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Dancing Micro-Robots Waltz on a Pin's Head

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the i-have-several-pin-heads-to-donate-to-testing dept.

coondoggie writes to mention that Duke University researchers have created micro-robots and made them dance to their tune. With dimensions measured in microns, these tiny bots were made to waltz to the music of Strauss on the head of a pin just one millimeter across. "In another sequence, the devices pivot in a precise fashion whenever their boom-like steering arms are drawn down to the surface by an electric charge. This response resembles the way dirt bikers turn by extending a boot heel, researchers said. The researchers said they have also been able to get five of the devices to group-maneuver in cooperation under the same control system.Known as microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microrobots, the devices are of suitable scale for Lilliputian tasks such as moving around the interiors of laboratories-on-a-chip."

4 of 89 comments (clear)

  1. Yes, but... by Sabz5150 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Are they angels?

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    "Who modded this informative? Whoever it is must've been smokin' some of that martian pot!"
  2. How many? by Cycon · · Score: 0, Redundant
    So now we finally know how many micro robots can dance on the head of a pin.

    Take that, Aquinas.

    --
    Your Brain + EEG + LEGO Robots = Brainstorms
  3. I, for one, by oodaloop · · Score: 1, Redundant

    welcome our...pin-waltzing...micro-robot...ah, forget it.

    --
    Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
  4. Did you look at them? by msauve · · Score: 0, Redundant

    One only needs to change the question to: "How many angles can dance on the head of a pin?"

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    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law