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Source: The post is based on the article “What are gelbots?” published in The Hindu on 21st December 2022
What is the News?
John Hopkins University scientists have built a soft robot named Gelbots.
What are Gelbots?
Gelbots are made out of gelatin. They are created by 3D printing.
They are capable of moving without requiring an extra power source because of the way their shape, dimensions and patterning of gel are designed.
This is because the gels swell or shrink in response to temperature. This property can be strategically manipulated to move robots forward and backwards on flat surfaces or to have them crawl in certain directions with an undulating, wave-like motion.
What are the potential applications of Gelbots?
Gelbots can be a significant advance in the world of soft robotics. (Soft robotics is a branch of robotics where the robots are fashioned out of organic and non-metallic materials)
They can be used a) To create smart structures, b) For moving on surfaces through the human body to deliver targeted medicines, c) To deploy as marine robots, patrolling and monitoring the ocean’s surface and d) Trained to crawl in response to variations in human biomarkers and biochemical.
