Bioinspired Approaches For Human Centric Technologies

The present book discusses topics related to research and development of materials and devices at nanoscale size and their respective application in medicine and biomedicine. The individual chapters give a detailed state of the art overview to the distinct topic. Apparently disconnected fields - life sciences, biomedicine, chemistry, physics, medicine and engineering - will be bridged with a highly interdisciplinary view onto each subject.

A comprehensive introduction to new approaches in artificial intelligence and robotics that are inspired by self-organizing biological processes and structures. New approaches to artificial intelligence spring from the idea that intelligence emerges as much from cells, bodies, and societies as it does from evolution, development, and learning. Traditionally, artificial intelligence has been concerned with reproducing the abilities of human brains; newer approaches take inspiration from a wider range of biological structures that that are capable of autonomous self-organization. Examples of these new approaches include evolutionary computation and evolutionary electronics, artificial neural networks, immune systems, biorobotics, and swarm intelligence—to mention only a few. This book offers a comprehensive introduction to the emerging field of biologically inspired artificial intelligence that can be used as an upper-level text or as a reference for researchers. Each chapter presents computational approaches inspired by a different biological system; each begins with background information about the biological system and then proceeds to develop computational models that make use of biological concepts. The chapters cover evolutionary computation and electronics; cellular systems; neural systems, including neuromorphic engineering; developmental systems; immune systems; behavioral systems—including several approaches to robotics, including behavior-based, bio-mimetic, epigenetic, and evolutionary robots; and collective systems, including swarm robotics as well as cooperative and competitive co-evolving systems. Chapters end with a concluding overview and suggested reading.

Stories from the future of intelligent machines—from rescue drones to robot spouses—and accounts of cutting-edge research that could make it all possible. Tech prognosticators promised us robots—autonomous humanoids that could carry out any number of tasks. Instead, we have robot vacuum cleaners. But, as Dario Floreano and Nicola Nosengo report, advances in robotics could bring those rosy predictions closer to reality. A new generation of robots, directly inspired by the intelligence and bodies of living organisms, will be able not only to process data but to interact physically with humans and the environment. In this book, Floreano, a roboticist, and Nosengo, a science writer, bring us tales from the future of intelligent machines—from rescue drones to robot spouses—along with accounts of the cutting-edge research that could make it all possible. These stories from the not-so-distant future show us robots that can be used for mitigating effects of climate change, providing healthcare, working with humans on the factory floor, and more. Floreano and Nosengo tell us how an application of swarm robotics could protect Venice from flooding, how drones could reduce traffic on the congested streets of mega-cities like Hong Kong, and how a “long-term relationship model” robot could supply sex, love, and companionship. After each fictional scenario, they explain the technologies that underlie it, describing advances in such areas as soft robotics, swarm robotics, aerial and mobile robotics, humanoid robots, wearable robots, and even biohybrid robots based on living cells. Robotics technology is no silver bullet for all the world’s problems—but it can help us tackle some of the most pressing challenges we face.

Closed Loop Neuroscience addresses the technical aspects of closed loop neurophysiology, presenting the implementation of these approaches spanning several domains of neuroscience, from cellular and network neurophysiology, through sensory and motor systems, and then clinical therapeutic devices. Although closed-loop approaches have long been a part of the neuroscientific toolbox, these techniques are only now gaining popularity in research and clinical applications. As there is not yet a comprehensive methods book addressing the topic as a whole, this volume fills that gap, presenting state-of-the-art approaches and the technical advancements that enable their application to different scientific problems in neuroscience. Presents the first volume to offer researchers a comprehensive overview of the technical realities of employing closed loop techniques in their work Offers application to in-vitro, in-vivo, and hybrid systems Contains an emphasis on the actual techniques used rather than on specific results obtained Includes exhaustive protocols and descriptions of software and hardware, making it easy for readers to implement the proposed methodologies Encompasses the clinical/neuroprosthetic aspect and how these systems can also be used to contribute to our understanding of basic neurophysiology Edited work with chapters authored by leaders in the field from around the globe – the broadest, most expert coverage available

Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering, Three Volume Set is a unique source for rapidly evolving updates on topics that are at the interface of the biological sciences and engineering. Biomaterials, biomedical devices and techniques play a significant role in improving the quality of health care in the developed world. The book covers an extensive range of topics related to biomedical engineering, including biomaterials, sensors, medical devices, imaging modalities and imaging processing. In addition, applications of biomedical engineering, advances in cardiology, drug delivery, gene therapy, orthopedics, ophthalmology, sensing and tissue engineering are explored. This important reference work serves many groups working at the interface of the biological sciences and engineering, including engineering students, biological science students, clinicians, and industrial researchers. Provides students with a concise description of the technologies at the interface of the biological sciences and engineering Covers all aspects of biomedical engineering, also incorporating perspectives from experts working within the domains of biomedicine, medical engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, electrical engineering, and more Contains reputable, multidisciplinary content from domain experts Presents a ‘one-stop’ resource for access to information written by world-leading scholars in the field

With the emergence of Systems Biology, there is a greater realization that the whole behavior of a living system may not be simply described as the sum of its elements. To represent a living system using mathematical principles, practical quantities with units are required. Quantities are not only the bridge between mathematical description and biological observations; they often stand as essential elements similar to genome information in genetics. This important realization has greatly rejuvenated research in the area of Quantitative Biology. Because of the increased need for precise quantification, a new era of technological development has opened. For example, spatio-temporal high-resolution imaging enables us to track single molecule behavior in vivo. Clever artificial control of experimental conditions and molecular structures has expanded the variety of quantities that can be directly measured. In addition, improved computational power and novel algorithms for analyzing theoretical models have made it possible to investigate complex biological phenomena. This research topic is organized on two aspects of technological advances which are the backbone of Quantitative Biology: (i) visualization of biomolecules, their dynamics and function, and (ii) generic technologies of model optimization and numeric integration. We have also included articles highlighting the need for new quantitative approaches to solve some of the long-standing cell biology questions. In the first section on visualizing biomolecules, four cutting-edge techniques are presented. Ichimura et al. provide a review of quantum dots including their basic characteristics and their applications (for example, single particle tracking). Horisawa discusses a quick and stable labeling technique using click chemistry with distinct advantages compared to fluorescent protein tags. The relatively small physical size, stability of covalent bond and simple metabolic labeling procedures in living cells provides this type of technology a potential to allow long-term imaging with least interference to protein function. Obien et al. review strategies to control microelectrodes for detecting neuronal activity and discuss techniques for higher resolution and quality of recordings using monolithic integration with on-chip circuitry. Finally, the original research article by Amariei et al. describes the oscillatory behavior of metabolites in bacteria. They describe a new method to visualize the periodic dynamics of metabolites in large scale cultures populations. These four articles contribute to the development of quantitative methods visualizing diverse targets: proteins, electrical signals and metabolites. In the second section of the topic, we have included articles on the development of computational tools to fully harness the potential of quantitative measurements through either calculation based on specific model or validation of the model itself. Kimura et al. introduce optimization procedures to search for parameters in a quantitative model that can reproduce experimental data. They present four examples: transcriptional regulation, bacterial chemotaxis, morphogenesis of tissues and organs, and cell cycle regulation. The original research article by Sumiyoshi et al. presents a general methodology to accelerate stochastic simulation efforts. They introduce a method to achieve 130 times faster computation of stochastic models by applying GPGPU. The strength of such accelerated numerical calculation are sometimes underestimated in biology; faster simulation enables multiple runs and in turn improved accuracy of numerical calculation which may change the final conclusion of modeling study. This also highlights the need to carefully assess simulation results and estimations using computational tools.

The academic community is currently facing the challenge of navigating the complexities of swarm robotics. This field demands understanding the design, control, and coordination of autonomous robotic swarms. The intricacies of developing algorithms that facilitate communication, cooperation, and adaptation among simple individual agents remain a formidable obstacle. Addressing issues like task allocation, formation control, path planning, and decentralized decision-making are pivotal to unlocking the true potential of swarm robotics. Bio-inspired Swarm Robotics and Control: Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Strategies immerses readers in the cutting-edge realm of swarm robotics, a discipline inspired by the intricate choreography observed in biological systems like insect colonies, bird flocks, and fish schools. Encompassing a rich array of bio-inspired algorithms, mechanisms, and strategies, the text elucidates how robots can communicate, cooperate, and adapt within dynamic environments. The book propels robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence advancements by fostering interdisciplinary connections and charting a course toward more efficient and resilient multi-robot systems. This book is ideal for biologists, engineers, and computer scientists to join forces in unlocking the full potential of swarm robotics.