DARPA Solicits Proposals for Hybrid Insect Cyborgs

This is scary! I'd read that the military was interested in remote
controlled sharks, and now this! I think the current administration has
some real Science Fiction chops.

------ 

"FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 11, 2006 FBO #1566

SOLICITATION NOTICE





A -- Hybrid Insect MEMS (HI-MEMS)

Notice Date

3/9/2006



Notice Type

Solicitation Notice



NAICS

541710 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life

Sciences



Contracting Office

Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts

Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, 22203-1714



ZIP Code

22203-1714



Solicitation Number

BAA06-22



Response Due

6/5/2006



Archive Date

3/9/2007



Description



The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting research

proposals in the area of Hybrid Insect MEMS. Proposed research should

investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in

science, devices or systems. Specifically excluded is research, which

primarily results in evolutionary improvement upon existing

state-of-the-art. DARPA seeks innovative proposals to develop technology to

create insect-cyborgs, possibly enabled by intimately integrating

microsystems within insects, during their early stages of metamorphoses. The

healing processes from one metamorphic stage to the next stage are expected

to yield more reliable bio-electromechanical interface to insects, as

compared to adhesively bonded systems to adult insects. Once these platforms

are integrated, various microsystem payloads can be mounted on the platforms

with the goal of controlling insect locomotion, sense local environment, and

scavenge power. Multidisciplinary teams of engineers, physicists, and

biologists are expected to work together to develop new technologies

utilizing insect biology, while developing foundations for the new field of

insect cyborg engineering. The HI-MEMS may also serve as vehicles to conduct

research to answer basic questions in biology. The final demonstration goal

of the HI-MEMS program is the delivery of an insect within five meters of a

specific target located at hundred meters away, using electronic remote

control, and/or global positioning system (GPS). Although flying insects are

of great interest (e.g. moths and dragonflies), hopping and swimming insects

could also meet final demonstration goals. In conjunction with delivery, the

insect must remain stationary either indefinitely or until otherwise

instructed. The insect-cyborg must also be able to transmit data from DOD

relevant sensors, yielding information about the local environment. These

sensors can include gas sensors, microphones, video, etc. In order to

successfully demonstrate the mission described above, it is anticipated that

effort in the following technical areas is required: 1. Demonstrate reliable

bio-electromechanical interfaces to insects, 2. Demonstrate locomotion

control using MEMS platforms, and 3. Demonstrate technologies to scavenge

power from insects."



more at:

http://www.fbodaily.com/archive/2006/03-March/11-Mar-2006/FBO-01003518.htm