Microbial fuel cell based thermosensor for robotic applications
Microbial fuel cell based thermosensor for robotic applications
On the roadmap to building completely autonomous artificial bio-robots, all major aspects of robotic functions, namely, energy generation, processing, sensing, and actuation, need to be self-sustainable and function in the biological realm. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) provide a platform technology for achieving this goal. In a series of experiments, we demonstrate that MFCs can be used as living, autonomous sensors in robotics. In this work, we focus on thermal sensing that is akin to thermoreceptors in mammalian entities. We therefore designed and tested an MFC-based thermosensor system for utilization within artificial bio-robots such as EcoBots. In open-loop sensor characterization, with a controlled load resistance and feed rate, the MFC thermoreceptor was able to detect stimuli of 1 min directed from a distance of 10 cm causing a temperature rise of ∼1°C at the thermoreceptor. The thermoreceptor responded to continuous stimuli with a minimum interval of 384 s. In a practical demonstration, a mobile robot was fitted with two artificial thermosensors, as environmental thermal detectors for thermotactic application, mimicking thermotaxis in biology. In closed-loop applications, continuous thermal stimuli were detected at a minimum time interval of 160 s, without the need for complete thermoreceptor recovery. This enabled the robot to detect thermal stimuli and steer away from a warmer thermal source within the rise of 1°C. We envision that the thermosensor can be used for future applications in robotics, including as a potential sensor mechanism for maintaining thermal homeostasis.
bio-robotics, biosensors, MFC, thermoreceptor, thermosensor, thermotaxis
Greenman, John
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Mendis, Arjuna
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You, Jiseon
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Gajda, Iwona
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Horsfield, Ian
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Ieropoulos, Ioannis
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5 October 2021
Greenman, John
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Mendis, Arjuna
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You, Jiseon
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Gajda, Iwona
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Horsfield, Ian
2c9d9f82-b90e-4185-bb3a-3ce06cc973cf
Ieropoulos, Ioannis
6c580270-3e08-430a-9f49-7fbe869daf13
Greenman, John, Mendis, Arjuna, You, Jiseon, Gajda, Iwona, Horsfield, Ian and Ieropoulos, Ioannis
(2021)
Microbial fuel cell based thermosensor for robotic applications.
Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 8, [558953].
(doi:10.3389/frobt.2021.558953).
Abstract
On the roadmap to building completely autonomous artificial bio-robots, all major aspects of robotic functions, namely, energy generation, processing, sensing, and actuation, need to be self-sustainable and function in the biological realm. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) provide a platform technology for achieving this goal. In a series of experiments, we demonstrate that MFCs can be used as living, autonomous sensors in robotics. In this work, we focus on thermal sensing that is akin to thermoreceptors in mammalian entities. We therefore designed and tested an MFC-based thermosensor system for utilization within artificial bio-robots such as EcoBots. In open-loop sensor characterization, with a controlled load resistance and feed rate, the MFC thermoreceptor was able to detect stimuli of 1 min directed from a distance of 10 cm causing a temperature rise of ∼1°C at the thermoreceptor. The thermoreceptor responded to continuous stimuli with a minimum interval of 384 s. In a practical demonstration, a mobile robot was fitted with two artificial thermosensors, as environmental thermal detectors for thermotactic application, mimicking thermotaxis in biology. In closed-loop applications, continuous thermal stimuli were detected at a minimum time interval of 160 s, without the need for complete thermoreceptor recovery. This enabled the robot to detect thermal stimuli and steer away from a warmer thermal source within the rise of 1°C. We envision that the thermosensor can be used for future applications in robotics, including as a potential sensor mechanism for maintaining thermal homeostasis.
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frobt-08-558953
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 6 August 2021
Published date: 5 October 2021
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
This work stems from the EPSRC Career Acceleration Fellowship (EP/I004653/1) and parts of it have been funded from the follow-on grant EP/L002132/1. Support for materials and consumables has been provided by the host Bristol BioEnergy Centre (BRL, UWE) and the open-access publication fees have been paid by UWE Library’s Open Access Block Grant.
Keywords:
bio-robotics, biosensors, MFC, thermoreceptor, thermosensor, thermotaxis
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 454751
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/454751
PURE UUID: a2cff6c1-2474-476d-a58c-8623fbe5e25a
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Date deposited: 22 Feb 2022 17:41
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 04:04
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Contributors
Author:
John Greenman
Author:
Arjuna Mendis
Author:
Jiseon You
Author:
Iwona Gajda
Author:
Ian Horsfield
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