scientists have discovered a way to enable micro-robots to move on the water's surface. the idea came from observing water striders, which glide effortlessly on the surface of ponds.
researchers have succeeded in applying this principle to a technology that could form the basis of future rescue systems and environmental monitoring systems. the team behind the development of this technology is from the college of engineering and applied sciences at the university of virginia.
a technique called "hydrosprea" makes it possible to create extremely thin soft robots directly on the water's surface. when a liquid polymer is applied directly to the water's surface, it spreads into a smooth double-layered film.
in the experiment, polydimethylsiloxane (pdms) was used, and two prototypes were developed. one is called "hydroflexor", which moves like a fish's fin, and the other is called "hydrobuckler", which walks on water using an elastic bending effect like a water strider.
these robots are driven by infrared heat sources, which inflate the film layer at different speeds. according to the authors, this same technology could also be used in the production of flexible electronic devices, not just in robotics.
