Development of acoustic & airflow sensors inspired by the hair sensilla of insects and arachnids

Nature has always inspired humans in creating innovative tools. Arachnids and insects show exceptional and functional sensory receptors at a small scale. Air flow mechanoreceptors, commonly called trichobothria, are used in different shapes and sizes by several arachnid species [1]. Some trichobothria appear to be sensitive
to low-frequency near-field acoustic signals [2]. Moreover, it is speculated that from this structure other sensing mechanisms (e.g., acceleration, temperature, etc.) are derived [3-5].
The goal of this work is to develop flat hair-like sensors inspired by the adult Buthus occitanus scorpion, that can react to either airflow or acoustic narrow frequency bands. A sensor that responds to airflow has been developed and realized using multi-material additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D-printing. Furthermore, using the same production technique, it is possible to create sensor structures that react to sound [6].