[Odonata-l] FW: microtechnologists looking for dragonfly experts for collaboration

[Mark O'Brien]

Perhaps someone on this list would like to collaborate with Prof. Maharbiz?

Please send replies directly to him.

Mark


------ Forwarded Message
From: "Michel M. Maharbiz" <maharbiz at eecs.umich.edu>
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 16:02:36 -0500
To: <mfobrien at umich.edu>
Subject: microtechnologists looking for dragonfly experts for collaboration

Mark,
Thanks for your time this afternoon; very informative. As per our
conversation, we're looking for someone interested in working with us on
a DARPA proposal targetted at modifying flying insects to carry payloads
and to respond to control cues sent through an implanted chip
(essentially, a remote-control moth).

We've got a very experienced and world-renowned microsystems group here
at Michigan, but we need a 'dragonfly person' to work with. We certainly
realize the complexity of the task and are approaching the problem as
such (i.e. we have no illusions that super-gluing a payload and zapping
the poor dragonfly will work). Having said that, we have considerable
expertise in implantable microdevices,  microsystems for remote
telemetry and cell culture systems.

Please forward this to whomever you think might be interested!
An excerpt from the DARPA call is included below, followed by my contact
info.
many thanks,
michel

"...DARPA seeks innovative proposals to develop technology to create
insect-cyborgs, possibly enabled by intimately integrating microsystems
within insects, during their early stages of metamorphoses. The healing
processes from one metamorphic stage to the next stage are expected to
yield more reliable bio-electromechanical interface to insects, as
compared to adhesively bonded systems to adult insects. Once these
platforms are integrated, various microsystem payloads can be mounted on
the platforms with the goal of controlling insect locomotion, sense
local environment, and scavenge power. Multidisciplinary teams of
engineers, physicists, and biologists are expected to work together to
develop new technologies utilizing insect biology, while developing
foundations for the new field of insect cyborg engineering. The HI-MEMS
may also serve as vehicles to conduct research to answer basic questions
in biology.

Both flying and non-flying insects undergo metamorphic processes as they
develop. For example, moths and butterflies transform from eggs to
larvae to caterpillars, and finally to flying adult states. Through each
metamorphic stage, the insect body goes through a renewal process that
can heal wounds and reposition internal organs around foreign objects,
including tiny MEMS structures that might be present. During some of the
metamorphic stages, the insects are immobile and can be manipulated
without interference from instinctive motion.  Inserting MEMS devices
during such stages could enable assembly-line like fabrication of hybrid
insect-MEMS interfaces, providing a considerable cost advantage.

In previous exploratory research to manipulate insects, it was found
that the instinctive behaviors for feeding and mating --and also for
responding to temperature changes-- prevented them from performing
reliably. Using MEMS-based physio-chemical control and genetic
manipulation, it may be possible to influence or control many insect
sensory and behavior functions. However, genetic methods are beyond the
scope of this program as they are likely to take much longer for
reliable implementation. By using reliable interfaces to insect
physiology, it might be possible to transform them into predictable
devices that can be used for various micro-UAV missions requiring
unobtrusive entry into areas inaccessible or hostile to humans. One such
potential mission might involve collecting explosive signatures from
within buildings, caves, or other inaccessible locations. Since MEMS
devices provide a high degree of functionality at low-weight, such
devices may serve as ideal interfaces to insect biology."

-- 
*********************************
Michel M. Maharbiz
2406 EECS
EECS Department
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122

734 - 615 - 4469  (office)
734 - 649 - 0253 (cell)

maharbiz at eecs.umich.edu

www.eecs.umich.edu/maharbiz
*********************************


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