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A robot that can walk on water

I am not talking about Jesus here. Maybe, the Jesus of the robot kind. Scientists claim they have developed an aquatic robot, one that can walk and run on water. Phew, scientists and their claims.

So, lets look at their claims. An international team says that the microrobot mimics the amazing water-walking abilities of water strider — the long-legged insect that scoots across the surface of ponds, lakes and other waterways.

The bionic microrobot incorporates improvements over previous devices of this kind that position it as a prime candidate for military spy missions, water pollution monitoring, and other applications, said the scientists and researchers.

“Walking on the water surface is a dream of humans, but it is exactly the way of life for some aquatic insects,” said team leader Qinmin Pan, Zhejiang University associate professor of chemical engineering, who has achieved this rare feat.. The robot can walk on water because of its highly water-repellent (superhydrophobic) legs, says the team.

Wow, for a second I thought it would actually walk on water like Jesus. This concept is just stolen from nature.

The scientists describe progress on a new robot, with a body about the size of a quarter; 10 water-repellent, wire legs; and two movable, oar-like legs — propelled by two miniature motors. What happens if it drowns in lake, will they be able to find it ?

“Because the weight of the microrobot, which is equal to that of about 390 water striders, one might expect that it will sink quickly when placed on the water surface,” say the scientists.

However, it stands effortlessly on water surfaces and also walks and turns freely, according to the findings which are published in the ‘Applied Materials & Interfaces’ journal. The new robot has a body about the size of a quarter; 10 water-repellent, wire legs; and two movable, oar-like legs – propelled by two miniature motors.

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