Like T-1000: Liquid robot moves, divides and reunites
When you think of a liquid robot, you immediately think of the T-1000 from "Terminator 2". Researchers are developing a robot with similar properties.
The drop-shaped robot splits up to slip through metal rods.
(Image: Seoul National University (Screenshot))
A research team from Seoul National University College has succeeded in developing a liquid robot that is stable enough to move, deform, divide, merge and absorb objects and substances. It thus imitates the behavior of biological cells and is reminiscent of the T-1000 robot from the action film "Terminator 2".
Scientists have been researching how to imitate the behavior of biological cells with robots for several years. However, robots with solid bodies cannot deform, divide freely, merge with each other or absorb substances. The Korean research team has therefore coated a liquid with a network of dense, water-repellent particles, as they write in the study "Particle-armored liquid robots", which has been published in Science Advances.
Producing the liquid robot was not easy. First, the scientists attempted to encapsulate a spherical droplet with the particles. The researchers used a process similar to that used in the production of liquid marbles. However, this proved to be less effective. A change of perspective then provided the solution: they first froze the liquid, coated the ice cube with the particles and then thawed it. According to the scientists, the stability of the liquid robot also benefited from this.
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The properties of the soft robot are impressive: it can be deformed, can withstand strong compression and can return to its original shape. The researchers also succeeded in enabling the robot to move quickly, split up and merge again. It is able to absorb and transport various substances. This is possible both on solid ground and on water surfaces.
Divisible like the T-1000
The South Korean research team is not afraid to draw comparisons with the T-1000 robot from the action film "Terminator 2". The seemingly invincible robot can take on different forms, divide and reassemble itself. For example, it could walk through a metal rod structure. The scientists also tried this with their robot from – and it worked. The liquid robot split, slipped through the bars and merged again.
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The liquid robot is controlled by ultrasound. The researchers are already working on improving the control system using sound waves and electric fields in order to be able to change its shape freely.
The liquid robot is less suitable as a movie villain. Its area of application lies more in the field of biomedicine. For example, the robot could take a drug inside itself and gently transport it to where it is needed in the patient's body. The liquid robot could also be used for explorations or disasters. It would be helped by its ability to slip through the narrowest of cracks.
The scientists want to improve the material functionality to enable a wide range of industrial applications.
(olb)
