ArticleFrontiers in robotics and AI2021
Microbial Fuel Cell Based Thermosensor for Robotic Applications.
Article in Frontiers in robotics and AI, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Recent Implementations of Hydrogel-Based Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs) in Sensing Applications.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Pooled it
- Integrating electroactive microorganisms into active soil management strategies.Frontiers in microbiology · 2026Review
- New horizons in microbial fuel cell technology: applications, challenges, and prospects.Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts · 2025Review
- Recent Applications, Challenges, and Future Prospects of Microbial Fuel Cells: A Review.Global challenges (Hoboken, NJ) · 2025Review
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
On the roadmap to building completely autonomous artificial bio-robots, all major aspects of robotic functions, namely, energy generation, processing, sensing, and actuation, need to be self-sustainable and function in the biological realm. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) provide a platform technology for achieving this goal. In a series of experiments, we demonstrate that MFCs can be used as living, autonomous sensors in robotics. In this work, we focus on thermal sensing that is akin to thermoreceptors in mammalian entities. We therefore designed and tested an MFC-based thermosensor system for utilization within artificial bio-robots such as EcoBots. In open-loop sensor characterization, with a controlled load resistance and feed rate, the MFC thermoreceptor was able to detect stimuli of 1 min directed from a distance of 10 cm causing a temperature rise of ∼1°C at the thermoreceptor. The thermoreceptor responded to continuous stimuli with a minimum interval of 384 s. In a practical demonstration, a mobile robot was fitted with two artificial thermosensors, as environmental thermal detectors for thermotactic application, mimicking thermotaxis in biology. In closed-loop applications, continuous thermal stimuli were detected at a minimum time interval of 160 s, without the need for complete thermoreceptor recovery. This enabled the robot to detect thermal stimuli and steer away from a warmer thermal source within the rise of 1°C. We envision that the thermosensor can be used for future applications in robotics, including as a potential sensor mechanism for maintaining thermal homeostasis.
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