Electrospun nanofibrils encapsulated in hydrogel cupula for biomimetic MEMS flow sensor development

This paper adopts the design strategies involved in the biological flow sensors present on the body of the blind cave fish in order to engineer MEMS artificial flow sensors by employing micro/nano fabrication technologies. The MEMS sensor developed consists of Si60 polymer haircells fabricated by stereolithography. Biomimetic cupular fibrils are developed by electrospinning a solution of polyL-lactide/e-caprolactone (PLC) to form nanofibers. A bio-inspired hydrogel cupula is fabricated using precision drop-casting methods which enhances the performance of the flow sensor over the naked haircell sensor. The pyramid shaped nanofibers formed act as a scaffold supporting the swollen hydrogel.