According to a group of Chinese researchers from Sichuan University in southwest China, robot fish that “eat” microplastics could one day assist in cleaning up the world’s filthy oceans.
These cuddly, 1.3-centimeter (0.5-inch) robots are already sucking up microplastics in shallow water.
According to Wang Yuyan, one of the researchers who built the robot, the team hopes to make it possible for them to gather microplastics in deeper water and offer information to analyze marine pollution in real-time.
“Such a lightweight, little robot was created by us. It can be utilized in a variety of settings, such as biomedical or risky operations, or as a miniature robot that can be localized to a specific area of your body to assist in the treatment of a condition.”
A light is shining on the black robot fish, causing it to move its body and fins. To prevent it from colliding with other fish or ships, scientists can control the fish using light.
Being constructed of polyurethane, which is also biocompatible, it can be safely digested if it is unintentionally consumed by other fish, according to Wang.
Even when it is hurt, the fish can recover by absorbing pollutants. It can swim faster than the majority of artificial soft robots—up to 2.76 body lengths per second.
“Most of our effort right now is a collection (of microplastics). It functions similarly to a sample robot and it can be used repeatedly, she said.
