Yonas Tadesse (University of Texas at Dallas)
Researchers at University of Texas at Dallas and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg have developed an autonomous undersea vehicle inspired by the common jellyfish that runs on hydrogen and oxygen in the water. The team, led by Dallas engineering professor and first author Yonas Tadesse (pictured left), published its findings this week in the journal Smart Materials and Structures (free registration required).
The Robojelly, as they call the vehicle, is constructed of two bell-like structures made from silicone that fold like an umbrella. Connecting the structures are connectors acting like muscles that contract to move. These “muscles” are made of a nickel-titanium alloy wrapped in carbon nanotubes, coated with platinum and housed in a pipe.
The new self-powered Robojelly is an upgrade of a previous invention that was battery-powered. In the new device, the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen atoms encounter the platinum in the muscle-connectors, with heat and water vapor created as a result. That heat causes a contraction that moves the muscles of the device, pumping out the water and starting the cycle again.
“We’ve created an underwater robot that doesn’t need batteries or electricity,” says Tadesse. “The only waste released as it travels is more water.”
The U.S. Office of Naval Research funded the study. The prototype device is expected to evolve into a system used for surveillance and detecting pollution. Tadesse says the next step in the project will involve refining the legs of the Robojelly to move independently, allowing the device to travel in more than one direction.
The following video shows the Robojelly in motion.
Read more: Prototype Spherical Robot Developed to Monitor Reactor Pipes
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Yoni man wht a huge progress bro? Ohhh man I got no word to Say…Harar korach bante yoni!!!!!! Congra man!!!! I”ll call u on the weekend.
Dr.Yonas, Congratulations!
Yon, Congratulations and I am proud of you.
Yidne, your freshman crew 🙂
Mr. Yonas, that is a great finding & we are proud of u bro. Keep it up!
Congratulations Dr. Yonas. You make us graduates of AAU proud!
Proud to read this great achievement. :))
Good job Yagere Lij…Very proud of you!!!!
Ohh very great achievement. Keep it up Dr.
I love to see Ethiopian in such achievements.
God bless u.
Congratulation. Proud of you.
we all know u will do more, good job Yoni!!!!!!!!!! Harer proud of u.
Brother i have no word to say anything but i can say i’m proud of you , keep it up i will pray for you to see some other admiring research that make proud our country , YOUR MA AND PA ALWAYS MAKE YOU SHOOT THAT IS WHY YOU SHOOT LIKE THIS YONI THANKS FOR YOUR GOOD JOB B KEEP IT UP ,WISH GOD B WITH YOU .
Congra yoni! we all proud of you. keep it up! God be with you.
[…] Robot Jellyfish Runs on Hydrogen, Oxygen in Water […]
Ethiopia is very proud of u and she give berth that make her name above all.u inspires me to do some valuable thing for my country.GOD BLESS U WITH HIS WISDOM
GREAT Yoni may God be with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow yoni,what a good news!!!!!!!!!