For their synthetic fairy, Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang got inspired by dandelion seeds. Credit: Jianfeng Yang/ Tampere University
The loss of pollinators, such as bees, is a big challenge for international biodiversity and affects mankind by causing problems in food production. At Tampere University, researchers have now developed the first passively flying robot geared up with artificial muscle. Could this synthetic fairy be utilized in pollination?
The advancement of stimuli-responsive polymers has produced a wealth of material-related chances for next-generation small, wirelessly managed soft-bodied robotics. For a long time now, engineers have understood how to utilize these materials to make small robots that can stroll, swim and leap. Far, no one has actually been able to make them fly.Researchers of the Light Robots group at Tampere University are now investigating how to make wise material fly. Hao Zeng, Academy Research Fellow and the group leader, and Jianfeng Yang, a doctoral researcher, have actually developed a brand-new style for their project called FAIRY– Flying Aero-robots based upon Light Responsive Materials Assembly. They have actually established a polymer-assembly robotic that zips wind and is controlled by light.
” Superior to its natural equivalents, this synthetic seed is equipped with a soft actuator. The actuator is made of light-responsive liquid crystalline elastomer, which induces opening or closing actions of the bristles upon visible light excitation,” explains Hao Zeng.
Could this artificial fairy be utilized in pollination?
Far, no one has been able to make them fly.Researchers of the Light Robots group at Tampere University are now looking into how to make clever product fly. Hao Zeng, Academy Research Fellow and the group leader, and Jianfeng Yang, a doctoral researcher, have come up with a brand-new design for their job called FAIRY– Flying Aero-robots based on Light Responsive Materials Assembly. They have actually established a polymer-assembly robot that flies by wind and is controlled by light.
The synthetic fairy established by Zeng and Yang has numerous biomimetic features.
Responsive polymer allows the development of artificial, autonomously operating structures. In dark and calm weather condition, the fairy stays still. When there suffices light, the structure opens automatically enabling flying in the wind circulation. Credit: Jianfeng Yang/ Tampere University
The artificial fairy is controlled by light
The artificial fairy developed by Zeng and Yang has a number of biomimetic functions. It can easily float in the air directed by the wind due to the fact that of its high porosity (0.95) and light-weight (1.2 mg) structure. What is more, a stable apart vortex ring generation makes it possible for long-distance wind-assisted traveling.
” The fairy can be powered and managed by a light, such as a laser beam or LED,” Zeng states.
This means that light can be utilized to change the shape of the tiny dandelion seed-like structure. The fairy can adapt manually to wind direction and force by altering its shape. A beam can also be utilized to manage the liftoff and landing actions of this polymer assembly.
Prospective application opportunities in agriculture
Next, the scientists will focus on enhancing the product level of sensitivity to allow the operation of the device in sunlight. In addition, they will up-scale the structure so that it can carry micro-electronic devices such as GPS and sensing units in addition to biochemical substances.
According to Zeng, there is potential for much more substantial applications.
” It seems like sci-fi, but the proof-of-concept experiments included in our research study program that the robot we have developed supplies a crucial action towards reasonable applications appropriate for artificial pollination,” he reveals.
In the future, countless synthetic dandelion seeds carrying pollen could be distributed freely by natural winds and then guided by light towards particular locations with trees waiting for pollination.
” This would have a substantial influence on farming worldwide because the loss of pollinators due to international warming has become a major threat to biodiversity and food production,” Zeng states.
Many questions stay to be answered
Many problems need to be solved. For instance, how to control the landing area in an accurate way? How to reuse the gadgets and make them eco-friendly? These issues require close partnership with materials scientists and individuals dealing with microrobotics.
Recommendation: “Dandelion-Inspired, Wind-Dispersed Polymer-Assembly Controlled by Light” by Jianfeng Yang, Hang Zhang, Alex Berdin, Wenqi Hu and Hao Zeng, 27 December 2022, Advanced Science.DOI: 10.1002/ advs.202206752.
The FAIRY task begun in September 2021 and will last until August 2026. It is funded by the Academy of Finland. The flying robotic is investigated in cooperation with Dr. Wenqi Hu from Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (Germany) and Dr. Hang Zhang from Aalto University.