A self-powered robotic bug capable of skimming across water and gathering environmental data has been developed by a team of researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York.

The new aquatic robot reportedly relies on bacteria-powered biobatteries, the team explained, and a Janus interface — which is hydrophilic on one side and hydrophobic on the other side — that allows nutrients from the water in and keeps them inside the device to fuel bacterial spore production.

Source: Binghamton University

"When the environment is favorable for the bacteria, they become vegetative cells and generate power," the team added, "but when the conditions are not favorable — for example, it's really cold or the nutrients are not available — they go back to spores. In that way, we can extend the operational life."

The team reported that they achieved power generation close to 1 mW — enough to potentially power the robot's mechanical movement as well as the sensors for tracking environmental data like water temperature, pollution levels, the paths of commercial vessels and aircraft and the behaviors of aquatic animals.

The water-skimming robot is detailed in the article “Revolutionizing Aquatic Robotics: Advanced Biomimetic Strategies for Self‐Powered Mobility Across Water Surfaces,” which appears in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies.