Assembly of LS-FINNS, a Large Scale Functional Imaging, Neurophysiology & Neuromechanics System for real-time investigation of brain and behavior
Abstract
AUVs that mimic the movement control and integrate mechanosensory input of fish swimming would complement and advance current systems to expand the range of uses of such devices. Aquatic environments, particularly shallow, near shore, estuarine, riverine or sea/lake floor are frequently turbid with sediment mixing and rich in structures including animals, plant life, and natural and man-made objects that shift in position over time with weather and other effects on fluid flow. These environments are complex and changeable, and thus difficult topredict. Our focus of work is on neural control of aquatic movement to inform the design of such underwater vehicles. We are describing brain and spinal cord circuits that drive coordinated, multi-fin movement. Of particular interest is mechanosensation as a mode of sensory perception and the integration of mechanosensory input into central neural circuits. Mechanosensation provides both feedback that modulates movement and captures basic information about the environment, including discernment of object shapes, surface features and textures and mechanical features such as compliance. Mechanosensation also reports on body position and movement of the animal, allowing effective modulation of motor output. It complements vision in that is works in dark, turbid and cluttered environments and can sense and integrate independent information from the full surface of the body and fins. As in humans and otheranimals, vision and mechanosensation tend to take on complementary goals, with vision identifying and monitoring the external world at a distance and mechanosensation monitoring intrinsic body movement and the environment near the animal.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 23, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912219
Entities
People
- Melina Elisabeth Hale
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Chicago