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Actuating mechanical arms coupled to an array of FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron circuits

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Abstract

The paper is aimed at mimicking the motion of myriapods by using an array of mechanical arms coupled to an array of FitzHugh–Nagumo (FN) neuron circuits. The differential equation depicting the electromechanical system is achieved by using Kirchhoff’s and Newton’s laws. The system parameters are sensitive to the stability of the system as shown by numerical simulations such that for different ranges of the stimulation current, the array of the FN neuron circuit coupled to a single mechanical arm is either in the non-excitable state, excitable state or in the oscillatory state. For the values of the stimulation current in the excitable state, an action potential (AP) achieved produced an excitation greater enough to actuate significantly the mechanical leg. In the excitable state, the action of the magnetic signal on the single mechanical arm increases the amplitude of the instantaneous displacement of the legs. The array of the coupled electromechanical system in the excitable state produces an AP for the different values of the legs having the same behavior as shown by numerical simulations, which implied that neurons communicate without loss of amplitude when in the permanent regime. This behavior is similar to the instantaneous displacement of the mechanical legs, hence depicting the straightforward motion of myriapods without rotation. Finally, the velocities of the propagation of nerve impulses and that of the displacement of legs are quantitatively the same.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially funded by the Center for Nonlinear Systems, Chennai Institute of Technology, India, via funding number CIT/CNS/2021/RD/064.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bamenda, Cameroon

    Isidore Komofor Ngongiah

  2. Center for Nonlinear Systems, Chennai Institute of Technology, Chennai, 600069, Tamilnadu, India

    Balamurali Ramakrishnan

  3. Department of Physics, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bamenda, Cameroon

    Gaetan Fautso Kuiate

  4. Laboratory of Mechanics and Modelling of Physical Systems (L2MPS), Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P. O. Box: 67, Dschang, Cameroon

    Raphael Tagne

  5. Department of Mechanical, Petroleum and Gas Engineering, National Advanced School of Mines and Petroleum Industries, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 46, Maroua, Cameroon

    Sifeu Takougang Kingni

  6. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bamenda, Cameroon

    Gaetan Fautso Kuiate

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  1. Isidore Komofor Ngongiah
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Ngongiah, I.K., Ramakrishnan, B., Kuiate, G.F. et al. Actuating mechanical arms coupled to an array of FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron circuits. Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 232, 285–299 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-022-00721-4

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