Binghamton University researchers devised a self-powered “bug” that can skim across the water. Professor Seokheun "Sean" Choi / Bingham Ton University
First bid-like drones and now self-powered ‘bug’ robots, scientists have well-advanced in the innovation domain.
Striving to transform marine monitoring, researchers from Binghamton University, the State University of New York devised a tiny ‘bug’ like robot that will explore the Ocean Internet of Things (IoT).
Inspired by biological digestion, an advanced machine was designed and equipped with a self-sustained energy system.
Tiny aquatic robot for Ocean of Things
By 2035 over one trillion autonomous devices are expected to be woven into all aspects of human life as part of the “Internet of Things” (IoT), futurists say.
Regardless of size, most objects will likely collect and transmit data to a central database without human intervention.
Since water occupies the majority of the planet estimated at 332 million cubic miles – 71 percent, such aquatic robots could shed light on vast environments especially oceans as they hold 96.5 percent of all Earth’s water.
For this reason, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) began a program namely the Ocean of Things.
The bug skims across the water using bacteria-powered biobatteries.
Researchers explained in the study that the bug uses microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology to convert organic materials in aquatic environments into electricity through catalytic redox reactions.
“To extend the MFC’s lifespan, spore-forming Bacillus subtilis is used as the anodic biocatalyst, leveraging its ability to endure harsh conditions and reactivate in favorable environments, thus enhancing the MFC’s longevity,” noted the study.
Long shelf-life due to Janus interface
The bugs self-sustain also because of the Janus interface powering the aquatic robot through a steady supply of organic substrates for microbial viability.
The researchers further explained that a biomimetic Janus membrane with asymmetric surface wettability is integrated, enabling selective substrate intake.
It extracts the nutrients from water and fuels bacterial spore production in the aquatic robot. The biobatteries likely have a shelf life of 100 years.
“When the environment is favorable for the bacteria, they become vegetative cells and generate power,” said Seokheun “Sean” Choi from Binghamton University Professor Seokheun.
“But when the conditions are not favorable — for example, it’s really cold or the nutrients are not available — they go back to spores. In that way, we can extend the operational life.”
Bug-bots akin to small insects that are adapted for life on top of still water will be able to stride in the water via a motor.
The motor is powered by microbial metabolism, fueled by organic nutrients through the Janus membrane, researchers added.
“This study demonstrates the feasibility of using natural processes for technological advancement, setting new benchmarks in the design of autonomous systems,” the authors stated.
Soon, the researchers will experiment with bacteria on the aquatic robots to identify which works best for yielding energy even in stressful oceanic circumstances.
“We used very common bacterial cells, but we need to study further to know what is actually living in those areas of the ocean,” Choi says in a university statement.
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“Previously, we demonstrated that the combination of multiple bacterial cells can improve sustainability and power, so that’s another idea. Maybe using machine learning, we can find the optimal combination of bacterial species to improve power density and sustainability.”
The study was published in the journal – Advanced Materials Technologies on June 22, 2024.
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Shubhangi Dua As a quirky and imaginative multi-media journalist with a Masters in Magazine Journalism, I'm always cooking up fresh ideas and finding innovative ways to tell stories. I've dabbled in various realms of media, from wielding a pen as a writer to capturing moments as a photographer, and even strategizing on social media. With my creative spirit and eye for detail, I've worked across the dynamic landscape of multimedia journalism and written about sports, lifestyle, art, culture, health and wellbeing at Further Magazine, Alt.Cardiff and The Hindu. I'm on a mission to create a media landscape that's as diverse as a spotify playlist. From India to Wales and now England, my journey has been filled with adventures that inspire my paintings, cooking, and writing.