Bio-Inspired Microswimmers: Design, Control & Morphing Structures

About the course

Dive into the future of underwater robotics by designing, building, and operating your own bio-inspired microswimmer. In this interdisciplinary course, you will merge fluid-structure interaction (FSI) coupling fluid and structural dynamics, morphing materials, and Artificial Intelligence (Deep Reinforcement Learning) control to create a palm-sized Flapping Soft-Fin Microswimmer (FSFM) capable of agile movement in aquatic environments.

General information

The course is offered within the Tracks framework and is organised around a shared prototype platform. Students from different engineering backgrounds collaborate in cross-functional teams, each responsible for defined subsystems of the microswimmer (propulsion, control, sensing, materials, integration, testing).

The course follows a “Mission Pathway.” You will work in teacher-assigned, multidisciplinary teams using a Role + Shadow-Role model—allowing you to contribute deep expertise in your home discipline while gaining breadth in another.

Weekly Routine:

• Lectures: One 2-hour session per week covering theoretical foundations and guest lectures.
• Group Dynamics: Weekly internal discussions and sync-meetings with the teaching team.
• Monthly Reviews: Cross-group “Project Review Meetings” to exchange inputs, outputs, and resolve technical interfaces.

You will utilize the FUSE lab for fabrication and the M2 Marine Technology Lab for final water tank testing and performance validation.

The course combines:

• Design and reduced-order engineering analysis
• Entry-level FSI simulations
• Embedded control implementation (PID and ML-assisted approaches)
• Laboratory prototyping and water tank experiments
• System integration workshops

The final deliverables include a functional prototype, reproducible technical artefacts (CAD, code, data), a concise technical report, and an oral presentation.

How to apply

Apply to all Tracks courses at antagning.se / universityadmissions.se
Search for the course code TRA540

To assess your application, please provide us with
1. A brief CV highlighting your technical background (Mechanical, Electrical, AI, etc.).
2. A short Motivation Statement (max 200 words) specifying your intended Primary Role”” (e.g., “”I wish to focus on the Locomotion/AI track””) and which “”Shadow Role”” you are interested in exploring.””
The purpose of the motivation letter is to assist the teachers in grouping students with respect to background and interests.

Upload the letter of motivation on your account at antagning.se / universityadmissions.se.

More information on how to select courses

Language of instruction

English

Tracks – a unique concept

These courses provide hands-on experience solving real-world problems, fostering a collaborative mindset, and expanding your professional network. Operating in close partnership with industry, society, and cutting-edge research, Tracks courses are also continuously changed to be as up to date as possible.

Collaboration and entrepreneurship

With a Tracks course, you will become better at collaborating with people from different countries and backgrounds. You will also learn more about ethics, communication, and entrepreneurship. These skills will equip you with a head start in working life. When you take a Tracks course, you also work in our brand-new makerspace: Fuse, which is a creative meeting place with 3D printers, a variety of studios, and workshops where your creativity can flourish.

If you have already attended Chalmers and chosen to take a Tracks course, you will have the advantage of familiarizing yourself with a current critical subject and building on your current knowledge. Together with other engineers, architects, and entrepreneurs of the future, you will gain new perspectives in your future professional life.

Most Tracks courses use Chalmers makerspace Fuse – a creative meeting place where education, research, industry and the community come together to test and implement ideas.