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Controllable water surface to underwater transition through electrowetting in a hybrid terrestrial-aquatic microrobot

Author

Listed:
  • Yufeng Chen

    (Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Neel Doshi

    (Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Benjamin Goldberg

    (Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Hongqiang Wang

    (Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Robert J. Wood

    (Harvard University
    Harvard University)

Abstract

Several animal species demonstrate remarkable locomotive capabilities on land, on water, and under water. A hybrid terrestrial-aquatic robot with similar capabilities requires multimodal locomotive strategies that reconcile the constraints imposed by the different environments. Here we report the development of a 1.6 g quadrupedal microrobot that can walk on land, swim on water, and transition between the two. This robot utilizes a combination of surface tension and buoyancy to support its weight and generates differential drag using passive flaps to swim forward and turn. Electrowetting is used to break the water surface and transition into water by reducing the contact angle, and subsequently inducing spontaneous wetting. Finally, several design modifications help the robot overcome surface tension and climb a modest incline to transition back onto land. Our results show that microrobots can demonstrate unique locomotive capabilities by leveraging their small size, mesoscale fabrication methods, and surface effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Yufeng Chen & Neel Doshi & Benjamin Goldberg & Hongqiang Wang & Robert J. Wood, 2018. "Controllable water surface to underwater transition through electrowetting in a hybrid terrestrial-aquatic microrobot," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-04855-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04855-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Minseok Gwon & Dongjin Kim & Baekgyeom Kim & Seungyong Han & Daeshik Kang & Je-Sung Koh, 2023. "Scale dependence in hydrodynamic regime for jumping on water," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Hongfa Zhao & Minyi Xu & Mingrui Shu & Jie An & Wenbo Ding & Xiangyu Liu & Siyuan Wang & Cong Zhao & Hongyong Yu & Hao Wang & Chuan Wang & Xianping Fu & Xinxiang Pan & Guangming Xie & Zhong Lin Wang, 2022. "Underwater wireless communication via TENG-generated Maxwell’s displacement current," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.

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