Slashdot Mirror


Flying Robots Made From Cellophane?

Roland Piquepaille writes "Researchers have discovered that ordinary cellulose is a piezoelectric and smart material that can flap when exposed to an electric field. ScienceNOW reports that electricity can give life to cellophane. When you put a very thin layer of gold on each side of cellophane, and that you apply electric current to the gold layers, one positive, one negative, the cellophane curved toward the positive side. If you switch the voltage fast enough, the cellophane starts to act as a wing. So it should be possible to use it to build lightweight flying robots carrying cameras, microphones or sensors for surveillance missions. Read more for additional references and pictures about this electroactive paper (EAPap)."

1 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. Did enyone else read that as by Trogre · · Score: 0, Redundant

    "Flying Robots Made From Cellphone"?

    I'd thought the phones were taking over. I need to buy a new one now.

    --
    "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife