A robot inspired by Cheerios releasing alcohol fuel with a fluorescent dye
Jackson K. Wilt et al. 2024
Scientists have created tiny floating robots inspired by the way beetles and Cheerios behave in fluids. The robots use the Marangoni effect, where a liquid spreads quickly over a surface with different tensions. This effect lets beetles glide across ponds by secreting stenusin and allows soap-powered toy boats to move as well.
Researchers at Harvard University printed round plastic pucks with air chambers and alcohol fuel tanks inside. The alcohol leaks out gradually, propelling the robots across water. The scientists found that stronger alcohol leads to better propulsion, with vodka being the most effective.
The robots can move at speeds of 6 centimeters per second and can be combined to create larger devices that can move in different patterns. By understanding the Cheerios effect, where objects cluster due to surface tension, researchers hope to apply this technology in education and environmental or industrial processes.
These 3D-printed robots could be used to distribute substances in water or deposit materials over time in various applications. The potential for this technology is vast and could revolutionize how we interact with our environment.
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Vocabulary List:
- Marangoni /ˌmɛrəŋˈgoʊni/ (noun): A phenomenon where surface tension gradients cause fluid movement.
- Propelling /prəˈpɛlɪŋ/ (verb): Driving or pushing something forward.
- Fluorescent /flɔːˈrɛsənt/ (adjective): Emitting light as a result of being exposed to radiation.
- Secreting /sɪˈkriːtɪŋ/ (verb): Producing and releasing a substance from a cell or gland.
- Tensions /ˈtɛnʃənz/ (noun): States of strain or stress on a surface or medium.
- Revolutionize /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃənaɪz/ (verb): To bring about a dramatic change in something.
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