Researchers in South Korea are developing a type of super-elastic robot that can self-destruct in natural environments, aiding in fields such as medicine and military applications.
Today, robots are continuously evolving to support humans in daily life and work. However, most are designed from rigid materials, consisting of metal structures, and operate through electronic control panels connected to computers.
The robot will transition from a solid to a liquid state when it receives a self-destruct command. (Photo: Trust my science).
These robots have significant drawbacks, including high production costs, limited mobility on certain terrains, and poor support when assisting human movements.
Therefore, a team of scientists from Seoul National University in South Korea has created a new soft robot powered by pneumatic systems, measuring approximately 3 cm in length, with four legs that move in a twisting manner like a caterpillar and possess super-elasticity.
Notably, it has the ability to self-regulate its own life.
These flexible robots contribute to biomedical systems by mimicking the soft tissues of the human body to perform non-invasive surgeries or deliver medication to specific treatment sites before self-destructing, eliminating the need for human intervention to remove them.
Additionally, it serves a purpose in military applications as a spy robot tasked with gathering information about enemies before self-destructing and dissolving like an oil slick to avoid falling into the wrong hands or exploring dangerous areas unsafe for human presence.
The research team utilized a silicon mixture to create the robot, which will quickly decompose upon exposure to UV light and heat.
A scenario (in an undefined environment) was established to test its self-destruct capabilities. First, the robot employs a sensor system and optical detector to measure the ambient temperature and detect areas with UV light.
To complete the self-destruct mission, it moves to the UV area within 30 minutes, then proceeds to an area with a temperature of 120°C that the robot previously detected.
The result led to the robot transitioning from a solid to a liquid state.
“The ambient heat is transmitted from the heating plate beneath the robot’s legs, then spreads throughout its body, enabling its self-destruction,” explained the research team.
