A groundbreaking innovation in soft robotics has emerged, featuring a new design that allows insect-sized robots to traverse water surfaces. This technology is particularly aimed at monitoring environmental pollutants, collecting samples, or inspecting flood-stricken areas that are hazardous for human intervention.
The design draws inspiration from the water strider insect, commonly known for its ability to walk on liquid surfaces. The research team, comprised of Ziyu Chen, Mengtian Yin, and Baoxing Xu from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, has tackled the challenges associated with creating such robots.
Developing these aquatic robots presents significant hurdles, but the team has devised an innovative manufacturing process that addresses many of the obstacles that have previously hindered progress. Their new method enables the creation of soft, floating devices directly on water, streamlining the production process.
Traditionally, thin, flexible films that are lightweight enough to mimic the water strider needed to be produced on rigid surfaces like glass, and then delicately peeled off and transferred to water—often resulting in breakage. The new technique circumvents this issue by utilizing the liquid itself as a “workbench.” The researchers can spread droplets of liquid polymer into ultra-thin, uniform sheets on the water”s surface.
Using a precisely calibrated laser, the team is capable of crafting intricate patterns in these sheets, including circles and strips, with remarkable accuracy. Through this design approach, they successfully constructed prototypes of two insect-inspired robots.
The first prototype, HydroBuckler, moves forward on water using bending legs, imitating the locomotion of the water strider. The second prototype, HydroFlexor, propels itself across the surface by mimicking the flapping movements of fish fins.
The details of their innovative manufacturing method and the prototypes they have developed are documented in the academic journal Science Advances.
This advancement in robotics not only highlights the potential for improved environmental monitoring but also showcases the fascinating intersection of biology and technology, paving the way for future applications in various fields.
