Researchers at Sichuan University in China have developed a proof-of-concept for a robotic fish that collects microplastics and absorbs them into its self-healing body.
Earth’s oceans are becoming increasingly polluted with microplastics, with WWF predicting that current levels will quadruple by 2050.
The researchers hope to deploy the robots, which measures just 1.3cm (0.5in) in size, to clean up the world’s water supply.
The fish are capable of swimming 2.76 body lengths per second, which is reportedly fast for an artificial soft robot.
“We developed such a lightweight miniaturised robot,” said Wang Yuyan, one of the researchers on the project.
“It can be used in many ways, for example in biomedical or hazardous operations, such a small robot that can be localised to a part of your body to help you eliminate some disease.
“We are mostly working on collection of microplastics. It is like a sampling robot and it can be used repeatedly.”
The robot’s movement is activated by light, which can also be used to control its body to prevent collisions with objects or ships.
The body of the fish is also self-repairing and made from polyurethane, a biocompatible material that can be digested without causing harm in the event that the robot is eaten by another fish or marine animal.
