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Diodes Could Drive Swimming Micro-Robots

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the robot-parade dept.

finisterre writes "Diodes can be made to 'swim' through salt water by hitting them with an alternating electric field. The applied field induces a current that sets up a field between the diode's electrical contacts and creates a propulsive force. The abstract of the paper in Nature Materials is freely available. New Scientist has videos of the swimming diodes in action."

1 of 51 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Toy + Publicity Stunt by hey! · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The propulsion principle has been known for at least a hundred years. The only 'new' thing is to use a diode to generate a DC field from externally applied AC.


    Sure, and the internal combustion engine consists of simple machines like levers and wheels that have been known for millenia, it's just arranging them so they can convert intermittent explosions into smooth rotational movement that's new.

    Finding surprising new uses for old ideas counts as a new idea.
    --
    Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.