Tiny Drone Self-Assembles and Moves with Magnets

Jun-01-15 A tiny new drone from MIT can transform from a flat wafer-like shape to a functioning, magnet-powered drone able to run or swim.

The origami drone, which will self-assemble when subjected to heat, is powered by a neodymium magnet built into the robot and four electromagnetic coils placed beneath the bot’s operating surface. As the electromagnets magnets cycle off and on, the robot’s integrated magnet will vibrate in sync and propel the robot in the desired direction. Once the bot’s task is completed, the entire unit can be submerged in an acetone solution, leaving only the magnet behind.

The development team hopes that eventually the tiny drones could be used to carry out functions within the body before being dissolved harmlessly away.

More Info about this Invention:

[ENGADGET.COM]
[SPECTRUM.IEEE.ORG]

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