costs are reduced. Furthermore, models were developed from the results obtained to take into account factors such as the non-slip material.
Research limitations/implications
The research was restricted to a US$1,000 budget to allow the availability of a low-cost prosthetic hand.
Practical implications
The Touch Hand had to have the ability to supply the amputee with haptic feedback while allowing the basic grasping of objects. The commercial value is the availability of an affordable prosthetic hand that can be used by amputees in Africa and other Lower-Income countries, yet allowing a more advanced control system compared to the pure mechanical systems currently available.
Social implications
The Touch Hand has the ability to give amputees affected in war situations the ability to grasp objects in a more affordable manner compared to the current available options. Feedback from amputees about the current features of the Touch Hand was very positive and it proves to be a way to improve society in Lower-Income countries in the near future. A sponsorship program is being developed to assist amputees with the costs of the Touch Hand.
Originality/value
The contributions of this research is a low-cost prototype system than can be commercialized to allow amputees in the Lower-Income countries to have the ability of a prosthetic hand. A sensory system in the hand is also explained which other low-cost prosthetic hands do not have, which includes temperature, force and vibration. Models of the sensors used that are developed and calibrated to the design of the hand are also described.
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This paper aims to provide an insight into recent biomimetic sensor developments.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide an insight into recent biomimetic sensor developments.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a brief introduction, this paper considers a number of specific sensor R&D activities which involve the use of differing biomimetic concepts, including the fabrication of artificial sensing organs, emulating human senses, novel uses of biological structures and systems exploiting biologically‐inspired behaviour.
Findings
This paper shows that a range of different biomimetic design concepts are being applied to sensors that respond to a range of physical, gaseous and chemical variables. Robust, multi‐sensor systems are being developed which emulate biologically‐inspired behaviour.
Originality/value
This paper provides an up to date technical review of a range of differing biomimetic sensor designs and concepts.
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