Additive Manufacturing of an Insect Bio-Inspired Hair Acoustic Sensor

Nature surrounds us with many bizarre and inspirational mechanisms. Insects are miniature organisms that can have exceptionally efficient and functional sensory receptors. Acoustic and air flow mechanoreceptors, commonly called trichoid sensilla or trichobothria, are used in different shapes and sizes by several insect species. The goal of this work is to develop hair-like sensor structures inspired by the Barathra brassicae caterpillar and adult Buthus occitanus scorpion. An early version of the sensor has been developed and realised using additive manufacturing. Mechanical analysis shows that the sensor design can be altered to move at different frequencies by changing its structure. Early development to convert mechanical displacement into an electric signal has begun and an electric response is recorded, albeit signal conditioning is required to be usable.