Remember Catherine's post on the cyborg moths? They're back...

Insects with cybernetic implants were the most sensational part of Dr Amit Lal's presentation, Micro and Nano Electro-Mechanical Systems: Technology Engineering Metamorphosis, here at DARPATech.

The project begins with the MEMS from the presentation title: Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems, from 'a micrometer (a millionth of a meter) to a millimeter (thousandth of a meter)' in size. Below that, we enter into the nano-scale, or NEMS.

 
The ever decreasing size of semiconductor fabrication made MEMS possible. Now they are being deployed in common commercial applications: Texas Instruments' DLP TV technology (millions of tiny mirrors), accelerometers in the Wiimote, and side impact airbag sensors.

But the most interesting application of MEMS here at DARPATech is the subprogram HI-MEMS - Hybrid Insect Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems. MEMS are inserted in the gestating moths in pupa. That part isn't science fiction. It's been done.

 
The challenge lies in turning it into an application. Can insects be turned into mini-UAVs?

(I use the term 'mini' advisedly, knowing we already have UAVs much larger than insects that are called 'micro UAVs', but they are not 'micro' in the technical use of the word, as defined above.)

 
Can scientists use MEMS to control insect flight? Can they develop MEMS sensors for insect deployment?

Dr Lal closed his presentation with references to science fiction and fantasy: R2-D2 helped Luke pilot his X-Wing fighter. Could insects assist human flight? Gandalf used a moth to call in air support. Can DARPA and its collaborators find a way to similar applications? 

All images courtesy of DARPA