These Squishy Batteries Are Made Out of Water, Here’s How They Work
Electric eels and origami inspired scientists to create a soft battery that could revolutionize soft robotics. Here's what you need to know. This New 'Perfect' Battery Has Experts Stumped...
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We humans are soft and squishy, and don’t like electricity. Robots are hard and pointy, and they love it. So how do we make a robot that’s soft and squishy like living things, but still gets power? Hydrogels of course. Hard, metal robots are so 20th century. “Soft-robotics” is hip. Just like me. Soft-robotics involves making technology that is similar to biological material, like we often find in nature and within ourselves. We want things kind of like us; soft, durable, waterproof. And hydrogels cover all the bases. But there’s something still holding soft robots back from taking over the squishy parts of the world ... Batteries. Except, electricity and water don’t mix. Unless you’re one, very specialized animal… The Electrophorus elect...
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We humans are soft and squishy, and don’t like electricity. Robots are hard and pointy, and they love it. So how do we make a robot that’s soft and squishy like living things, but still gets power? Hydrogels of course. Hard, metal robots are so 20th century. “Soft-robotics” is hip. Just like me. Soft-robotics involves making technology that is similar to biological material, like we often find in nature and within ourselves. We want things kind of like us; soft, durable, waterproof. And hydrogels cover all the bases. But there’s something still holding soft robots back from taking over the squishy parts of the world ... Batteries. Except, electricity and water don’t mix. Unless you’re one, very specialized animal… The Electrophorus elect...
