Locomotion Control Insect Biobots using Thermoplastic Film Based Conformal Micro Heater

Abstract

Nowadays numerous kinds of biobots are being developed, since it has a competitive advantage over conventional unmanned robots in terms of power consumption, weight, and price. In addition, biobots can be used in a hostile environment, therefore a lot of research has been done using cockroaches, beetles, dragonflies, and moths, etc. However, many of the ongoing researches focus on the control aspects of insects. Therefore, their devices are mostly big, rigid, not conformingly attached to insects. The purpose of this study is to overcome such limitations and provide a more suitable device for an insect. In this research, micro heaters based on Low-density polyethylene(LDPE) films, a thermoplastic material, were fabricated for locomotion control of insects. LDPE film can be shaped with various curved surfaces through plastic casting. The micro heater, fabricated for locomotion control of insects, was casted to the surface of the insect mold and conformingly attached to live insects. The heat from each micro heater conformingly attached to near the insect’s eyes, stimulates the insect and forces them to move. In addition, photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes widely used in the field of flexible electronics, are integrated to LDPE film substrates. Our experimental results provide the potential of the capabilities electronic devices fabricated on LDPE substrates by integrating the electronic devices on real insects and demonstrating their normal operation.