Edible aquatic robots with Marangoni propulsion by Shuhang Zhang & Bokeon Kwak & Ruihao Zhu & Markéta Pankhurst & Lu Zhang & Remko M. Boom & Dario Floreano instant download

Edible aquatic robots with Marangoni propulsion by Shuhang Zhang & Bokeon Kwak & Ruihao Zhu & Markéta Pankhurst & Lu Zhang & Remko M. Boom & Dario Floreano instant download

Centimeter-scale aquatic robots could be used in environmental monitoring,exploration, and intervention in aquatic environments. However, existingrobots rely on artificial polymers and commercial electronic components,1234567890():,;1234567890():,;which can pollute and disrupt sensitive ecological environments if they are notretrieved. To address these challenges, we describe a fully biodegradable andfully edible self-propelled device that leverages the Marangoni effect forautonomous propulsion. The body of the edible aquatic robot is made offreeze-dried fish food and is powered by a water-triggered pneumatic reactionthat produces motion by sustained release of a surfactant that is safe foraquatic fauna. The device’s biodegradable and non-toxic composition allowsfor safe environmental deployment for environmental sensing, delivery ofnutrition or medication in aquatic environments. The proposed method substantially expands the potential benefits of small-scale aquatic robots thatcould be deployed on a large scale without the need to retrieve them and evenprovide nutrition to wildlife at the end of their lifetime as animals do.