The microrobots, designed by researchers at Sichuan University, are soft, flexible, and self-healing, mimicking the speed and movement of plankton. They measure only 13mm in length and swim at almost 30mm a second, making them highly effective microplastic scavengers in moving water. The robots are made from a material inspired by mother-of-pearl, which allows them to adsorb nearby free-floating microplastics due to strong chemical bonds and electrostatic interactions.
Microplastics Scavenging
The researchers have demonstrated the microrobots’ ability to effectively capture microplastics in both freshwater and seawater environments. These microplastics can pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health, making the development of such efficient cleanup technologies crucial. The team’s findings suggest that these soft, bioinspired microrobots could be a promising solution for addressing the growing problem of microplastic pollution.