Collaborative Research: Self-Regulating Artificial Cilia Arrays with Stereotypic Motor Patterns for Omnidirectional Fluid and Particle Manipulation

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $225,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Microscale control of liquids and suspended particles is essential for the next-generation medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and for development of miniature soft machines capable of locomotion in complex fluid environments. Yet existing devices steer fluid flow along only a few fixed directions and lose precision when conditions change. This project will create artificial motile cilia arrays (soft filaments slimmer than a human hair) that can adjust their rhythm on the fly and move fluid or cargo in any direction. By melding recent progress in soft-composite manufacturing, embedded sensing, and model-based control, the work seeks to emulate the versatility of living cilia while offering greater durability and scalability. The anticipated advance will not only deepen fundamental understanding of microscale transport, but also strengthen national health through faster diagnostics and gentler cell handling. The project will also propel economic prosperity by enabling agile soft microrobots for targeted drug delivery and high-precision microassembly of next-generation devices. A coordinated education plan will integrate project discoveries into undergraduate and graduate curricula, offer mentored research opportunities for students, and deliver hands-on demonstrations to learners from kindergarten through grade twelve. The research will establish a new class of self-regulating artificial cilia arrays designed to enable precise, energy-efficient manipulation of fl

Key facts

NSF award ID
2514175
Awardee
Villanova University (PA)
SAM.gov UEI
EYNYSU6L8ZX6
PI
Bo Li
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
CONTROL SYSTEMS, Dynamical systems, Complex Systems, CONTROL SYSTEMS
Estimated total
$225,000
Funds obligated
$225,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028