# 75. Size Matters: Tiny Biomimicry Leads to Big Breakthroughs

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-06-21
- Length: 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs-stoYWpTu

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss biomimicry breakthroughs from the University of Washington and Harvard, focusing on dandelion-inspired sensors and microscale robotic cilia. The University of Washington team created 24-milligram solar-powered sensors using Microchip's A20 Tiny processor and Kapton parachutes to deploy environmental monitoring networks via drones. Meanwhile, Harvard researchers developed self-propelled cilia from photo-responsive liquid crystal elastomers, enabling complex, programmable motion for applications in drug delivery and physical encryption.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs#t=0) Introduction: Biomimicry and Dandelion Sensors
- [2:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs#t=123) Dandelion Sensor Circuit and Kapton Parachute Design
- [5:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs#t=306) Dandelion Sensor Deployment and Backscattering Data
- [7:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs#t=453) Future Work: Mesh Networking and Biodegradability
- [11:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs#t=704) Harvard's Microscale Robotic Cilia Introduction
- [13:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs#t=831) Liquid Crystal Elastomer Cilia Fabrication
- [19:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs#t=1169) Programming Cilia Movement and Array Dynamics
- [21:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs#t=1285) Applications: Drug Delivery and Physical Encryption

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- University of Washington (company)
- Microchip (company)
- A20 Tiny (chip)
- Kapton (material)
- Harvard (company)
- liquid crystal elastomer (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode Thirty-Six: Ignazio Maria Viola](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-02-10-episode-thirty-six-ignazio-maria-viola) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 147: Miniature living robots - Maria Guix](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-03-06-episode-147-miniature-living-robots-maria-guix) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode Seventeen – Bioinspired Robots: learning from nature](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-06-13-episode-seventeen-bioinspired-robots-learning-from-nature) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 128: Making microrobots move - Ali K. Hoshiar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 102: Soft robots inspired by plants - Isabella Fiorello](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-12-13-episode-102-soft-robots-inspired-by-plants-isabella-fiorello) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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