Snail-Like Robot Could Collect Microplastics on Ocean Surfaces

A snail-inspired robot might just be the solution we need to clear the oceans, seas, and other waterways of microplastics.

Engineers at Cornell University developed a flexible robot prototype that uses an undulating motion to move and collect tiny plastic particles on the water's surface. Prof. Sunghwan "Sunny" Jung, the study's senior author, explained how the team took design inspiration from a common aquarium snail, the Hawaiian apple snail:

"We were inspired by how this snail collects food particles at the [water and air] interface to engineer a device that could possibly collect microplastics in the ocean or at a water body's surface."

A modified version of an existing design, the new prototype features a flexible carpet-like sheet that can continuously move up and down. It also has a helical structure underneath the sheet that rotates like a corkscrew. This movement forces the carpet to rise and fall, allowing the robot to travel on the water.

The snail-inspired fluid-pumping system operates in an open-air environment. Researchers determined that a comparable closed system, where the pump is enclosed and relies on a tube to draw in water and particles, would demand significant energy input. In contrast, the open design, modeled after the snail's method, is much more energy-efficient, with only 5V of electricity required to draw in water successfully.

However, for this prototype to be used in real-world applications, it would have to be scaled up. A floatation device would also be needed to prevent the weight of the battery and motor from causing the robot to sink.

Read the full article here to gain more insight into the flexible, undulating robot that removes microplastics.

Experience superior water purity with Aqua Solutions! Our advanced purification systems deliver high-quality Type I and Type II water for your lab needs. Explore more at https://www.aquaa.com/.