BEIJING - A Chinese team has developed a small robot that can work in the world's deepest sea trench under extremely high pressure. The robot's ability to work is an engineering marvel that was previously only achievable with large, rigid submarines weighing several tons. The researchers, led by Beihang University faculty members, took inspiration from the movement patterns of bat fish and designed a 50-centimeter-long robot that is able to swim, glide and crawl.
Experts report that the pressure-resistant robot has successfully completed these tasks in the Haima Cold Sinkhole and the Mariana Trench at depths of 1,384 metres and 10,666 metres, respectively. "We've figured out how to make it move as well or better in the deep sea than on land at normal temperature and pressure," He said Wen Li, professor from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Automation at Beihang University.
The robot generates thrust through its tail fin as it swims, reaching a maximum speed of 5.5 centimetres per second. When crawling, it can use its limbs to move across a sandy surface at 3 centimetres per second, according to a study published this week in the journal Science Robotics.
In the 10,600-metre-deep Mariana Trench, the pressure can reach 110 million pascals - similar to putting a one-ounce weight on your thumbnail. The team created a flexible actuation device that takes advantage of the stiffening properties of soft silicone materials under high pressure.
"The structure of the material transforms the external high pressure into increased velocity and amplitude of the actuator, turning a weakness into a strength," said Mr. Fei, the first author of the Beihang article. In deep-sea temperatures of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, the team attached shape-memory alloy springs to the robot's actuator. By heating the springs with periodic currents that force them to alternately contract, they enabled high-frequency and fast oscillations, according to the study.
Currently, the team is actively pursuing research in the area of deep-sea morphable robotics combined with artificial intelligence to create more extensive capabilities for intelligent operations in deep-sea environments.
CMG/CGTN/Xinhua / gnews.cz-jav
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