Biomimetics of underwater hair cell sensing

Hair cells are ubiquitous in nature. These natural and efficient mechanoreceptors are exploited as efficient transducers for flow sensing and chemical sensing in many living systems, ranging from cells to aquatic animals. In aquatic environment hair cells are probably the most effective mechanism of sensing and environment perception. Mimicking these mechanoreceptors and their structure and behavior for developing MEMS artificial hair cells (AHC) could be a powerful approach for producing efficient underwater sensors and technologies. In this paper we review the most recent approaches and designs to realize waterproof hair cell-like mechanotransducers for applications in underwater flow and acoustic sensing, mimicking the so-called "lateral line" in fishes. Recent developments for the achievement of artificial lateral lines to be applied in underwater autonomous vehicles will be highlighted. Finally research strategies to obtain artificial hair cells biosensing in liquid environment will be introduced.