Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Magic Bots: Vine-Inspired Robots Can Grow on Demand
livescience.com ^ | July 21, 2017 03:08pm ET | Charles Q. Choi

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 ...


TOPICS: Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: koalaoil; molassesmiasma; monkeyfacerules; penguinhumor
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 1,401-1,4201,421-1,4401,441-1,460 ... 5,341-5,357 next last
To: Monkey Face

Ah, government complexities. I’d avoid the smokers, too, even if I were sure the food was safe.


1,421 posted on 09/10/2017 5:40:29 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("Freedom is freedom, and not another thing."~Theodore Dalrymple)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1420 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

I would end up wearing a mask and that isn’t fun when someone is trying to eat or have a decent conversation. So it’s better I don’t go. Zeke wants me there, but I have to think of me, this time.


1,422 posted on 09/10/2017 5:58:25 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining. ~ Teddy Roosevelt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1421 | View Replies]

To: Monkey Face
I have to think of me, this time.

I agree. Zeke will be fine without you, or he can do something else.

1,423 posted on 09/10/2017 6:00:36 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("Freedom is freedom, and not another thing."~Theodore Dalrymple)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1422 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

Of all the people he listed (maybe 12-14) only two were not smokers. As still as the weather has been, that’s not a good thing. It means the smoke would hover. Or, to quote an old adage, “smoke follows beauty,” and it has always followed me!


1,424 posted on 09/10/2017 6:19:29 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining. ~ Teddy Roosevelt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1423 | View Replies]

To: Monkey Face

I hope you’re having a good night. I spent the day catching up on things I needed to do for all my groups, committees, and miscellaneous commitments. The group returned from Myrtle Beach intact, with wash to be done.

Tomorrow is another Monday!


1,425 posted on 09/10/2017 5:33:28 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("Freedom is freedom, and not another thing."~Theodore Dalrymple)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1424 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

Looks like you’ll be getting some rain..


1,426 posted on 09/11/2017 1:05:13 AM PDT by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1425 | View Replies]

To: NoCmpromiz; Tax-chick; Silentgypsy

Forecast is Blgthrgths with a chance of Xagthrath.


1,427 posted on 09/11/2017 1:23:00 AM PDT by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1426 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick; fanfan; ColdOne; Cyber Liberty; null and void; Anoreth; Monkey Face; ...

1,428 posted on 09/11/2017 2:14:42 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("Freedom is freedom, and not another thing."~Theodore Dalrymple)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1425 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

What beautiful little floofy faces!

I did have a good night; so good in fact that I never heard the call from Grandson #4 (Macaroni, is what he calls himself) and text from him, thanking the G-Ma for his New Favorite Tie and tie tack.

They had a birthday party for him on Saturday, so he opened all his presents then, so he was able to wear his tie to church. I don’t know how I came onto the idea of a tie and tack for every second year birthday beginning at 12, but it seems to be a real winner for Grandsons #3 and #4.

I’m glad you got caught up on stuff. Some days, we just need to do that.

And now, I need to sort clothes for the trip up to the laundromat.


1,429 posted on 09/11/2017 3:41:13 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining. ~ Teddy Roosevelt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1428 | View Replies]

To: Monkey Face

Best wishes on the laundry! I need to go to Walmart this morning, before the forecast heavy rain sets in. We will also get the storage boxes out of my closet and find some warmer clothing for the Offspring.


1,430 posted on 09/11/2017 5:02:53 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("Freedom is freedom, and not another thing."~Theodore Dalrymple)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1429 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

Mawnin’. Time for coffee.

Looks like my Orlando brother made the right decision to ride things out.


1,431 posted on 09/11/2017 5:07:32 AM PDT by ArGee (What do you do when psychosis is not just acceptable but legally mandated?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1428 | View Replies]

To: Monkey Face

I got ties for my birthday. I think Mrs. ArGee likes refreshing my wardrobe.

I just wish she could do it without involving me.


1,432 posted on 09/11/2017 5:08:27 AM PDT by ArGee (What do you do when psychosis is not just acceptable but legally mandated?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1429 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick; Monkey Face
Best wishes on the laundry!

So, our laundry room uses some new-fangled chip card to pay. You put your money on the card in one machine then use it to pay for laundry in the others. As of last Tuesday the money machine is offline, meaning we can't put money on the cards. Verizon needs to fix it, which means the high-priority service call will be handled next Monday. Fortunately, I was able to call the magic card company and find some other locations nearby that use the service. A resident in one of those buildings was willing to let me in their laundry room to put money on our card. (You'd think a company would treat not being able to accept money as an emergency.)

1,433 posted on 09/11/2017 5:11:42 AM PDT by ArGee (What do you do when psychosis is not just acceptable but legally mandated?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1430 | View Replies]

To: ArGee; Monkey Face
(You'd think a company would treat not being able to accept money as an emergency.)

I often say that when I'm in a store and can't find anyone to take my payment. I think 'Face's laundromat has the same system.

My mother is north of Orlando. She said they didn't even lose power. Their biggest issue will be cleaning up all the stuff that fell from the palm trees.

1,434 posted on 09/11/2017 5:14:41 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("Freedom is freedom, and not another thing."~Theodore Dalrymple)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1433 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick; ArGee

The laundry was done without incident. However, I put the laundry stuff in a newer tote with a zipper top and forgot to add the pencils I use for the puzzles I work while I’m waiting. None in the laundry tote, none in my purse where I always carry a small puzzle book for the times I have to wait for an appointment person to be ready, even though I’m on time, and none in the glove department where I also have a puzzle book. ARRRRGHHH! I had to use a PEN!!! Only an optimist uses a pen to work a crossword puzzle. ;o]

Other than that small glitch, everything was fine. I was alone again until my washers were almost done and then some guy came in. I expressed my wishes that he have a good day, and he mumbled something that was totally unintelligible. Maybe something like, “Get lost.”

So. Now, I’m waiting for the pain pill to work so I can start hanging the clothes to dry.

I was going to go to Wally’s but even at 0600, the crowds have grown to the point that folks driving behind me on their ways to work don’t like that I manually shift gears. :o])


1,435 posted on 09/11/2017 6:04:18 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining. ~ Teddy Roosevelt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1430 | View Replies]

To: ArGee

Good news about your brother! I would have coffee but the pot needs to be washed. And then I will probably put it on freecycle.com because I don’t want to take it with me. I may re-think that. I just recalled that when my BiL comes to visit, he likes coffee, so maybe I’d better keep it...


1,436 posted on 09/11/2017 6:07:02 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining. ~ Teddy Roosevelt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1431 | View Replies]

To: ArGee

These boys go to church every Sunday so they need ties. Yes, they do dress up with white shirts and dress pants. The oldest one is coming home from his mission the first week of October. But I still send him ties!


1,437 posted on 09/11/2017 6:11:32 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining. ~ Teddy Roosevelt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1432 | View Replies]

To: ArGee

This laundromat uses the debit cards, too and has a change machine to change $10s and $20s into $5s. It has two card machines, and at least one is up all the time. The owners just raised the prices on the machines, both washers and dryers, but my income still isn’t going up. :o|

The doors open automatically at 0500, but they have been known to stay locked due to an “electronical” glitch.


1,438 posted on 09/11/2017 6:14:55 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining. ~ Teddy Roosevelt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1433 | View Replies]

To: Monkey Face

Congrats on laundry! I found some warm clothes for everyone, although James is still claiming he has no warm pajamas. Might be true: I seem to recall his pants being 12” too short by the time we put them away.


1,439 posted on 09/11/2017 6:19:38 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("Freedom is freedom, and not another thing."~Theodore Dalrymple)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1435 | View Replies]

To: Monkey Face; Tax-chick; ArGee
"Only an optimist uses a pen to work a crossword puzzle."

I don't use anything else. Crossword puzzles are an exercise in memory after all.

But then, I am an optimist, aren't I?

1,440 posted on 09/11/2017 7:22:44 AM PDT by NicknamedBob (If you can't do something well, you won't do anything good.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1435 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 1,401-1,4201,421-1,4401,441-1,460 ... 5,341-5,357 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson