A team of researchers at Johannes Kepler University in Austria has developed a robot made from environmentally biodegradable materials. According to a study published in the scientific journal "Science Robotics," the researchers created the robot using 3D printing techniques and inks made from natural materials.
For years, scientists have been trying to develop soft robots resembling marine organisms, intended for swimming inside the human body to deliver drug doses or treat diseased tissues. However, they often faced issues with the robots decomposing in water, difficulty in shaping them, and their short lifespan.
In this new experiment, the researchers in Austria used inks made from sugar and gelatin to create robots with a jelly-like consistency, adding citric acid to the inks to enhance their shape retention and make them more water-resistant.
During the creation of the robot, the researchers warmed the ink to facilitate its flow from the printer nozzle while printing in cool weather to ensure that the robot's components hardened once printing was complete.
The researchers began the experiment, reported by the technology website "Tech Explore," by creating the robot's motor and then sensor units that respond to light stimuli to guide the robot. After completing this phase, the team successfully manufactured and assembled the remaining components.
The study team confirmed that all components can be reloaded into the printer, melted down, and reused for the inks.
