A team of scientists has managed to develop a sensor bioinspired by electric fish, specifically mormyrids , a family of African fish known for their ability to detect objects using electric fields. This research would improve the branches of robotics, biotechnology and smart prosthetics, by allowing objects to be detected without the need for artificial vision.
The origin and development of the bioinspired sensor
The sensor developed by researchers at City University of Hong Kong is based on the principle of capacitance , a phenomenon that allows the detection of objects through changes in electric fields. Like mormyrids, which use their bioelectric organs to sense the proximity of objects in murky waters or even buried in mud, this device makes it possible to locate objects in a three-dimensional space.
This sensor has a structure that integrates two main layers : The first acts as a transmitter, generating an electric field, and the second functions as a receiver, allowing the capture of any interruption of the field when an object approaches. Through this system, the sensor has the ability to determine both the direction and the distance of objects, resulting in a precise detailed location in 3D.
The technology behind this sensor is fascinating: the electrode layers are made from a biogel , a flexible, transparent material that is printed on both sides of a polydimethylsiloxane ( PDMS ) dielectric substrate, a polymer commonly used in biomedical applications. This design allows the sensor to be extremely flexible, stretchable, and able to adapt to irregular surfaces, making it ideal for applications in wearable devices or even electronic skin.
One of the main goals of the research is the application in smart prosthetics and human-machine interfaces. Being so flexible and light, it can adapt to the shape of the human body, providing accurate detection of nearby objects without relying on machine vision . This could allow more intuitive control of devices, such as tracking finger movements in virtual interfaces or controlling assistive robots.
Furthermore, the developed sensor system can recognise objects and surfaces in a range of up to 10 centimetres in the air. However, one of the impressive features is its performance underwater, where the range extends up to one metre, a capability for applications in aquatic or high humidity locations.
The sensor works by means of a controller that connects to the sensor array using silver or copper wires. This controller has several important functions, including creating the trigger signal for the transmission layers, converting the analog signals to digital, and processing the information using a microcontroller that sends the data to the end device, such as a smartphone, via Bluetooth.
Among the challenges presented by the technology, however, the researchers detailed the following. For example, very small objects, less than 4 mm in diameter, may not be accurately detected, and response time can be affected when objects exceed 8 mm in diameter. In addition, environmental factors such as electromagnetic interference can reduce the effectiveness of the sensor, especially when other people or devices are nearby.
Despite these challenges, researchers continue to refine the technology, hoping that the sensor could open up new possibilities in fields such as precision robotics, advanced user interfaces and the creation of smarter wearable devices.
Researchers hope that this bioinspired sensor could lead to the creation of a new generation of wearable sensors that integrate more naturally into everyday life. From devices for human-machine interfaces to applications in medicine, the ability to detect objects without needing to see or touch them could change the way we interact with technology, especially in areas that require high precision and flexibility.
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Source and photos : IEEE Spectrum
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