Field Of Bionics Research Articles

Folate-Modified Photoelectric Responsive Polymer Microarray as Bionic Artificial Retina to Restore Visual Function.

A high-optical-resolution artificial retina system that accurately communicates with the optic nerve is the main challenge in the modern biological science and bionic field. Here, we developed a bionic artificial retina possessing phototransduction "cells" with measurements even smaller than that of the neural cells. Using the technique of micrometer processing, we constructed a pyramid-shape periodic microarray of a photoreceptor. Each "sensing cell" took advantage of polythiophene derivative/fullerene derivative (PCBM) as a photoelectric converter. Because folic acid played an essential role in eye growth, we particularly modified the polythiophene derivatives with folic acid tags. Therefore, the artificial retina could enlarge the contact area and even recognize the nerve cells to improve the consequence of nerve stimulation. We implanted the artificial retina into blinded rats' eyes. Electrophysiological analysis revealed its recovery of photosensitive function 3 months after surgery. Our work provides an innovative idea for fabricating a high-resolution bionic artificial retina system. It shows great potential in artificial intelligence and biomedicine.

Design and Analysis of Electromagnetic-Piezoelectric Hybrid Driven Three-Degree-of-Freedom Motor.

Multi-DOF movement actuators are widely used in industry, mainly in the fields of bionics and precision machining. With the non-stop improvement of modern-day industry, the requirements for the precision, integration and flexibility of multi-degree-of-freedom motion actuators in the industrial field have progressively increased. This paper presents a novel electromagnetic–piezoelectric hybrid driven three-degree-of-freedom motor. The driving method of the hybrid drive motor can be divided into electromagnetic driving and piezoelectric driving. The motor structure and working principle are analyzed. The structural parameters are obtained by modal analysis of the stators and rotor. The rationality of the stator structure is proved by using the transient analysis of the piezoelectric stators. The magnetic field characteristics of the motor are analyzed by both analytical method and the finite element method. The contact pressure and displacement between the piezoelectric stator and the rotor are analyzed by the analytical method. A motor drive model is established, which provides the basis for motor optimization design and control. Finally, a motor prototype and its test platform were built, and the experimental results are presented to verify the rationality of the motor design.

PEDOT-Based Conducting Polymer Actuators

Conducting polymers, particularly poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and its complex with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), provide a promising materials platform to develop soft actuators or artificial muscles. To date, PEDOT-based actuators are available in the field of bionics, biomedicine, smart textiles, microactuators, and other functional applications. Compared to other conducting polymers, PEDOT provides higher conductivity and chemical stability, lower density and operating voltages, and the dispersion of PEDOT with PSS further enriches performances in solubility, hydrophility, processability, and flexibility, making them advantageous in actuator-based applications. However, the actuators fabricated by PEDOT-based materials are still in their infancy, with many unknowns and challenges that require more comprehensive understanding for their current and future development. This review is aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of the actuation mechanisms, performance evaluation criteria, processing technologies and configurations, and the most recent progress of materials development and applications. Lastly, we also elaborate on future opportunities for improving and exploiting PEDOT-based actuators.

Constructing multilayered membranes with layer-by-layer self-assembly technique based on graphene oxide for anhydrous proton exchange membranes

Layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique could nanoscopically construct the layered membranes and it has attracted more attention in the field of bionics, clean energy and microelectronics. The aim of this research to develop the multilayered membranes with the ordered deposition of components using LBL self-assembly technique. Successful preparation of anhydrous proton exchange membranes (PEMs) based on graphene oxide (GO) as polyanions, polyurethane (PU) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) as polycations have been demonstrated by identification of the ordered distribution of components and compact structure. While the prepared membranes were immersed into phosphoric acid (PA) solution, PA molecules were combined with the formation of PA doped membranes. In spite of PA dominating the proton conduction, the decreased proton conduction resistance is revealed from the lower activation energy owing to the multilayered structure. Specifically, the proton conductivity of 1.83 × 10−1 S/cm at 150 °C was obtained for (PU/GO/PDDA/GO)200/60%PA membranes. Moreover, the proton conductivity stability measurement demonstrated the component and mechanical stability, showing 1.47 × 10−1 S/cm at 120 °C and 1.83 × 10−1 S/cm at 140 °C. The result revealed that LBL self-assembly technique could provide a promising strategy to prepare multilayered membranes as membrane electrolytes using in high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Bio-Informed Emerging Technologies and Their Relation to the Sustainability Aims of Biomimicry

Synthetic biology, materials chemistry and soft robotics are fast becoming leading disciplines within the field of practices which look to nature for inspiration and opportunities. In this article I discuss how these molecular-scale practices fit within the existing trends of bio-informed design defined at the macro level, that is, bionics, biomimetics and more specifically biomimicry. Based on the metaphysical views underlying bio-informed design practices, I argue that none of them currently fit the biomimicry model, as they are not consistently concerned with environmental sustainability. While biomimetic chemistry loosely belongs to the field of biomimetics, and soft robotics to the field of bionics, both practices have a profound impact on their respective fields, as they question the places of nature and engineers.

Fingerprint‐Inspired Conducting Hierarchical Wrinkles for Energy‐Harvesting E‐Skin

AbstractIn the field of bionics, sophisticated and multifunctional electronic skins with a mechanosensing function that are inspired by nature are developed. Here, an energy‐harvesting electronic skin (energy‐E‐skin), i.e., a pressure sensor with energy‐harvesting functions is demonstrated, based on fingerprint‐inspired conducting hierarchical wrinkles. The conducting hierarchical wrinkles, fabricated via 2D stretching and subsequent Ar plasma treatment, are composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) wrinkles as the primary microstructure and embedded Ag nanowires (AgNWs) as the secondary nanostructure. The structure and resistance of the conducting hierarchical wrinkles are deterministically controlled by varying the stretching direction, Ar plasma power, and treatment time. This hierarchical‐wrinkle‐based conductor successfully harvests mechanical energy via contact electrification and electrostatic induction and also realizes self‐powered pressure sensing. The energy‐E‐skin delivers an average output power of 3.5 mW with an open‐circuit voltage of 300 V and a short‐circuit current of 35 µA; this power is sufficient to drive commercial light‐emitting diodes and portable electronic devices. The hierarchical‐wrinkle‐based conductor is also utilized as a self‐powered tactile pressure sensor with a sensitivity of 1.187 mV Pa‐1 in both contact‐separation mode and the single‐electrode mode. The proposed energy‐E‐skin has great potential for use as a next‐generation multifunctional artificial skin, self‐powered human–machine interface, wearable thin‐film power source, and so on.

Lotus- and Mussel-Inspired PDA-PET/PTFE Janus Membrane: Toward Integrated Separation of Light and Heavy Oils from Water.

Current special wetting materials designed for use with oily wastewater are usually classified as either the oil-removing type or the water-removing type, which are unifunctional and limited by the oil density. Inspired by the integrated Janus system of the lotus leaf as well as the mussel-like mollusks adhered to the lotus, we fabricated a Janus polydopamine (PDA)-polyethylene terephthalate/polytetrafluoroethylene (PET/PTFE) membrane by simple immersion and tape-peeling. This membrane shows a lotuslike Janus wettability, self-cleaning effect, and floating property. Furthermore, the Janus membrane can separate light oil (ρoil < ρwater)/water mixtures with the superhydrophilic side facing upward, while heavy oil (ρoil > ρwater)/water mixtures are separated with the hydrophobic side facing upward. The separation efficiency is outstanding even after 10 repeats (>99.10%). By aid of drainage of acetone, the separation process has avoided the use of external pressure. Moreover, integrated separations of oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions were achieved with high efficiency. This simply prepared PDA-PET/PTFE Janus membrane has realized an integrated separation system, overcoming the monotony of traditional special wettability separation membrane and extending the bionics field into oily wastewater treatment.

Fabrication of biomimetic graphene films on fabric base by two-beam laser interference

Through millions of years of evolution and natural selection, various biological species own unique physiological structure and amazing functionality. Biomimetic fabrication demonstrate remarkable trend of development, artificial biomimetic materials and intelligent functional surfaces have been extensively studied by scientists both theoretically and experimentally. In general, traditional biomimetic materials consisting of metal, metal oxides, carbon materials and some other polymer materials, which make outstanding contribution to the generation and development of engineering bionics science and interface chemistry analysis. However, simpleminded traditional materials are not capable to deal with the presence of intelligent driving control and micro nano device applications in artificial biomimetic science. It is well established that the combination of novel materials and novel biomimetic technology may lead to promote progress and development of fabrication with smart integration of multifunctional biomimetic devices. More recently, a kind of carbon nanomaterials with an atomic layer thickness which named graphene has attracted most widely attention due to its excellent properties, for instance ultrahigh carrier mobility, good electrical conductivity, high transmittance and biocompatibility since it has been founded by mechanical stripping adhesive tape, it becomes a new star of materials scientific fields. Its stable physical/chemical properties make it widely applied in electronic devices, optical devices, biochips, and even intelligent robots. Based on graphenes distinctive material properties, micronano-structured graphene surfaces with special wettability may be fabricated in a biomimetic manner that not only contribute to the experimental research but also bring about a new revolution of graphene-devices. A method of fabrication of biomimetic graphene surface with multilevel-structures by two-beam laser interference system has been proposed. Graphene oxide films on different fabric bases have been reduced and ablated by Nd:YAG laser interference system. Periodic graphene micronano-structures with grating-like micro structures and additional nanoscale structures have been produced during laser processing process with appropriate laser power (0.4 W), which resulted in deoxidization of abundant hydrophilic oxygen containing groups (OCGs) on GO sheets. To original GO film, the reduced GO (RGO) surface not only exhibited more rough geometry, but also owned lower surface energy. Raman spectroscopy has been characteristiced, the result of the D and G band peaks of RGO show neglectable changes contrast GO. The reason is that the laser cutting and ablation can bring additional new defects on the edges of graphene sheets, which leads to the increase of D band peak. As a result, the spectra show unobvious changes. Roughness of the fabric surface (silk, cotton, nylon) further increased the surface roughness of biomimetic graphene surface. Graphene biomimetic surface with multi-structures has been formed by the double action of rough fabric base and graphene micronano-structure. The graphene bionic surface with nylon substrate has the largest hydrophobic angle, ~156°. The biomimetic graphene surface not only possesses superhydrophobic wettability, but also exhibits rainbow structural color due to the existence of periodic graphene micronano-structures. We believe that the biomimetic graphene surface on fabric substrate will not only have important application prospects in the field of bionics, but also be a major exploration and breakthrough in the future research of optoelectronic and wearable devices.

BIONICS: An Out-of-School Day at the Zoo

Bionics by definition combines science and technology, with nature acting as a model for technical applications. Bionics is expected to lead to a better understanding of the Nature of Science (NOS). We applied a hands-on inquiry-based module about bionics with sixth graders during a public bionics exhibition in a zoological garden that allowed students to act as researchers, i.e., to understand the problem-solving process and to search for methods to overcome problems. The practice of science and engineering was at the center of this intervention; for example, students were asked to provide explanations and design solutions in the bionics field (NGSS, 2017). From this complex field we showed examples using living animals in the zoo. Our students learned bionics topics directly on the living animal by transferring them later to bionics topics. The streamlined shape of the dolphin snout, the communication system of dolphins, and other examples, each with its technical and bionics application, were examined. Bionics can serve as a complement to other biology topics. An increase in cognitive knowledge was observed both immediately after intervention and after a complete school year. Male participants showed more interest in technology than females.

Reed Leaf-Inspired Graphene Films with Anisotropic Superhydrophobicity

Controlling the wettability of graphene and its derivatives is critical for broader applications. However, the dynamic dewetting performance of graphene is usually overlooked. Currently, superhydrophobic graphene with an anisotropic wettability is rare. Inspired by natural reed leaves, we report an ingenious fabrication process combining photolithography and laser holography technologies to create biomimetic graphene surfaces that demonstrate anisotropic wettability along two directions of grooved hierarchical structures, which are similar to reed leaf veins. Microgrooved structures with a period of 200 μm were fabricated via photolithography to endow the substrate with an obvious anisotropic wettability. Two-beam laser interference treatments of the graphene oxide (GO) film on the grooved substrate removed most of the hydrophilic oxygen-containing groups on the GO sheets and increased the surface roughness by introducing additional hierarchical micro-nanostructures. The combined effects endowed the resultant graphene films with a unique anisotropic superhydrophobicity similar to that of reed leaves. Superhydrophobic graphene surfaces with anisotropic antiwetting behavior might allow further innovations based on graphene in the fields of bionics and electronics.

A pneumatic Bionic Voice prosthesis-Pre-clinical trials of controlling the voice onset and offset.

Despite emergent progress in many fields of bionics, a functional Bionic Voice prosthesis for laryngectomy patients (larynx amputees) has not yet been achieved, leading to a lifetime of vocal disability for these patients. This study introduces a novel framework of Pneumatic Bionic Voice Prostheses as an electronic adaptation of the Pneumatic Artificial Larynx (PAL) device. The PAL is a non-invasive mechanical voice source, driven exclusively by respiration with an exceptionally high voice quality, comparable to the existing gold standard of Tracheoesophageal (TE) voice prosthesis. Following PAL design closely as the reference, Pneumatic Bionic Voice Prostheses seem to have a strong potential to substitute the existing gold standard by generating a similar voice quality while remaining non-invasive and non-surgical. This paper designs the first Pneumatic Bionic Voice prosthesis and evaluates its onset and offset control against the PAL device through pre-clinical trials on one laryngectomy patient. The evaluation on a database of more than five hours of continuous/isolated speech recordings shows a close match between the onset/offset control of the Pneumatic Bionic Voice and the PAL with an accuracy of 98.45 ±0.54%. When implemented in real-time, the Pneumatic Bionic Voice prosthesis controller has an average onset/offset delay of 10 milliseconds compared to the PAL. Hence it addresses a major disadvantage of previous electronic voice prostheses, including myoelectric Bionic Voice, in meeting the short time-frames of controlling the onset/offset of the voice in continuous speech.

Implantable electrodes

Implantable electrodes have been of interest for decades. We have witnessed important advances in the field of bionics wherein implantable electrodes serve as the conduit to record nerve signals and deliver electrical stimulation to tissues and organs in living systems. Today, the clinical use of electrical stimulation is broad and the benefit widely accepted. Here we review the state of the-art in the emerging field of new implantable electromaterials for use in medical bionics and electroceuticals.

All rGO-on-PVDF-nanofibers based self-powered electronic skins

With the rapid popularization of electronic products and portable devices, multifunctional integrated devices which can integrate many functions in one device and miniaturize their volume, are constantly evolving in recent years. Herein, four kinds of planar devices namely micro-supercapacitors, pressure sensor, photodetector and gas sensor were modularly manufactured, all with the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) encapsulated poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] (PVDF) nanofibers (NFs) as the functional materials. They were integrated into a single pixel to form a self-powered multifunctional electronic skin system, where the micro-supercapacitors could drive the three sensors to detect the change of the environment conditions and physiological signs of health, like the functions of human skins and sense organs. The technology is quite simple and efficient, which can in principle be scaled-up to fabricate more compact and higher performance e-skins for applications in wearable electronics or bionics field.

Improving the Quality of Bionic Resource Retrieval by Visualizing a Specific Bionic-oriented Thesaurus

This article describes the ability to improve the quality of information resources of search through the use of a specialized thesaurus. The possibilities of using a graphical representation of a thesaurus in the field of bionics and bionic technology, as well as the approach used for automated formation of a multilingual thesaurus primary are considered.

Biologically informed disciplines: a comparative analysis of bionics, biomimetics, biomimicry, and bio-inspiration among others

This article offers a complementary approach to research and education in biologically informed disciplines through the lens of bionics, biomimetics, and biomimicry terminology. For the purpose of developing this approach, we look at past and current contexts in which the three fi elds have emerged and identify three issues: an absence of common ground that unites the fi elds of bionics, biomimetics, and biomimicry while recognizing their contextual differences, a non-standardized use of the terminology that leads to ambiguity within the fi eld of biologically informed disciplines, an incomplete and disorganized historical and contextual knowledge about the fi eld that inhibits a common starting ground for collaboration, and confuses non-scientists who seek biological understanding. We offer a fundamental understanding of the fi elds from theoretical perspective by bringing together opinions of researchers and practitioners of bionics, biomimetics, biomimicry, bio-inspiration and offering a comprehensive analysis of terms culminating in the introduction of an overarching term ‘biologi

Optical switching of protein interactions on photosensitive-electroactive polymers measured by atomic force microscopy.

The ability to switch the physico-chemical properties of conducting polymers opens up new possibilities for a range of applications. Appropriately functionalised materials can provide routes to multi-modal switching, for example, in response to light and/or electrochemical stimuli. This capability is important in the field of bionics wherein remote and temporal control of the properties of materials is becoming attractive. The ability to actuate a film via photonic stimuli is particularly interesting as it facilitates the modulation of interactions between host binding sites and potential guest molecules. In this work, we studied two different poly-terthiophenes: one was functionalised with a spiropyran photoswitch (pTTh-SP) and the second with a non-photoswitchable methyl acetate moiety (pTTh-MA). These substrates were exposed to several cycles of illumination with light of different wavelengths and the resulting effect studied with UV-vis spectroscopy, contact angle and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM tips were chemically activated with fibronectin (FN) and the adhesion force of the protein to the polymeric surface was measured. The pTTh-MA (no SP incorporated) showed a slightly higher average maximum adhesion (0.96 ± 0.14 nN) than the modified pTTh-SP surface (0.77 ± 0.08 nN), but after exposure of the pTTh-SP polymer to UV, the average maximum adhesion of the pTTh-MC (merocyanine form) was significantly smaller (0.49 ± 0.06 nN) than both the pTTh-MA and pTTh-SP. In addition, the tip-sample separation distances of the adhesive interactions are indicative of the FN interaction occurring over a distance more closely related to the average dimensions of its compact conformation. The results suggest that surface energy and hydrophobic forces are predominant in determining the protein adhesion to the films studied and that this effect can be photonically tuned. By extension, this further implies that it should be possible to obtain a degree of spatial and temporal control of the surface binding behaviour of certain proteins with these functionalised surfaces through photo-activation/deactivation, which, in principle, should facilitate patterned growth behaviour (e.g. using masks or directional illumination) or photocontrol of protein uptake and release.

Organic Bionics: A New Dimension in Neural Communications

AbstractThe term “bionics” is synonymous with the term “biomimetics” and in this context refers to the integration of human engineered devices to take advantage of functional mechanisms and structures resident in nature. The use of electrical conductors to transmit charge into and out of biological systems to affect biological processes has been the source of great scientific interest. This has inspired many to explore the possible use of electrical stimulation in promoting positive health outcomes. Advances in medical bionics technology are dependent upon eliciting precise control of the electrical energy to deliver beneficial health outcomes. The advent of carbon‐based organic conductors now provides the platform for unprecedented possibilities by which the electrical energy can be used to modulate the function of medical devices. The use of organic conductors in the field of bionics, and in particular medical bionics, as that involved with the development of devices that enable the effective integration of biology (nature) and electronics to achieve a targeted functional outcome is explored.

Research Achievements and Development Trends of Pneumatic Artificial Muscles

The pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM)'s development history and recent research achievements of main domestic and overseas organizations are reviewed. Research work in basic characteristics and modeling,structure optimization and control strategy are summarized. The results indicate that PAM can be modeled from several aspects such as the equivalent work and elasticity theory; its performance is improved through various structure optimizations; different control strategies such as robust design,adaptive control,and intelligent control are adopted according to different PAM system characteristics. Judging from the current development trend,the PAM's working mechanism analysis and high accuracy control are difficult to have a breakthrough in short term. Comparatively,the new structural design and application work will grow rapidly. A broad application can be expected in the fields of bionics,physical therapy,virtual reality and so on.

Potential Interaction of Bionics with Psychology

In the wake of Norbert Wiener's Cybernetics, there has grown up an interdisciplinary field of bionics whose avowed purpose is to understand and physically simulate certain functions of biological systems. Psychology would do well to consider present and future interaction with other disciplines and with interdisciplines through bionics, in view of the apparent overlap of interests.