Hybrid micro- and nanobiomechanical systems: a control perspective

Control issues pertaining to the integration of hybrid systems consisting of micro- and nanofabricated structures and biological pails are presented. Our research has ranged from the biomolecular level (with focus oil the use of the ATPase as a motor structure) to micrometer-scale muscle tissue integration. This integration makes it possible to incorporate biological complexity in the resulting systems, ultimately leading to the realization of systems that had never before been feasible, with applications that can include medical implants, autonomous sensors, and portable bioanalysis systems.