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)."

Comments

Wonderful

[bsartist]

So it should be possible to use it to build lightweight flying robots carrying cameras, microphones or sensors for surveillance missions.

Wonderful, that's just what the NSA needs, a cheaper more efficient way to spy on us.

dammit i dugg and now what

[icepick72]

I hate to say it, and I'm only going to say it this once, but I'm seeing this story and most others on Digg.com first. Of course it's because the story gets held up at /. because the moderators have to review it whereas at Digg.com the promotion of the story is almost instantaneous by the users. I like Slashdot's commentary system better, because there is more room for discussion compared to the Digg system which seems to be based on quick snippets expressed here and there before the edit timer runs out or the next stories come rolling in fast. But ... I already commented on Digg dammit! I have less energy for /. I just might be moving over to the dark side of the force. Luuuuuke. (I expect to be modding down because this post is completely off topic, but at least I got to say it once, and only once.)