Robotic 'flowers' for pollinator study
Our 3D printed, modular robotic 'flowers' can be used to study behavior and cognition in pollinating insects (especially bees) in controlled environments. Customizeable nectar reservoirs can be filled with chemically controlled nectar to understand how different floral traits and nectar constituents affect pollinator visitation and decision making in an array of robotic flowers, each of which automatically records the time and duration of every insect visit.
About East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University conducts research across health sciences, public health, clinical and translational science, addiction science, and community‑engaged social and behavioral studies, alongside strong programs in education, computing, and the arts and sciences. Notable units include the Quillen College of Medicine, the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, and the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, as well as the Addiction Science Center and ETSU Health. The ETSU Research Corporation and the Innovation Lab support technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and regional industry collaboration. Research funding commonly comes from federal agencies such as the NIH, HRSA, CDC, and NSF, in addition to state and regional partners. Applied outcomes are focused on rural and telehealth delivery models, substance use disorder prevention and treatment, population health analytics, and community and workforce development in the Appalachian region.
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