[thechat] Robot answers the mystery of how insects walk on water

Madhu Menon webguru at vsnl.net
Thu Aug 7 13:15:26 CDT 2003


http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_medical/story.jsp?story=431300

<quote>

The mystery of how some insects can walk on water has been solved with the 
construction of a lightweight robot that performs the same feat.

Using high-speed photography and the mathematical principles of mechanical 
engineering, researchers discovered the secrets of the pond skater - a 
long-legged creature that can skim across water - called water striders in 
the US.

The robot strider, made of stainless steel wire coated in a 
water-repellent, is powered by an elastic thread that pulls its legs 
backwards and forwards across the water's surface, just like the real insect.

</quote>



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