Environmental problems such as deforestation and trash dumped in the countryside are painfully visible. However, the deterioration of the seafloor ecosystem is often not noticed by anyone other than researchers. The devastation of the Posidonia wilderness and the bleaching of coral reefs are just a few examples. In fact, a plastic bag was recently found at the site. Bottom of the Marianne Trench, the deepest sea floor in the world.Therefore, development technology To Monitor ocean health is the most important. A few months ago we talked about robot fishthis time, explore the possibility of new autonomous technology: robot jellyfish.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) explored the possibility of creating a flexible and versatile system. technical equipment It can penetrate narrow openings in the sea. When I thought of sea creatures that might inspire me, I immediately thought of jellyfish. First, because of its soft tissue, and second, because of its natural neutral buoyancy. FAU scientists took these characteristics into account and developed his five devices of varying softness, with the aim of creating a robot that is better suited for seabed exploration.
As a starting point they 3D printed design. Each model incorporates eight tentacles inspired by moon jellyfish. Each tentacle has a channel that connects to the center of the robot and utilizes hydraulic propulsion, four on each side of the machine. In this way robot jellyfish It can be steered and moved sideways using only four tentacles. The robot can also rotate, go up and down. The design is completed by a central processing unit that includes a battery and chipset.
Thanks to the silicon used in its production, biomimetic robot You can explore every corner of the reef and establish reef health.
Our next goal is to add various features. sonar based sensor This will allow the device to calculate the space around it.
3D printed coral reef
Although the protection of these undersea ecosystems is undeniable progress, 3D printing technology Not worthy of praise.This is the strategy adopted leaf design labis a company that specializes in creating ceramic coral reefs through additive 3D printing, and has already installed models in remote locations such as the Caribbean and the Maldives.the team behind it innovative technology projects A structure with living coral fragments is submerged and allowed to fully settle over time. In the long term, it attracts seaweed and fish, creating a new ecosystem. In fact, in addition to the rich fauna, if you go scuba diving in the Maldives, you may even come across the world’s largest man-made coral reef.
source: tech explore, national geographic