Published by Australian Academy of Science
Activity 2 | A sense of things to come – smart sensors and the environment

Helping sensor technology with biomimetics: Research assignment

Smart sensor networks are being developed for a range of applications including monitoring the environment, health, defence and security. One area of research that has potential for defence applications is the use of biomimetics.

Evaluate the role of biomimetics in the field of sensor technology using Australian examples of biomimetics research.

Assessment rubric:

Category	excellent	highly competent	competent	needs improvement
Structure	Key points are clearly presented and synthesised from the various sources. Paragraphs are well structured and progress logically.	Most key points are clearly presented. Paragraphs are mostly well structured and progress logically.	Presentation of key points may at times be unclear. Paragraphs are mostly well structured.	Presentation of key points from the various sources is often unclear. Paragraphs are not well structured.
Information	Information is highly relevant to the topic. The use of biomimetics has been clearly explained and thoroughly evaluated using 2-3 Australian examples.	Information is relevant. The use of biomimetics has been clearly explained and evaluated using 1-2 Australian examples.	Information is mostly relevant. The use of biomimetics has been explained and evaluated using 1-2 Australian examples.	Information from the various sources is at times irrelevant.  The use of biomimetics has not been explained and evaluated effectively using Australian examples.
Research	8 or more sources of information have been cited. Information is from books, reliable internet sources and scientific articles	6-7 sources of information have been cited. Information is from books, reliable internet sources and scientific articles	4-5 sources of information have been cited. Information is from books, reliable internet sources and/or scientific articles	0-4 sources of information have been cited. Information is not from a range of sources eg books, reliable internet sources and scientific articles
Bibliography	Bibliography handed in and set out using the correct format.	Bibliography handed in with few errors.	Bibliography handed in with several errors.	Bibliography contains many errors or no bibliography included.

Useful sites to get you started:

• ISSNIP, Australia
  • Biomimetics
  • Research projects

• Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Srini’s Bees (Catalyst, 15 February 2007)
  • New robot brain takes to the skies (Catalyst, 18 December 2003)

• Aggressive bees may track future of flying robots (University of Queensland)

• Fly on the wall inspires vision technology (Cosmos, 29 August 2006)