CUHK magnetic slime robot
by Canyon Owen: Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong introduced a soft robot in 2022 that uses magnetic slime to grab swallowed objects without surgery. An external magnet controls the device, making the slime stretch, squish, or form circles and rings. Toxic magnetic particles are encased in silicone for safety inside the human body, but more testing is required before this technology is considered safe. The team aims for children who accidentally ingest small batteries or sharp items to benefit from the device. #HongKong #Science
Transcript (en)
This robot could help remove swallowed objects without surgery. Researchers in China developed this robot, called a slime robot, by mixing magnetic particles into slime. An external magnet can control the robot, move the magnet, and the slime follows, stretching, squishing, or even changing into different shapes like circles or rings. This could someday help people, especially children, who accidentally swallow something like a small battery or a sharp object. Yeah.
