Scientists are working to develop eco-friendly devices and materials to reduce the overall pressure on environment. In one such attempt, IIT scientists found HybriBot, the Biohydrid robot could act as biodegradable vector for reforestation.
Scientists from Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) and the University of Freiburg are working together developing a biohybrid robot. Named HybriBot, it has a capsule made of flour using 3D microfabrication and two oat fruit parts that move when the air gets humid.
HybriBot is a part of the European project i-Seed, led by Barbara Mazzolai, who works with robotics at IIT. The innovation ecosystem RAISE, which focuses on robotics and artificial intelligence for socioeconomic empowerment, is supporting this project.
The main contributor to this work is Isabella Fiorello. She is a researcher at IIT working with Mazzolai’s team. She is also the Junior Principal Investigator at the University of Freiburg’s Cluster of Excellence Living, Adaptive, and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS).
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Highlights: Biohydrid Robot are Helpful in Reforestation
- The Bioinspired Soft Robotics lab at IIT is known for making robots based on plants.
- The HybriBot aims to help with climate change issues like reforestation and protecting wildlife.
- It is quite an innovative development as it can support seeds from different plants.
- HybriBot is eco-friendly because it’s made from materials that break down in nature. It’s also safe if animals accidentally eat it.
- This HybriBot is special because it mixes natural and artificial parts.
- The artificial body is made with flour. It is then made stable and waterproof using a coating of ethyl cellulose.
- The artificial capsule made with 3D microfabrication techniques weighs around 60 mg, which is about 3x the natural weight.
Working
It uses oat fruit pieces and a man-made capsule to carry seeds. The oat parts move when they get wet, spinning and gathering energy. When they release this energy, they move the capsule. This movement helps the seed to find a place to grow in the ground. Additionally, it’s not powered by any batteries or other additional energy sources.
The artificial body made from flour is then stabilized with a coating of ethyl cellulose. It makes it waterproof and then it is ready to be filled with seeds and fertilizers. The team has successfully tested it with tomato, chicory and even with willow herb seeds which are loved a lot by bees. The experiment has resulted in successful plant growth. The researchers have also filed a patent application for this innovative invention.
This Biohydrid robot could act as biodegradable vector for reforestation, growing trees and protecting different types of plants and animals. They tested it by planting seeds and found that they grew well. This research shows how robotics and technology can help society in positive ways.
Source: Flour and oats for the biohybrid robot useful for reforestation
