Research project
BAT Monitoring via novel Assays and smart Nano-electronics (BATMAN)
- Start date: 1 September 2023
- End date: 31 December 2026
- Funder: Leverhulme Trust
- Primary investigator: Dr Christina Stanley
- Co-investigators: Professor Yu Shi FIMMM, CEng
- Postgraduate students: Dr Mostafa Awaid
Value
£499,866
Partners and collaborators
University of Chester
Description
BATMAN (BAT Monitoring via novel Assays and smart Nano-electronics), a Leverhulme Trust funded project, will apply a wealth of interdisciplinary expertise to develop unique solutions to monitor bat species in the wild. The UK-native lesser horseshoe bat (LHB; Rhinolophus hipposideros) was selected as the focal species for this project due to a current deficit in our understanding of this species’ behaviour, as well as its low body mass (5-9 g, making monitoring individual movements particularly challenging) and protected status in the UK. We will develop an ultralight, smart-composite, self-powered Wearable Smart Device (WSD) that can be deployed on this small-bodied bat, in addition to designing and validating physiological and behavioural methodology to quantify anthropogenic impacts at the local (roost) level. This work will occur in close collaboration with the Vincent Wildlife Trust, who regularly monitor a large number of LHB roost sites across the UK.