One of nature’s least appreciated creatures might hold the key to a groundbreaking advancement in disaster response. A team of researchers from Purdue University, spanning various disciplines, is studying mosquito antennae to better understand their sensitivity to vibrations. If successful, this research could lead to significant improvements in monitoring and detecting natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
The work was conducted by research groups led by professors Pablo Zavattieri and Ximena Bernal at Purdue University. The findings are published in the journal Acta Biomaterialia. While still in its early stages, the team remains optimistic about what they can learn from this study. As Pablo Zavattieri, the Jerry M. and Lynda T. Engelhardt Professor of Civil Engineering in Purdue’s College of Engineering, noted: “Taking inspiration from nature and using it to advance scientific research has been a core feature of engineering since its inception.”
Despite lacking traditional ears, mosquitoes rely on their antennae for navigating the auditory environment. They are able to hone in on essential sounds while filtering out background noise such as their own wingbeats. By analyzing the structure and morphology of sensory hairs found on mosquito antennae, PhD candidate Phani Saketh Dasika (MSCE ’23) has gained significant insights into how these adaptations improve auditory sensitivity and selective response to environmental cues.
“Using advanced micro-CT imaging, we created high-fidelity CAD models for finite element analysis,” said Dasika. “Our findings show that the architectural features of mosquito antennae allow them to detect specific acoustic targets, even amidst non-target signals like their own wingbeats. We also found that mosquito antennae may be able to sense a wider range of frequencies than previously thought.”
The team’s discoveries are critical for determining if mimicking mosquito antennae could inform the design of acoustic sensors. Professor Ximena Bernal explained: “By modeling and comparing the antenna response across different species, each with unique auditory needs like finding mates or listening to frogs, we were able to isolate features that modulate hearing sensitivity and tuning. Understanding these structures is our first step toward creating biomimetic acoustic sensors inspired by their sensitive antennae.”
Moreover, insights from mosquito antennae could contribute to the development of smart noise-canceling materials with applications in urban environments. These materials might incorporate microfluidic channels or tunable metamaterials and could be used for soundproofing panels, noise-cancelling headphones, or even acoustic cloaking devices.
“Imagine cities equipped with bio-inspired sensors similar to ‘big ears,’ capable of distinguishing specific sounds amidst the busy urban landscape,” said Zavattieri. “These sensors would become invaluable in times of crisis, quickly detecting faint distress signals and guiding rescue efforts to those who need help.”
The team is currently focusing on recreating mosquito antennae through 3D printing with various materials and sizes for frequency testing. This research is supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Multi-University Research Initiative (AFOSR-FA9550-15-1-0009) and the National Science Foundation (IOS-2054636).
