Remote control of a cyborg moth using carbon nanotube-enhanced flexible neuroprosthetic probe

Abstract

We report the first remote flight control of an insect using microfabricated flexible neuroprosthetic probes (FNPs) that directly interface with the animal's central nervous system. The FNPs have a novel split-ring design that incorporates the anatomical bi-cylinder structure of the nerve cord and allows for an efficient surgical process for implantation (Figure 1a). Additionally, we have integrated carbon nanotube (CNT)-Au nanocomposites into the FNPs to enhance the charge injection capability of the probe. The FNPs integrated with a wireless system are able to evoke multi-directional, graded abdominal motions in the moths thus altering their flight path.

Swarm Intelligence via the Internet of Things and the Phenomenological Turn

“…Some previous experts have called this possibility "The Internet of Bio-Nano Things" [26] or "Nano-Networks" [27]. These new cyborgs can be connected through neuromuscular interfaces [28] or be spread and embedded into several biological systems [29], which can be enhanced in several ways [30]. The deep challenges that these changes could produce to our sensing, experience, and feeling of the world can face us in front of a radical evolutionary scenario-as a species and at an individual level.…”

Untethered Insect Interfaces

“…All of these conditions invariably lead to mechanical drift of the implanted electrodes over the lifetime of the insects. Successful, robust stimulation schemes in free flight have thus focused on combinations of the following three motifs: (i) the direct stimulation of a large, easily accessible muscle in the insect [2,28,31,36,37]; (ii) the direct stimulation of a relatively large ensemble of neurons in a ganglion [2,31]; and (iii) the targeted stimulation of nerves in a nerve cord [29,[38][39][40].…”

“…This approach was informed by the fact that changes in an insect's center of gravity can be used to adjust flight orientation and trajectory [49]. In moths, stimulation of the ventral cord with tungsten wires elicited abdominal motions, ''presumably by activating motoneurons or interganglionic interneurons'' [38][39][40]. Each FSE contained six independently addressable electrodes; potential pulse trains were applied between pairs of electrodes on the FSE (for a total of 15 possible stimulation pairs).…”

“…Several groups have begun to explore the advantages, in mechanical, electrical, or surgical contexts, of interfaces implanted in insects during pupation, that is, prior to emergence as adults (Paul et al, 2006;Bozkurt et al, 2008; Chung and Erickson, [44]) [28,36,[38][39][40]46]. Given the extensive reworking of the insect physiology during pupation, it is tempting to hypothesize that interfaces inserted during this period could somehow co-opt the developmental processes for an engineering advantage; this has not yet been conclusively shown.…”

“…For example, both the authors and others have found that insertion of foreign objects transcutaneously in the pupal stages often results in mechanically robust implants as the shell hardens around the structure post-emergence (Paul et al, 2006) [46]. Complex surgeries, as that required in [38][39][40], are easier in pupa than in adults. Moreover, for insects with large interstitial areas (such as horned beetles), a significant mass of material can be introduced into the pupa, which becomes incorporated into the insect (provided nerves, gut, or muscle was not severed in the insertion, Bozkurt et al, 2008).…”