Project Description The first step in the project will be to study the locomotion mechanisms used by animals which move in a wet environment containing large amounts of solid and semi-solid material. In order to understand better how to gain purchase on this soft tissue, the mechanisms of attachment used by parasites, both internal and external, will be investigated. The interaction between the biomimetic "worm" and the gut wall will be analysed, and objective parameters, like fracture and tear-resistance, of such tissue will be estimated. The second step of the project will be the development of a biomimetic control module. The unit action-perception-reaction of insects, worms and parasites will be studied to define a strategy of replication and implementation in an artificial, bio-inspired, adaptable system. The third step will consist of feasibility studies of the previously identified biomechanical, sensing and control strategies and systems and in their implementation by the biomechatronic design approach, which can integrate and merge different functions, and by innovative microfabrication technologies. Research efforts will be focused on polymer materials, which are particularly suitable for the implementation of biomimetic structures and integrated functions subsystems. Finally, the design criteria and innovative technologies developed during the first phase of the project will be exploited for fabricating and testing several locomotion units prototypes. Such bio-inspired devices will be especially designed for medical applications. The prototypes will be tested experimentally using both simulated and animal-derived tissues for practical surgical testing.

These pages are designed and maintained by George Georgiadis