Aquatic Mini Robot Moves by Magnetism and Light

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) developed a miniature plastic robot that's made of responsive polymers and moves under the influence of light and magnetism. The researchers say that this "wireless aquatic polyp" should be able to capture contaminant particles from surrounding liquid or pick up and transport cells for analysis in diagnostic devices. In this video, the artificial polyp attracts and grabs a floating oil droplet.

Read Tech Briefs' interview with Doctoral candidate Marina Pilz Da Cunha of TU/e.