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

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Villanova University (PA) · $225,000

## 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 organization:** 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

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2514175

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2514175, Collaborative Research: Self-Regulating Artificial Cilia Arrays with Stereotypic Motor Patterns for Omnidirectional Fluid and Particle Manipulation. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2514175. Licensed CC0.

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