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.
Topics:
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.
How much do you know?
What is the main inspiration behind the tiny floating robots mentioned in the text?
What effect do the robots use to move across water?
What type of fuel is found inside the round plastic pucks of the robots?
What kind of alcohol was found to be the most effective for propelling the robots?
What is the speed at which the robots can move?
What could researchers potentially apply the technology of these robots to?
The Marangoni effect allows beetles to glide across ponds.
The robots can only move individually and cannot be combined to form larger devices.
The Cheerios effect mentioned in the text refers to objects clustering due to gravitational forces.
The technology of the 3D-printed robots has limited potential and applications.
Vodka was found to be the least effective alcohol for propelling the robots.
The way beetles and Cheerios behave in fluids was not a source of inspiration for the floating robots.
The robots can move at speeds of centimeters per second.
Researchers at Harvard University printed round plastic pucks with air chambers and alcohol fuel tanks inside, and found that stronger alcohol leads to better propulsion, with Vodka being the most effective. These robots could be used to distribute substances in water or deposit materials over time in various applications. The potential for this technology is and could revolutionize how we interact with our environment.
The technology of these 3D-printed robots may be applied in and environmental or industrial processes.
The robots use the effect to move across water, where a liquid spreads quickly over a surface with different tensions.
The main inspiration behind the tiny floating robots mentioned in the text is how behave in fluids.
Researchers hope to apply the technology of these robots in and environmental or industrial processes.