Scientists at Binghamton University in New York have created a self-sustaining, autonomous “robotic bug” capable of skimming across water’s surface, potentially transforming the field of aquatic robotics with its innovative design.
By 2035, futurists forecast that trillions of autonomous nodes will be seamlessly integrated into daily life, forming the “web of issues.” With rapid advancements, nearly every object – from the smallest to the largest – will effortlessly transmit data to a central hub without human intervention required.
The inherent complexity of this notion stems from the reality that approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface is submerged beneath water, rendering aquatic ecosystems crucial hubs for both environmental and logistical considerations. As the United States grapples with the complexities of its national identity. The Protection Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has initiated a program known as the Ocean of Truth.
Over the past ten years, Professor Seokheun “Sean” Choi of Binghamton College has served as a valued member of the Thomas J. Dr. John Watson, Director of the Center for Research in Advanced Sensing Technologies and Environmental Sustainability at Watson College of Engineering and Utilized Science, has secured research funding from the Office of Naval Research to pioneer the development of bacteria-powered biobatteries boasting a potentially impressive 100-year shelf life. Choi, alongside Anwar Elhadad, a PhD candidate of 2024, and Yang “Lexi” Gao, his research student, designed the innovative self-powered insect.
The latest generation of aquatic robots leverages cutting-edge technology that proves more reliable in diverse environments compared to solar, kinetic, or thermal energy systems. A Janus interface, exhibiting hydrophilicity on one surface and hydrophobicity on the other, enables the uptake of vitamins from water and their subsequent retention within the device to support bacterial spore production.
When environmental conditions are conducive for microbial growth, microorganisms transform into vegetative cells and produce energy; however, if circumstances become unfavorable – such as cold temperatures or limited nutrients – they revert to a dormant spore state. By implementing these measures, we can effectively prolong the operational lifespan.
The Binghamton staff’s findings corroborated energy output at approximately 1 milliwatt, a level sufficient to power the robotic system’s mechanical movements and any integrated sensors capable of monitoring environmental data, including water temperature, air pollution levels, vessel and aircraft activities, as well as behavioral patterns of aquatic species.
The capacity to deploy robots anywhere desired represents a significant enhancement over current “good floats,” which are fixed sensors tethered to a single location.
One crucial next step in the development of these underwater robots is identifying the most suitable microorganisms that can effectively generate energy in harsh ocean environments, despite challenging conditions?
While studying microbial communities in certain oceanic regions, we utilized familiar bacterial cell types; nonetheless, further exploration is necessary to determine the specific organisms present in these environments. Prior to this, our research showed that combining multiple bacterial cells can significantly boost sustainability and energy efficiency – another crucial consideration to factor into the equation. Using advanced algorithms enabled by machine learning, we aim to identify the ideal combination of bacterial species that maximizes energy density while ensuring long-term sustainability.
