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RESPONSES OF THE DUBIA COCKROACH (BLAPTICA DUBIA)

TO DIFFERENT NEURAL STIMULATION CONDITIONS

Proponent:
Gregorio, Vincent L.
IV Nobel

Chapter I
INTRODUCTION

Through the years, human technology has evolved significantly. More and new
discoveries are being found everyday in different part of the world. Following with these new
discoveries are the production of biobots or robots that is adapted with an animal, insect or any
organism. After some research and study, scientists found a way to develop a radio controlled
insects.
One reason in the development of this radio controlled insects is that because it can
easily blend with the environment. Without interfering or being noticed easily with large scale
creatures, it can easily operate. It can easily go to small spaces and perform tasks that are too
dangerous to humans like scouting collapsed buildings, inspection underground infrastructure and
more. Though insects cant carry heavy objects, carrying small objects like camera or sensors
made this radio controlled insects valuable in military purposes and spying.
First of all, the group had chosen this research because many laboratories, especially in
the other countries had started developing their own cyborg insects. The first research related to
this topic was made during the late 1990s, but was ignored due to its no known use to the society
yet. But now, all research laboratories are starting to make their own versions of these robotic
insects.
A special division in the pentagon, known as DARPA (Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency), had already made robotic moths and beetles and funded research concerning
cyborg creatures. The research group implanted the microcontroller to the insect during its larval
stage so that the adult moth or beetle would not have difficulties in adapting to the implanted
stimulation device (Adee, 2009).

In the past 2 years, a group known as the Backyard brains had made a commercially
available neural stimulation device, which implanted to a cockroach. The kit was made by
making a circuit that sends signals, whose frequency is around 55Hz, from the circuit board to the
electrodes and from the electrodes to the antenna, and thus enabling the cockroachs walking
muscles to be controlled remotely (Marzullo and Gage, 2012).
This neural stimulation is also already in use in other countries, where people with
amputated parts, such as the arm or the leg, can be replaced with robotic ones, that can be
controlled by our own thoughts (Jacobs, 2013). Also, this interface was already used on a woman
with a degenerative brain disease, thus enabling her to control a robotic arm to eat and write
(Prigg, 2012).

Background of the Study


The interest for the study had started when one of the researchers had read in a journal
magazine about the cockroach that can be controlled remotely. The article also talks about the
group Backyard Brains (mentioned above), who had actually found a way to make these
cockroach control kits available commercially. But when the researchers searched the specific
topic on the internet, the researcher was surprised to know that there are already several research
laboratories that are developing the same robotic insects.
In laboratories today, the Rhinoceros Beetle or the Flower Beetle is the main species of
beetles that are used in the development of the cyborg insects. The researchers that are developing
these cyborg insects use either one of these two because of their incredible weight carrying
capacity. Although the chip that was implanted to the beetle was kind of small, the large
comparison of the size of the beetle and the microchip would be large enough for the board to be
attached on the pronotum of the insect (Singer, 2009).
Also, laboratories in Pentagon had already started to grow insects with electronics inside
them to prevent the stimulation from malfunctioning, and the Pentagon had done this by inserting

the electronics during the pupa stage of the insect, so that the insect would be adapted to the
electronics and signals can be quickly sent. Pentagon had used beetles and moths because of their
large carrying capacity. And now, these insects are now already tested for simulations (Turse,
2008).
Through these studies, the researchers got an interest to do the same research to know if
this stimulation can really work out in different insects. The researchers also picked out dubia
cockroaches as its sample in the research because of its availability in the Philippines. These
cockroaches can be easily breed and lay many eggs that is why it is low cost. The care of this
insect are also easy and dont escape easily.

Statements of Problems and Hypothesis


Through the advancement in technology, cyborg insects have been created. The
researchers want to see the response of a dubia cockroach, specifically the time and
distance it takes for them to be controlled, to different stimulation. The researchers also
want to see if the stimulation has significant effects on the insects. In accordance with
this aim, the researchers present the following problem.

Statements of the Problems


1. Will it possible to add a forward and backward motion to the insects by
rearranging the electrodes?
2. Will the stimulation be able to take control of the wing muscles of the insects
for flying motion?
3. Will there be changes to the insects after the stimulation experiment?

4. Will there be significant differences between the responses of the insects in


different stimulation of movement?

Hypothesis
Answering the following problems, the researchers present the following
hypothesis.
1. No, adding a forward and backward motion is not possible.
2. No, the stimulation will not be able to take control of the wing muscles of the
insects.
3. No, there will be no changes to the insects after the stimulation experiment.
4. No, there will be no difference between the responses of the insects in different
stimulation.

Significance of the Study


This study can help students understand more about the nervous system of insects and
how it works. The students will also learn more how the insects execute its flying motion. The
students will also learn how electric impulses process in the nervous system of the insects that is
also similar to how electric impulses is send from every part of the human body to the brain and
vice versa.
This can help in many purposes in the society. Once these cyborg insects development is
improved and the insects are already attached with different sensor on their back, these can be
made to do many different functions. One of which is it can be used during search and rescue
operations. When the insects are attached with a camera and a GPS tracker, in multitudes they can
be used to map collapsed buildings and to find possible survivors in the rubble in areas that may

be quite dangerous and cant be reaching by man. Another is for surveillance, using the same
sensors, and another is for tracking the conditions of the environment.
Since the researchers will also use a commercially available type of insects here in the
Philippines, it would be easier for this project to be done without importing insects that have a
possibility of being dead before it reaches the destination. The Philippines is also an agricultural
country that is why looking for insects to be use in this kind of experiment will be easy.
Aside from understanding the physical parts of the insects, learning more about its
nervous system is also important. Through understanding the nervous system and responses of
insects, people can use to different purposes. People can make repellants to certain insect by
understanding its responses. Through this study, the researchers will also gain more
understanding about neuroscience which may help in further studies about brain.

Scopes and Delimitations


This study will cover the different responses of a Dubia Cockroach (Blaptica dubia) to
different neural stimulation conditions. One of which is the possible interface of the circuit board
and the flight muscles of the cockroach. This may enable the flight of the beetle, thus adding
faster mobility in the movement of the insect. Another factor that will be covered is the duration
of the stimulation because according to one of the articles that the researchers had read, the
approximate time duration of the whole stimulation is about 1 week only. To prevent this, the
group will find a possible way to prolong the duration of the interface.
However, this study will not cover the different type of species of the cockroaches
because some species of cockroaches are not available here in the Philippines and are only living
in other countries, where they are habituated. The researchers would also use just one
commercially available species of cockroaches in the Philippines since there is a higher
possibility of the specimens being dead before it arrives at the destination. The research will not
also include female insects since not all female perform and can control their flying ability. Since

sexual dimorphism; wings is short or absent for female (Bell et al., 2007), is present in dubia
cockroaches, female cant control their flight. According to (Kessel et al., 2009), Flight
experiments showed that male dubia cockroaches can fly and make a proper landing while female
dubia cockroaches can only do a ballistic dive phase; or a projectile-fall of insects.

Definition of Terms
1. Neuroscience - The study of the brain and nervous system, including molecular
neuroscience, cellular neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, diseases of the nervous system.
(http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=25656)
2. Cyborg Short for Cybernetic Organism, a cyborg is an organism whose physiological
functioning is aided by or dependent upon a mechanical or electronic device.
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cyborg)
3.

Pronotum - The pronotum is a prominent plate-like structure that covers all or part of the

thorax of some insects. The pronotum covers the dorsal surface of the thorax.
(http://www.amentsoc.org/insects/glossary/terms/pronotum)
4. cold-blooded all animals that temperature varies depending on the surrounding environment.
(http://www.amentsoc.org/insects/glossary/terms/pronotum)

Chapter II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Through the advancement of people in the field of technology, scientists were


able to go through everything. One product of this advance technology is the production of
cyborg insects. Through a small chip and electrode connection, movement of insects can be
controlled and be used in various areas. Through these ideas, the researches decided to make a
prototype of cyborg insects using the commercially available materials in the Philippines. The
study also wants to test how effective it is to control different movement to the insects not just the
left and right motion by attaching the electrodes to desired muscle to be controlled. The
researchers also aim to see how the nervous system of insects works the same as human do.

Most of the things used by humans are designed and copied from the natural
environment. Through these things copied from nature, human civilization had progress. One
example is the project presented by researchers at Harvard University. According to Robert
Wood as cited by (Ross, 2007), with micro-scale materials to create a controllable fly, stealth
surveillance and military missions can be done easily. The only problem that Wood and his
colleagues found is the extreme high cost of the materials.

In contrast with just mimicking the natures organisms, through experiment and
studies, scientists at the University of California found a way to control the flight of a giant
flower beetle. According to Michel Maharbiz as cited by (Singer, 2009), instead of trying to
copy the flying system of an insect, they took advantage on the beetles flying ability by
implanting machines to insects. The scientists had conducted experiment on controlling flying
insects but the current research was their first demonstration of a wireless beetle system. Through

electrodes, electrical signals can be directed to the insects commanding it to fly, turn left or right
or hover in mid-air. The scientist also said that adding cameras can be possible because unlike
cyborg moths, beetles can transport small components of cameras. Through these studies, the
researchers got the idea to make cyborg insects. In addition, instead of using the same specimen
used in the previous study, the researchers will use locally available insects in the Philippines.
The researchers also got the idea that by attaching the electrodes to the muscle of the part to be
controlled, different motion can be done since electrode is the one that receives signals from the
controller and interact with the neurons and muscles of insect.

In addition with the advantages of integrating machines and living creatures,


scientists found a way to maximize the energy produced by the beetles wing motion. According
to (Ethem et al, 2011), by adding a spiral coil connected to the generator, power output is
harnessed from a Green June Beetle (Colitinis nitida). These discoveries gave the researchers the
benefit of using a living sample in the experiment. Aside from the fact that using a living sample
can save time to make an artificial one, through living samples, adjustments can still be done and
the machine itself will adapt.

The subjects in the experiment will be the Dubia cockroaches (Blaptica Dubia),
which is one of the largest of their kind. According to (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2014), Dubia
cockroaches can grow from 1.6 up to 1.8 inches. Adult males have fully developed wings.
Through these details the researchers got the idea to include only male dubia cockroaches since
the flying motion will also be tested

The researchers wont kill the subjects in the specimens as the electrodes attached to the
antennae of the insects wont pose danger to the insects. According to (Singer 2008), through
electrodes, neural and cochlear implant can be more safe and possible. Electrode can sometimes

dealt damage to neurons when having neural implant to cure Parkinsons disease thats why
coated electrode where developed. Through these studies, the researchers got the idea that even
though there will be surgery and attachment of electrodes, the specimens wont die in the
experiment. And according to (Willard, 2009), Blaptica dubia roaches are larger roaches,
measuring from 1.5-2 inches. Blaptica dubia roaches are sexually dimorphic, with male Blaptica
dubia roaches possessing complete wings, and female Blaptica dubia roaches possess wing buds.
The article above is the main reason on why only male specimens of the species are going to be
used in the neural stimulation, especially in the flying motion.

Since the start of biobots or cyborg insects, researchers and scientists look for a
way to improve the use of these cyborg insects. According to Dr. Edgar Lobaton as cited by
(Science Daily, 2013), by developing software and putting electronic sensors, mapping dangerous
environments which GPS cant reach can be possible. Through these, it had been known to the
researchers that by creating the project, helping for a search and rescue will be possible without
risks.

CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY

The researchers of Caloocan City Science High School want to see the effects of a neural
stimulation to a specific species of cockroaches. Through different attachment of electrodes and
different surgery for each pair of cockroaches, the researchers will test the feasibility of adding a
forward and backward motion and flying motion and its effectiveness through the reaction time
displayed by each insect.

Research Setting
The setting of the experiment is done in one free of space area. To have control of
environmental factors like sunlight, air, predation and type of food, the researchers put the
subjects in container and is observed and place at one safe place. To prevent the intervening
factors when undergoing experiments, the testing of neural stimulation will be held at one closewide spaced room. The surgeries and addition of electrodes and control kit for the insects will
also be held at the same room.

Participants/Subjects
To see is the neural stimulation will work on commercially available insects in the
Philippines; the researchers used dubia cockroaches. The researchers also put the insects in
different neural stimulation to see if there is a significant difference between the reactions of each
insect to the stimulation. The subjects in the experiment will require six specimens of
cockroaches. Six specimens for cockroach specifically the Blaptica dubia are required for the
different neural-stimulation conditions. The researchers chose the following subjects one is
because of their size. The surgery and attachment of circuit board will be more efficient in an

insect with big body. The adult dubia cockroaches can grow 1.61.8 inches making the insects
one of the largest of their kind. Next is because of their cleanliness. Since most of the dubia
cockroaches are common food for a reptile pet, raising and taking care of dubia cockroaches
makes these cockroaches clean and safe. The specimen of dubia cockroaches is also obtained
through transaction with a people who keeps dubia as a food for pet. The dubia used in this study
were 15 pesos each adult male, which is the most lower price that can be get with buying this
kind of cockroaches. The researchers also pick the insects for they are safer and pose almost no
danger to humans except for their sharp legs and foots. According to (Johnson, 2008), dubia
cockroaches are scavengers and only feed on small pieces of meat left by other animals.
However, dubia cockroaches much prefer a vegetable that is slightly sweet. These cockroaches
cant also breed easily in a normal house and cant easily escape for their slow movement.
Through these, the researchers were convinced to use a dubia cockroach. The researchers also
made that the specimens will not have large differences in terms of weight, and other physical
quantities for each insects to diminish the factors that may affect the factors like the effectiveness
of flying motion.

Research Design
The researches will use the RCBD to see and organize the results in the experiment.
Considering the flying ability of the insects, the researchers will have all the subjects be male
since the female cockroach have poor control over flight. The researchers would consider the
following factors: the reaction time of forward and backward motion, left and right motion and
flying motion. To show the significant changes in the specimens reaction, the response time,
distance covered and distance per unit time will be averaged for each three trial and compared to
every results of other testing per day.

Left and Right Motion


Subjects

Cockroach 1

Trials

Response
Time

Distance
Covered

Distance
covered per
unit time

Left leg
motion
observed

Right leg
motion
observed

Distance
covered per
unit time

Left leg
motion
observed

Right leg
motion
observed

Distance
covered per
unit time

Left leg
motion
observed

Right leg
motion
observed

Trial 1
Trial 2

Forward and Backward Motion


Subjects

Cockroach 2

Trials

Response
Time

Distance
Covered

Trial 1
Trial 2

Flying Motion
Subjects

Cockroach 3

Trials

Response
Time

Distance
Covered

Trial 1
Trial 2

Shown in the table above is the proper grouping of different insects and the different
treatment for each pair or group. The researchers will use the table to compare the average results
for each trial in each day a test will be done.

Data Gathering Tools


The tools that would be needed for the acquiring of data are a stopwatch to estimate the
reaction or response time of the specimen to the stimulation, and a tape measure to record the
distance covered, and to compute for the rate, distance covered per unit time. Also, a digital
weighing scale with 0.1g uncertainty is needed so that the masses of the specimens can be
measured more accurately. The researchers will have the measurement of masses for each

specimen to see if there mass can also affect the reaction time of the insects and its speed. The
researchers will also use the digital weighing scale to see the physical changes before and after
the application of the neural stimulation to the insects.

Procedures
Gathering of subjects

Surgery of the
specimens

Fabrication of Circuit
Board

Statistical
Analysis

Giving recovery time


after each trial

Testing of the
specimens to
different treatments

General Steps during the research process

Gathering of Subjects
For the safety of the researchers, the specimens will come from online sellers. The
researchers decided not to chose common household cockroaches for it will also cause harm to
the researcher. These cockroaches are commonly cared as pets and thus making the insects clean.
The breeders ensure the cleanliness of the reproduction of the insects since these insects are
commonly used as food for reptiles.

Fabrication of Circuit Boards


To have the circuit board, fabrication of circuit boards will be done by the experts in
electrical components since the product will have the components in the size of SMDs, or surface
mount devices. The outline of the PCB or the chip will be emailed by the researchers to the
Cloudline Tech Philippines, a small company that makes printed circuit boards.

Surgery of the Specimens


Since the researches want to see if different neural stimulation can be possible, each of
the specimens will undergo different surgical procedure. The researchers will use the same
method for the surgery but each condition has its different style of attachment of electrodes to test
whether the forward and backward motion can be possible for a circuit that can only make a left
and right motion.

Testing of the specimens to different treatments


To test the effectiveness of different neural stimulation, the researchers decide to make
three different treatments per pair, one for the forward and backward motion, left and right
motion and flying motion. To measure the reaction or response time of each pair of specimen,
each trial will be timed and the moment the control loses, will be the response time of each
specimen.

Giving a recovery Time


To see the long term effect of being remote controlled insects, the researchers will set a
certain period of time and will gather information about the response time per specimen and will
be compared to different trials.

Statistical Analysis
The researchers will use various trends to compare to each other data over a period of
time. Through some test, the resulting average reaction time, distance covered and distance
covered over time will also be compare to the same factors after days of experiment is done.
Physical and other things about the state being of the specimens will also be compared to the state
being of the specimens before the experiment.
The researchers will use ANOVA I to see if there are significant differences between
different insects. The researchers will also compare the mean for each treatment per different

insects. And using a line graph, the researchers will graph and draw the trend of the reaction time
of the insects.

Anesthesizing of the
specimen

Attachment of the
electrode
connector

Attachment of ground
wire into the thorax

Arrangement of
the wires above the
elctrode

Insertion of wire into


left and right antenna

Steps during the surgery of the specimens

Anesthesizing of the specimen


The specimens will be dipped in water with ice to reduce the movement of the cockroach
during the surgery. This will also anesthesize the cockroach so as it would not experience stress
during the insertion of the wires to the specimens antenna and thorax.

Attachment of electrode connector


When the cockroach has already been anesthesized, the pronotum of the cockroach can
now be sanded in order for the waxy coating of it to be removed, thus making the attachment of
the connector easier. The electrode connector would also be sanded in order for the gluing to be
much easier. The electrode is composed of a 3-pin female header, where 3 individual wires from
a 22-gauge stranded wire, each 1 inches long, are soldered. The electrode is then attached to
the pronotum using cyanoacrylate glue to prevent it from detaching from the pronotum, with the
wires facing the anterior sideof the cockroach. The cockroach is then put back to the ice water.

Attachment of ground wire into the thorax

The leftmost wire is attached to the thorax of the cockroach. First, one of the wings is
splayed out so that the thorax is exposed. A clean cotton bud is then used to wipe the moisture off
the thorax. A hole is then poked in a position off center, because the esophagus may be hit and
the specimen may die if the hole is poked through the center of the thorax. The wire in the
leftmost part of the electrode is inserted into the hole made in the thorax. The glue used to attach
the electrode is put to a splinter of wood, which is then applied to the part of the wire just above
the thorax. Then park the wire by 1 to 3 mm more into the thorax. Finally, the cockroach is
dipped again in the ice water.

Insertion of wire into left and right antenna


The middlemost wire is attached to the left antenna of the cockroach. First, the antenna is
cut to a length of approximately 1/8 to inches. Then insert the wire into the antenna, and repeat
the process of applying glue to the wire and parking it more by 1 to 3 millimeters. Put the
cockroach back to the ice water, and then finally repeat the same process for the remaining
antenna with the remaining wire.

Arrangement of the wires above the electrode


To reduce the possibility of having short circuits due to the fact that the wire used is not
insulated, arrange the three wires as neatly as possible above the electrode, so that short circuits
will be avoided. Put a dab of hot glue and press with flat forceps covered with powder, to avoid
the hot glue from sticking to the surface of the forceps.

To Thorax

to Left antenna

to Right antenna

Electrode

Frequency Producing Board


(Right)

Frequency Producing Board


(Left)

Remote control Board

Battery
Block Diagram of the final connections in the circuit board

Figure 1.1 Schematic diagram of control circuit


The figure above has 3 test points, 2 of which would be connected to the electrodes, and
to the antenna, and one would be attached to the output wire of the remote control circuit board.
The 4 parts that play the biggest roles are the 18k resistor and the 34k resistor, along with the
377nF capacitor. The whole circuit will receive electric current from the remote control board,
and because the timer circuit is in astable mode, it will produce a square wave pulse with an
approximate frequency of 55Hz.

Figure 1.2 Expected appearance of specimen after surgery (Marzullo and Gage, 2012)

The red boards are the frequency-producing boards that are connected to the electrodes
(attached above the pronotum). The green board is the remote control board that will receive
signals from the remote and send current to the red boards.

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