Biomimetic hydrogel cupula for canal neuromasts inspired sensors

This paper presents development of a biomimetic hydrogel for encapsulation of self-powered MEMS sensors, inspired from canal neuromasts of blind cave fish. A hyaluronic acid hydrogel mimics cupula, a specialized structure involved in sensing mechanism of neuromasts. Upon hydrogel encapsulation, the sensor retains its sensitivity towards oscillatory flow stimulus and functions similar to biological neuromasts. The biomimetic artificial cupula, developed using polymeric hydrogel, demonstrated close similarity in material and mechanical properties to that of the biological cupula of neuromasts.