That’s why scientists are working on a new method to get rid of them permanently: fish-shaped robots that can actually clean the oceans while swimming. In a study published Wednesday in the journal Nano Letters, researchers at Sichuan University in China created a fish-boat made from a light-activated material that can absorb microplastics as it swims in water. The team believes the new bot could be used to transport pollutants to another location where they can be properly collected and disposed of. It could also be used to detect and monitor microplastics in harsher environments that humans cannot easily explore, such as Arctic icy waters. “The proof-of-concept robot proves to have a maximum bathing speed of 2.67 body lengths per second, the speed of which is comparable to that of a plankton,” the study authors wrote, adding that the speed is superior to similar soft robots. The fish-bot is made of a composite material that is safe for marine environments and reacts naturally when a near-infrared laser is pointed at it. If the laser flashes and goes out, the robot’s “tail” can strike back and forth, allowing it to mimic a real fish and swim. As it moves, the microplastics stick to its body, just as fish suck on whales and sharks. In addition, the material used by Sichuan University researchers can be repaired when cut – which means it heals itself effectively. While we are still a long way from the herds of robotic fish roaming the seas, this is still an innovative solution to the persistent problem of microplastics in our polluted oceans. It could one day offer an innovative way to get rid of some areas of dirt — just do not eat one if you hold it in your iron.
