Sweating Robot
My last post was science-related.
And now this post is going to be science-related.
I was not a "science geek" in either high school or college, but I'll admit this one (like the last one) is very, very cool.
Researchers create 3D-printed, sweating robot muscle
A SWEATING WHAT?
Robot muscle???? HUH??!!??
Just when it seemed like robots couldn’t get any cooler, Cornell researchers have created a soft robot muscle that can regulate its temperature through sweating.
This form of thermal management is a basic building block for enabling untethered, high-powered robots to operate for long periods of time without overheating, according to the Rob Shepherd, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, who led the project.
Here's where is gets very science-y:
The researchers fabricated fingerlike actuators composed of two hydrogel materials that can retain water and respond to temperature – in effect, “smart” sponges. The base layer, made of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide, reacts to temperatures above 30 C (86 F) by shrinking, which squeezes water up into a top layer of polyacrylamide that is perforated with micron-sized pores. These pores are sensitive to the same temperature range and automatically dilate to release the “sweat,” then close when the temperature drops below 30 C.
The evaporation of this water reduces the actuator’s surface temperature by 21 C within 30 seconds, a cooling process that is approximately three times more efficient than in humans, the researchers found. The actuators are able to cool off roughly six times faster when exposed to wind from a fan.
Robots that sweat. Wow.
Maybe I need to invest in a patent to ensure I'm in on the ground floor of what could become a HUUUUUUGE market in 10-20 years......... robot deodorant.
I can only imagine what BO from C3PO might smell like. UGH!
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
