昆虫搭載型バイオ燃料電池を用いた自律分散型環境モニタリングロボットの開発

抄録

This paper reports the first demonstration of a self-powered environmental monitoring robot which backpacked a biofuel cell (BFC) and a micro wireless sensor on insect. Electric power was generated from blood sugar in its hemolymph by the BFC and environmental information around it was monitored by the wireless sensor. First, the BFC which can be backpacked cockroaches was fabricated with a 3D printer. Then, the performance of the BFC was evaluated and a maximum power output of 333 μW (at 0.5 V) was obtained. Furthermore, a wireless temperature and humidity sensor was successfully driven by the BFC. Finally, the BFC and the micro wireless sensor were mounted on the insect and environmental monitoring was done by the insect. These results indicate that the insect which backpacked the self-powered battery and micro wireless sensors has sufficient potential as microrobots for environmental monitoring and searching in disasters.