Microfluidic Devices for Insect Micro-Air-Vehicles

This work describes the intimate fusion of microsystems and physiology though the implantation of a microfluidic device into living insects. Specifically, we focus on the control of Manduca sexta moth flight activity using an implanted, low power electrokinetic drug delivery device. This effort is a critical component in our development of “Insect Micro-Air-Vehicles” which aim to fuse nanodevice technology with living organism. The goal of this system is to provide “on-command” chemically induced immobilization and subsequent reanimation of the otherwise autonomous insect. In this report, we demonstrate the chemical control over the level of insect locomotor activity by releasing different neurotransmitters into wing muscles.