MEASUREMENT OF INSECT FLIGHT FORCES USING A MEMS BASED PHYSICAL SENSOR

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the development of a force sensor for investigation of flight forces in flying insects. The proposed sensor uses piezoresistive sensing techniques to quantitatively measure changes in flight forces of a tethered insect. The sensor is fabricated on a wafer-level using standard MEMS technology. The goal of the research is the development of a sensor that allows for the measurement of forces with more than one degree of freedom (DOF). Direct measurement of rotational and translational forces will be very useful in elucidating complex aerodynamics mechanisms due to rapidly rotating and flapping wings, the understanding of which is critical in the development of microflying robotic insects.