Project description
Bio-inspired soft robotics meets soil science
Biodegradable and self-deployable seed-like robots are transforming the way scientists monitor and analyse air and topsoil environments. Filling gaps in data analysis systems, these miniaturised robots can conduct in situ detection of key environmental parameters in air and topsoil. Developed by the EU-funded I-Seed project, these robots boast a bio-inspired design and morphological features that enable them to fly and disperse via natural vector-mediated diffusion in the air. They can also respond to humidity variations to move on terrain surfaces and self-penetrate topsoil. Built with sensors, the robots will record temperature, humidity, CO2 and mercury (Hg2+).
Objective
"I-Seed aims at developing a new generation of self-deployable and biodegradable soft miniaturized robots, inspired by the morphology and dispersion abilities of plant seeds, to perform a low-cost, environmentally responsible, in-situ detection of key environmental parameters in air and topsoil.
Seeds dispersal strategies are driven by the spontaneous, often reversible, anisotropic deformation of their tissues upon swelling or drying of cell walls, and do not require any control or internal energy supply.
Following a bioinspired design, these skills will be implemented into seed-like robots by using multi-functional biodegradable materials and natural morphological features, which endow them with the ability to fly and disperse via natural vector-mediated diffusion in air, or to respond to humidity variations to move on terrain surface and self-penetrate in topsoil. Sensing will be based on diffusion, absorption, and structural changes of parts of the robots made from sensor materials with a chemical transduction mechanism and fluorescence-based optical readout. Recordings of temperature, humidity, CO2 and mercury (Hg2+) will be executed at air-soil interface. Deployment of the I-Seed robots and reading of the acquired measurements will be performed using drones. Seed-drone communication will rely on optical signaling and fluorescence based on Light Detection and Ranging technology (fLiDAR), and using photonic ""tags"" to impart different type of sensors and robots a unique response. Algorithms will be developed such that drones can map the robots in air and on the ground.
By merging bioinspired soft robotics, material science, nanocomposite technologies, and environmental science, I-Seed will address the specific challenge by building a radically new dynamic scenario for analyzing and monitoring air and topsoil environments and their interface, extending environmental sensor networks and filling existing gaps of data analysis systems.
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Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata science
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciences
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorssmart sensors
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticssoft robotics
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticsautonomous robotsdrones
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
16163 Genova
Italy