(ORDO NEWS) — Scientists have managed to develop a module for cockroaches that connects to the nervous system of the body.
The integration of machine and organism has long been a subject of debate. Some researchers are concerned about its dangers, while others demonstrate its potential benefits. At the moment, scientists have created a miniature version of this solution – cyborg insects.
Scientists have developed cyborg insects for use in urban search and rescue. Devices for collecting energy were installed on the body of insects.
These unique machines can be used to monitor the environment, track movements and coordinate rescue and search missions during natural disasters.
Details of the work are published in the journal npj Flexible Electronics, where the scientists demonstrated its feasibility by demonstrating wireless motion control of cyborg insects.
“Advances in electronics have led to a growing integration of organisms and machines.
The miniaturization and fabrication of low power semiconductor chips through micro/nanotechnology has led to the creation of cyborgs with small organisms,” the document says.
Led by scientists in Japan, the team developed a cockroach backpack connected to the body’s nervous system, with a power output 50 times that of previous devices. The cyborg cockroach was built with an ultra-thin solar cell that doesn’t affect the insect’s movements.
They used a combination of ultra-thin film electronics and an adhesive interleaved structure to perform the insect’s basic movements.
“Integrating thin and soft electronics into organisms can improve their usability.
Stretchable electronics allow devices to be integrated on 3D curved surfaces with movable joints.
The scientists designed the cells to run on solar power and recharge by attaching a battery and a stimulation module to the cockroach’s thorax.
They then made sure that the solar cell module would stick to the insect’s abdomen, which was not easy as it could restrict its movement.
Scientists tested several thin electronic films and observed how they affect the movement of a cockroach.
“The effectiveness of the thin film attachment strategy was quantified by measuring the time required to overcome an obstacle,” they said.
As a result, they received a film that is 17 times thinner than a human hair.
The team then demonstrated how they could move the cockroach right and left and guide it forward using wireless signals that were connected to its nervous system.
“The designed stimulation outputs were wirelessly controlled using a low latency module,” the document says.
The scientists said the stimulation signals were transmitted wirelessly for 2.1 minutes through a charged battery. During this period, attempts were made several times to control the movement of the system.
Despite the fact that the insect was forced to move, scientists are doing more research to add new features to the cockroach cyborg.
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