Researchers at Cornell University are trying to develop robots that look and move more like living organisms. This is done by integrating energy storage directly into their structures. Thus they are called “embodied energy,” this makes robots more efficient and lighter and give an organic look to the robot.
The jellyfish robot has unique blood pumping mechanism called a redox flow battery (RFB) which is integrated into the the jellyfish body, these built-in batteries allow the robot to move and stay in the water for extended periods of time while using less energy. The jellyfish robot is inspired by the previous idea of robot blood from 2019, which is a hydraulic fluid that powers its movements.
They store their energy in redox flow batteries (RFB), and then release through chemical reduction and oxidation reactions (redox reactions). In simple terms, the battery contains special electrolytic fluids that transfer energy as they flow through the system, similar to how blood carries oxygen and nutrients in living organisms. Showing a beautiful blend of chemistry and robotics in action. The jellyfish can operate for about 90 minutes per charge and have graphene coating to prevent zinc dendrites buildup along with bromine added to improve the ion transport increasing the battery capacity and power density.
These jellyfish robots can be a great asset for ocean exploration. With its up and down diving, it will be easy to collect and send data during the sea exploration. The researchers plan to integrate these technologies into their robots possibly with lithium batteries and skeletal structures that will expand the possibilities of usage. This might be my next step towards creating more natural looking robots in the future.
