[ad_1] The fibers can range from just a few micrometers in thickness to a few millimeters, and they can be hundreds of meters of long. You can weave other elements into the fiber, too, such as nanowires (as researchers did to measure tension), electrodes or optical fibers. A robotic limb wouldn’t need external, bulky heat […]
Category: biomimicry
Fungus headphones offer a glimpse at the renewable future of electronics
[ad_1] The Korvaa headphones feature a headband 3D-printed with bioplastic made from yeast-produced lactic acid. The padding around the ear is made of Hydrophobin, a foaming protein produced by fungus, and plant cellulose. The imitation leather is also a fungus, and the mesh over the speakers is biosynthetic spider silk produced by microbes. The outer […]
Researchers say ‘spidey senses’ could help self-driving vehicles avoid hazards
[ad_1] As the researchers explain, one reason nature is able to process data so quickly is that things like spiders, bats and birds don’t have to process all data — just the information necessary to survival. For example, when prey lands on a spider’s web, hairs on the spider’s legs vibrate at a specific frequency […]
Stanford students’ robot dog does backflips for (relatively) cheap
[ad_1] It’s tiny, but it’s also more powerful than you might think. As it’s both very light and dense, it can jump as high as 3.5 feet in the air. This isn’t the most sophisticated robot. It requires manual control, and it’s not about to hold the door for you. The relatively affordable off-the-shelf parts […]
Scientists create a four-winged robot insect that flies with grace
[ad_1] The tiny flier can follow paths, dodge obstacles, perch and land. It’s even simpler to build than There’s still much, much more work to be done before there are robotic insects in service. Bee+ flies tethered, since that saves the team from factoring a battery into the design. Size is also a concern. While […]
Shrimp-inspired robot claw could punch through rock
[ad_1] The researchers started by creating a 3D-printed replica of the shrimp’s claw, which includes a top half that cocks back like a gun, and a plunger that smacks into a socket in the bottom half. The human-made version relies on a top half that spins quickly on a spring-loaded rod, producing the force needed […]
MIT robot’s flytrap gripper can grab both fragile and heavy objects
[ad_1] The underlying gripper revolves around a 3D-printed origami structure made out of a plastic that folds on itself at high temperatures. It can effectively adapt to the shape of whatever it’s grabbing without compromising its strength. Vacuum power keeps objects firmly in place, while an airtight skin made from fabric or a rubber balloon […]