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COVID-19 may drive sustained research in robotics to address risks of infectious diseases., QC 20200626

Robotic endoscope-automated via laryngeal imaging for tracheal intubation (REALTI) has been developed to enable automated tracheal intubation. This proof-of-concept study using a convenience sample of participants, comprised of trained anaesthetists and lay participants with no medical training, assessed the performance of a robotic device for the insertion of a tracheal tube into a manikin. A prototype robotic endoscope device was inserted into the trachea of an airway manikin by seven anaesthetists and seven participants with no medical training. Each individual performed six device insertions into the trachea in manual mode and six in automated mode. The anaesthetists succeeded with 40/42 (95%) manual insertions (median (IQR [range]) 17 (12-26 [4-132]) s) and 40/42 (95%) automated insertions (15 (13-18 [7-25]) s). The non-trained participants succeeded in 41/42 (98%) manual insertions (median (IQR [range]) 18 (13-21 [8-133]) s) and 42/42 (100%) automated insertions (16 (13-23 [10-58])] s). The duration of insertion did not differ between groups. An effect of increasing experience was observed in both groups in manual mode. A Likert scale for 'ease of use' (0 = very difficult to 10 = very easy) showed similar results within the two groups; the mean (SD) was 5.9 (2.1) for the anaesthetists and 6.9 (1.3) for the non-trained participants. We have successfully performed the first automated tracheal device insertion in a manikin with comparable results in a convenience sample of anaesthetists and lay participants with no medical training.

This paper focuses on the development and optimization of electroplated cobalt-nickel (CoNi) alloys for use in biomedical microdevices. CoNi films were electrodeposited from glycine-containing electrolyte solutions at acidic pH. The influence of pH (2.5-5), temperature (55 and 80 degrees C). current density (from -5 to -40 mA cm(-2)), glycine concentration (0.5 and 1 mol dm(-3)) and the nature of the metal salts (chlorides or sulphates) on the composition and the magnetic properties of the films were systematically analyzed. The cobalt content varied between 50 and 83 wt% depending on the applied conditions. As a result, deposits showed variable morphologies, different structures (either hexagonal close-packed (hcp) or mixed hcp and face-centered cubic phases) and tunable magnetic properties, ranging from semi-hard (18.51 kA m(-1). i.e. 233 Oe) to very soft (1.43 kA m(-1), i.e. 18 Oe). To understand the role of glycine in this system, a comparison of the electrochemical processes, and the structural and magnetic properties is made for samples produced in glycine-containing and glycine-free baths. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

We present a photocurable polymer composite with superparamagnetic characteristics for the fabrication of microcantilevers. Uniform distribution and low particle agglomeration (

Nanocrystalline 3mm thick Cu1–xNix (0.45 < x < 0.87) films are electrodeposited galvanostatically onto Cu/Ti/Si (100) substrates, from a citrate- and sulphate-based bath containing sodium lauryl sulphate and saccharine as additives. The films exhibit large values of reduced Young’s modulus (173 < Er < 192 GPa) and hardness (6.4 < H < 8.2 GPa), both of which can be tailored by varying the alloy composition. The outstanding mechanical properties of these metallic films can be ascribed to their nanocrystalline nature - as evidenced by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy - along with the occurrence of stacking faults and the concomitant formation of intragranular nanotwins during film growth. Due to their nanocrystalline character, these films also show very low surface roughness (root mean square deviation of around 2 nm). Furthermore, tunable magnetic properties, including a transition from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior, are observed when the Ni percentage is increased. This combination of properties, together with the simplicity of the fabrication method, makes this system attractive for widespread technological applications, including hard metallic coatings or magnetic micro/nano-electromechanical devices.

The robust and efficient flight control of insects provide a powerful model system for autonomous microrobots. Conversely, robots offer a robust experimental platform on which to test biological hypotheses. This interaction of biology and robotics is an exciting but challenging task, because the vast disparities between both can lead to inaccurate or even misleading conclusions. In this paper, we present a biorobotic platform that can arbitrarily define the dynamic couplings between a fruit fly and a robot. The platform is used to explore the stability and emergent properties of the biorobotic couple. The fruit flypsilas wing kinematics are measured in real time and used to drive an autonomous robot. In turn, the robotpsilas sensory information is transformed back into visual feedback to the fly. Using different case studies, we explore how the choice of feedback influences the success of the biorobotic device. We discuss the meaning of such feedback in view of biomimetic implementations.

In this paper, we show how ”bio-inspired” robotics can benefit from a more generalized approach than case-by-case emulation. This generalization is obtained by investigating the design constraints found in biological organisms using a reverse-engineering approach. To achieve this, we have developed two novel technologies that are well suited to analyze the biomechanics and neural control in insect flight. First, we present a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) force sensor for measuring flight forces. Second, we describe a 6000Hz high speed vision system for characterizing wing kinematics in real time. Finally, we integrate these technologies within a tethered flight ”simulator” for open and closed-loop investigations of sensory-motor pathways. Initial results are presented and future research perspectives are discussed.