Posted on 07/22/2017 12:15:41 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Robots that mimic ivy vines can grow thousands of times their original lengths at speeds faster than the average person can run, a new study finds.
The new soft, flexible robots could one day be used in tight situations, such as to slither through rubble or snake inside the human body...
The newly developed robot is made of soft, flexible polyethylene, the most common plastic in the world. It grows from its tip via internal air pressure, which pushes plastic tubing stored at its base up through the core of its body. The robot is initially about 11 inches (28 cm) long, but can rapidly reach a maximum length of about 236 feet (72 meters), according to the researchers.
"The body doesn't move as the tip extends," Hawkes told Live Science. "That is, you could hold the body of the robot tightly in your hands, and the tip would keep growing."
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
I’ve been looking for a BBQ grill since I moved into this apartment almost four years ago, and none of them were suitable. I think I found just the right one, and the price is right, too! Believe it or not, it folds flat. It’s advertised as good for camping, and that it may be, but I like the fact that it can store flat and not take up an acre of space. The best thing is that it’s under $20! I’ll get it on payday! I can find a lot of excuses to use it, too!
Sounds great. Just don’t use it indoors!
:o])
I promise! There’s a nice big patio outside my front door, just waiting...
That white T-Shirt is as good as yours.
Focus your mind hard upon it......use the force. :)
LOL! Thanks! I’ll use my magic wand! That’s to put a mist over what I’m doing so the Muggles won’t get wise!
I got the coolest things in the mail, today!
Two well-done coloring pages, one done with crayon by a very talented young lady and the other by the young lady’s awesome mom! Really great things to brighten my Monday!
Thank you both, and give a hug to the crayon-wielder. She deserves it for sitting for so long. :o])
One of our neighbor’s stopped by the ramada this morning, reading his “come-on” from the casino down the street, and the talk got around to Adult Beverages. This guy gets “freebies” from the casinos by frequenting the slots, and he gave me two bottles of white wine and gave Charlie a bottle of honey-flavored vodka. The guy used to live in Reno, but I have no idea why he decided to move here, especially since he was being treated at the Bay Area VA Hospital.
Strange. He’s a little goofy at times, but at least he has a sense of humor! LOL!
Glad you liked the pictures. That was a major effort for Kathleen.
Enjoy your wine! Honey vodka sounds revolting.
Sean (the gift bearer) asked Charlie if he liked vodka, and Charlie answered, “yes.” But “HONEY” vodka??? ERK! I think Charlie was a little surprised, but he is too polite to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.” If he doesn’t like it, he will offer it to me. If it’s not TOO bad, I might try it. I have a fruit drink mix that is pretty good at masking obnoxious flavors. ;o]
I appreciate Kathleen’s effort and I will place it on my fridge door for at least the next week. Some kids are just antsy, and sitting to draw or color is a real challenge. Knowing this, I never miss a chance to give praise to those short people who don’t like to SIT.
The children in my family, no matter which generation, are very artistic, but finding the right medium is often a challenge. So I never say no to the efforts of a really short person!
Some of ours are artistic. Others are schlubs ;-).
I’m taking the Boy Scouts to their meeting tonight. Can also go by the bank and deposit some checks.
Sally was disappointed by how little cash she’s going to get from the dog-sitting, after deducting:
reimbursement for some food I bought earlier this week
a share for Elen (1-1/2 days)
20% service fee (goes to the Jamaica mission)
50% to school charges
Hahahaha! Real life!
Oh, my stars, Sally! Welcome to the Real World! LOL!
Some days, it goes like that! ;o]
And I think with that, I’m off to bed, very much later than I had planned to be, but on the way, nonetheless.
Thumps
Wade heard several thumps from upstairs. He looked around the room. Timmy was lying on the floor of the living room applying himself to his coloring book. It was a bit of effort for him, but not outside of his ability. At least the light pressure he was able to exert made a smooth and pleasing level of saturation to the work. Many kids pushed too hard and made garish contrasts.
Wade turned off the TV. Timmy had been making an effort to keep his clothes on for longer stretches of time. Wade presumed he was hoping the neighbor girl might stop by at any time. The mental effort to keep his surface intact and apply himself to other tasks at the same time was satisfying to see.
“Timmy, buddy, would you get your old dad a beer?”
Timmy looked up and smiled. He put down his crayon and started getting up. “Sure, Dad! Coming right up!” Walking carefully, so as to stay on the floor, Timmy moved into the kitchen without bumping into anything and knocking his clothes off.
Even brushing against the leaves of a potted plant had been enough to do it before, snagging his shirt or pants and sending them to the floor when the bubble of concentration burst.
Timmy stepped up to the refrigerator, his former nemesis. Wade had built a contraption on the side of the ‘fridge to give Timmy enough leverage to get the door open. It took about ten pounds of force to open the door against its magnets, and Timmy couldn’t pull that hard.
With the lever, Timmy was able to open the door, get a cold beer, and let the door close by itself. He was proud to be able to do things for himself, and in this case, for his Dad.
He wrapped both hands around the can of beer. It was always necessary to maximize the amount of surface area of an object he touched in order to control it. Cold though the metal was to most people, Timmy did not feel it, and he did not want to drop it.
He carried the beer carefully and proudly back to his dad, and set it gently on the table with a smile.
“Thank you, son. Now, as quickly as you can, go up and tell your brothers I want to talk with them.”
Timmy looked up, bounced on his feet, and sailed upward through the living room ceiling. His tee shirt and shorts fluttered down to land on Wade’s head.
Sighing, Wade plucked the items off his head and sat them on the arm of the chair. Then he popped the top of the beer.
So helpful, that Timmy. At least he went upstairs. When I ask a child to “go upstairs and tell your brother I’d like him to come down,” the child generally goes to the foot of the stairs and hollers.
I didn’t have any adware.
Poor Timmy. Still, he sounds like an *ahem* interesting child.
What a cute little floof this morning!
Looks like somebody painted a streak on his little nose.
And once again, it’s morning. Unngh.
Or she got in the dirt.
Good morning. I’ve been up since 4:15 or so. Young persons are not stirring, but I will get Kathleen up by 7:45 to get ready to go to Weight Watchers followed by her riding lesson. Through a quirk of the calendar, she will have another lesson on Friday!
Charlie is going on the shuttle today, so I’ll being staying in and working on quiet things. Yesterday, I did absolutely nothing besides the laundry, trying to compensate for Sunday, when all I did was cough myself into oblivion.
Washing and hanging the clothes was enough for one day.
Now I have to go comb my hair and then have that steroid to start my day.
I’ve been barking, “Let’s go! Let’s go! Sense of urgency!” at the young persons.
And with that, we are out the door. See you 12:30-ish, EDT. Good luck with the genealogies today.
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