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Microbiorobotics: Biologically Inspired Microscale Robotic Systems,
Second Edition presents information on a new engineering discipline
that takes a multidisciplinary approach to accomplish precise
manipulation of microscale spaces. Microorganisms have evolved
various mechanisms to thrive in microscale environments and are
therefore a useful tool for use in many applications, ranging from
micromanufacturing techniques, to cellular manipulation. In the
context of microrobotics, biological microrobots can directly
harness the microorganisms for propulsive and sensing power and
synthetic microrobots can mimic the microorganisms' motions for
effective locomotion. This second edition covers new advances and
insights that have emerged in recent years. Several new chapters
have been added on important new research areas, with existing
chapters thoroughly revised. In particular, increased coverage is
given to fluid dynamics of microswimmers in nature.
Microbiorobotics is a new engineering discipline that inherently
involves a multidisciplinary approach (mechanical engineering,
cellular biology, mathematical modeling, control systems, synthetic
biology, etc). Building robotics system in the micro scale is an
engineering task that has resulted in many important applications,
ranging from micromanufacturing techniques to cellular
manipulation. However, it is also a very challenging engineering
task. One of the reasons is because many engineering ideas and
principles that are used in larger scales do not scale well to the
micro-scale. For example, locomotion principles in a fluid do not
function in the same way, and the use of rotational motors is
impractical because of the difficulty of building of the required
components.
Microactuation systems are currently enabled only using large
external appratus. This essentially defeats the original purpose of
miniaturization. We employ flagellated bacteria as reconfigurable
actuators in low Reynolds number fluidic environments. The bacteria
are self-contained and are able to draw energy directly from the
surrounding environment. Furthermore, flagellated bacteria can be
utilized as both individual microactuators and in arrays to create
useful works in a variety of microfluidic environments, and
controlled in a directed manner using many different kinds of
external stimuli, such as temperature, food, and a specific
wavelength of lights. The book is addressed to professionals in
Science and Technology like fluid mechanicians, microbiologists and
nanoengineers. It is also directed towards researchers in
Microfluidics, Micro/Nanofabrication and Biophyics.
There has been significant growth in the field of nanofluidics,
where nanoscale analytical instruments employ micromachined
features and are able to manipulate fluid samples with high
precision and efficiency and have many advantages over their
conventional (larger) analogues. The new edition of Nanofluidics
has been fully revised and updated with the latest advancements and
applications. With a focus on bioanalysis, specific applications
are given with case studies. The end of each chapter now also
features a methodology section to explain experimental protocols
and "tips and tricks". The editors draw on an international
authorship and provide a handbook for the community. Written at an
accessible level the book is suitable for both experts and
non-experts alike.
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