Robot Jellyfish Combined For Ocean

Engineers in the US say they have invented a hydrogen-powered drudge that moves by H2O similar to a jellyfish.

Development of the robot, nicknamed Robojelly, is in the early stages but researchers hope it could finally be used in underwater rescue operations.

Writing in Smart Materials and Structures , Yonas Tadesse mentioned the jellyfish's elementary swimming action done it an preferred model for a vehicle.

Being fuelled by hydrogen means, in theory, it will not run out of energy.

Mr Tadesse, the lead writer of the study, said: "To the knowledge, this is the initial successful powering of an underwater drudge using outmost hydrogen as a fuel source."

A jellyfish moves using round muscles in the inside of its umbrella-like bell.

As they contract, the bell closes in on itself and ejects H2O to propel itself forward. When the muscles relax, the bell regains its original shape.

To replicate this, the van uses figure mental recall alloys - materials that "remember" their original shape.

These are wrapped in CO nanotubes - minuscule "straws" of pristine CO that are eminent for their electrical properties - and coated with a gold black powder.

The drudge is powered by heat-producing containing alkali reactions between the oxygen and hydrogen in H2O and the gold on its surface.

The feverishness from the reactions is eliminated to the synthetic muscles of the robot, and reshapes them.

This means Robojelly can reproduce fuel from its environment rsther than than running off an outmost power source or batteries.

The team, from Virginia Tech in the US, hope this could meant it need never run out of energy.

Currently, the jellyfish flexes its 8 bell segments at the same time but there are skeleton to look at how to manage any portion individually.

This would meant the drudge could be more keenly tranquil and pierce in not similar directions.

The investigate was sponsored by the US Office of Naval Research, that invests in projects to gain the US Navy and Marine Corps.