Robotics at the Micro/Nano Scale: Tele-Nanorobotics using Nanoprobes, and Biologically Inspired Micromechanical Flying Insects

Metin Sitti
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Robotics Laboratory, UC Berkeley

Time and Place

1305 Newell-Simon Hall
Refreshments 3:15 pm
Talk 3:30 pm

Abstract

For the miniaturization of devices and machines down to atomic and molecular sizes, micro/nanorobotic approach enabling manipulation, manufacturing and interaction at the micro/nano scale is indispensable. Micro/nanorobotics as an emerging robotics field is based on the micro/nano scale physics, fabrication, sensing, actuation and control taking the scaling effect into consideration. This presentation will focus on two interdisciplinary micro/nanorobotic projects: nanorobotics using nanoprobes, and Micromechanical Flying Insect (MFI) project. The first project utilizes piezoresistive Atomic Force Microscope nanoprobe as a pushing, cutting and indenting type of nanomanipulator, and also as a 3D topology and force sensor. Using a teleoperated human-machine interface, latex micro/nanoparticles are positioned in 2D by mechanical pushing for developing micro/nanoassembly technology, and touch feedback from the surfaces at the nano scale is realized. Moreover, nanorobotic approach is used for fabricating molding templates of biomimetic gecko foot hair nanostructures by indenting soft materials. Finally, design and fabrication of a biologically inspired MFI will be presented. A 25 mm wing span MFI is based on the aerodynamics of fruit flies and blowflies. Challenging issues and present trends in thorax design using four bar mechanisms, piezoelectric actuation, manufacturing, and dynamic analysis will be reported.

Speaker Biography

Metin Sitti received the B.Sc. (1992) and M.Sc. (1994) degrees in electrical and electronics engineering from Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey, and the Ph.D. (1999) degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tokyo, Japan. He is currently a post-doctoral research scholar at the Robotics Laboratory, Department of EE&CS, University of California at Berkeley, working in Micromechanical Flying Insect and Biomimetic Gecko Foot Hair Nanostructures projects. His research interests include micro/nano-robotics, biologically inspired robots and micro/nano-structures, bio-nanomanipulation, Scanning Probe Microscopy, haptic interfaces and tele-robotics. He received the Nakayama Prize for the best paper at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in 1998.

Speaker Appointments

For appointments, please contact the host, Jianbo Shi(jshi@cs.cmu.edu).