Multidirectional force and torque sensor for insect flight research

Author

Nasir, Mansoor ; Dickinson, Michael ; Liepmann, Dorian

Author_Institution

Dept. of Bioeng., California Univ., Berkeley, CA, USA

Volume

1

fYear

2005

Firstpage

555

Abstract

This paper discusses the development of a multidirectional force sensor for the investigation of the flight dynamic of a tethered fly. The proposed sensor combines the well-understood concepts of piezoresistive force sensing with a unique design that allows for the measurement of forces with more than one degree of freedom (DOF). In addition, the system has been fabricated to support the fly inside a virtual reality arena. The sensor is fabricated on a wafer-level using standard MEMS technology, By directly measuring the thrust, lift, yaw and side slip generated by the fly, complex aerodynamics mechanisms due to rapidly rotating and flapping wings can be better understood.

Keywords

aerodynamics; force sensors; microsensors; piezoresistive devices; strain gauges; torque measurement; MEMS technology; flight aerodynamics; force microsensor system; fruit fly; insect flight measurement; lift; multidirectional force; multidirectional torque sensor; multiple DOF force measurement; piezoresistive force sensing; piezoresistive strain gauges; rapidly flapping wings; rapidly rotating wings; side slip; tethered fly flight dynamics; thrust; virtual reality arena supported fly; wafer-level fabricated sensor; yaw; Aerodynamics; Force measurement; Force sensors; Insects; Measurement standards; Micromechanical devices; Piezoresistance; Rotation measurement; Torque; Virtual reality;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems, 2005. Digest of Technical Papers. TRANSDUCERS '05. The 13th International Conference on

Print_ISBN

0-7803-8994-8

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/SENSOR.2005.1496477

Filename

1496477