Background
Prof. Satoshi Konishi received the BS degree in 1991 in Electronics Engineering, the MS degree in 1993 and the PhD degree in 1996 in Electrical Engineering, from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
He is currently Professor (2006-) with Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan, where he joined the faculty in 1996.He also has served as a fellow of Ritsumeikan Advanced Research Academy (RARA) since 2022. He has served president of IEEJ-E and board member of directors of IEEJ for last two years. He also served as general chair of International Conference of MEMS2007 and Transducers2023.His study is devoted to biomedical application such as “smart micro-finger-robot” for “tactile microscope” and cellular “cyborg” by biohybrid MEMS. He was awarded IEEJ Technical Development Award (2026), The IEEJ-E APCOT Best Paper Award (2024), IAAM(International Association of Advanced Materials) Fellow (lifetime) (2026) and Scientist Medal (2024).
Title
Smart Micro-Fingers-Robot for a Tactile Microscope and Their Biomedical Applications
Abstract
Smart micro fingers integrated with artificial muscles and tactile sensors can touch and feel tiny objects under a microscope, which provide a microscope for tactile sense in addition to conventional vision.
Various macroscopic teleoperation and haptic robot systems have been developed using humanoid robots and human interface technologies. Smart micro fingers and their robot systems have been developed for a tactile microscope with the aim of augmented reality technology that enables interaction with small objects in a microscopic world.
Soft inflatable microactuators drive micro fingers and flexible sensors integrated in micro fingers enable touch sense. Pneumatic balloon actuators made of silicone rubber, which have been continuously developed by our group, are employed as artificial muscles for micro fingers. Flexible strain sensors using liquid metal and temperature sensors using thin film thermocouples will be presented for typical touch senses for micro fingers.
Smart micro fingers were applied to manipulate cellular aggregate with several hundred um in diameter in biology field. Palpation to explore a singular site will be reported toward future medical diagnosis. A heat source was searched by a temperature sensor of a micro finger and a stiffness singular part was detected by a force sensor of a micro finger. Furthermore, active sensing for interaction with pill-bugs will be demonstrated using our technology. Wide-spreading applicational possibilities of the smart micro-fingers-robot will be shared through the talk.