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

5,321 posted on 02/12/2018 2:44:18 AM PST by Tax-chick (Harvey Weinstein was married to a beautiful model.)
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To: Tax-chick

I use yellow mustard for potato salad, once in a while for corn dogs, but seldom ever hot dogs. The latter are embellished with sweet relish and German mustard or Dijon.

It’s difficult for me to eat rice (except in pudding) without soy sauce, but I’m sure if I was really very hungry, I would eat what I could get, soy sauce or no.

CFIDS has ruined what any social life I might have, so I get my enjoyment where I can — with food, books and computers. And movies, if they weren’t all packed...;o]


5,322 posted on 02/12/2018 3:15:10 AM PST by Monkey Face (It's probably my age that tricks people into thinking I'm an adult. ~~ FB ~~)
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To: Tax-chick

Oh, da FLOOF! It’s squeeful!

What a pretty little kitteh!


5,323 posted on 02/12/2018 3:16:46 AM PST by Monkey Face (It's probably my age that tricks people into thinking I'm an adult. ~~ FB ~~)
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To: Monkey Face

According to the poster, she’ll jump up on the counter or table and knock everything off.


5,324 posted on 02/12/2018 3:19:42 AM PST by Tax-chick (Harvey Weinstein was married to a beautiful model.)
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To: Tax-chick

But...but...that’s what kittehs DO! In between sleeps, anyway.


5,325 posted on 02/12/2018 3:48:38 AM PST by Monkey Face (It's probably my age that tricks people into thinking I'm an adult. ~~ FB ~~)
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To: Tax-chick

5,326 posted on 02/12/2018 4:29:04 AM PST by Covenantor (Men are ruled...by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern. " Chesterton)
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To: Covenantor

Awwwww.

“Where’d this come from?” says her expression.


5,327 posted on 02/12/2018 4:31:46 AM PST by Tax-chick (Harvey Weinstein was married to a beautiful model.)
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To: Tax-chick

‘Scuz me, hooman. You actually think I carez bout your scuse for the food bowl being empty? Iz fascinating way you tink.


5,328 posted on 02/12/2018 6:53:26 AM PST by ArGee (It's not life's trials, it's the idiots.)
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To: ArGee

Why do we imagine they like us?


5,329 posted on 02/12/2018 7:23:29 AM PST by Tax-chick (Harvey Weinstein was married to a beautiful model.)
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To: Tax-chick
Why do we imagine they like us?

To help explain our liking them.

I have to admit, my approach to cats goes a little more like that expressed in "An Unfinished Life."

Griff Gilkyson: What are their names?

Einar Gilkyson: Who?

Griff Gilkyson: Your cats.

Einar Gilkyson: They don't have any names.

Griff Gilkyson: [frown] How do you tell 'em apart?

Einar Gilkyson: I don't tell 'em apart.

5,330 posted on 02/12/2018 7:59:36 AM PST by ArGee (It's not life's trials, it's the idiots.)
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To: ArGee

Heh, good one.


5,331 posted on 02/12/2018 8:00:41 AM PST by Tax-chick (Harvey Weinstein was married to a beautiful model.)
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To: Covenantor; Tax-chick

That looks like my long-ago kitteh Oddball, except Oddball was a him. Although I understand that neutered male cats make excellent surrogate mothers. <3

This has been the Monday from Heck.

I finally took some time and just zoned out, searching for a denim backpack that had all the pockets I need, with no luck at all. When I came in from talking with Charlie in the wind, I continued the search.

The ones I liked that had all the pockets in all the right places were $85-$300 and there is NO WAY! So I refined my search to backpack patterns. Success!! For $4 + free shipping! Once it gets here (by Friday, if the ad is correct) I’ll start searching (online) for denim. MAYBE I can even get something pinned for cutting before I move.

None of the calls I tried to make today were successful, the only soy sauce I could find at Wally’s was the industrial sized bottle, and I spent 75¢ on the lock to the bathroom at the laundromat because the door wouldn’t open. That was 50¢ more than it should have cost.

I was going to make some stew to share with Charlie, but I had to beg off for one more day. I was at the laundromat way too long, and the Wally’s trip had me standing checking out the Asian Food shelves, and I just now tried to make the bed.

Anyway, the bed has to be made soon, but the stew will wait until tomorrow.

(My question is: Does any of this make sense?)


5,332 posted on 02/12/2018 11:45:07 AM PST by Monkey Face (It's probably my age that tricks people into thinking I'm an adult. ~~ FB ~~)
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To: Monkey Face
You must have read one of my FB post conversations.

Well, I do sometimes, but I didn't see that one.

I happen to like Rap in Blue (which is totally unlike present day rap and its blue language). And I happen to play single reeds so the clarinets caught my interest.

Of course it has been years since I put my ancient wood-clarinet-that-I-couldn't-afford-if-I-had-to-buy-it-now together. I'm sure it would need a total pad replacement. I'm not even sure I have any viable reeds..

Last time I played Rhapsody In Blue I was playing it on Bari Sax..

5,333 posted on 02/12/2018 12:01:55 PM PST by NoCmpromiz (John 14:6 is a non-pluralistic comment.)
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To: Monkey Face

I understood.


5,334 posted on 02/12/2018 12:52:49 PM PST by Tax-chick (Harvey Weinstein was married to a beautiful model.)
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To: NoCmpromiz

Oh. Wellden. The FB post(s) in question had to do with a great nephew, who is now the only child of eight who is still at home with my niece and her husband. This 14 year-old kid has suddenly found the Gershwins, and the Rhapsody In Blue was one of his favorites, evidently planning to learn to play it. (I have no idea how advanced he is at the piano, but I say, “GOferit!”)

I had never heard a woodwind quartet, much less, one with such talent. And after all that, I hope your clarinet isn’t too difficult to resurrect. :o]


5,335 posted on 02/12/2018 1:37:03 PM PST by Monkey Face (It's probably my age that tricks people into thinking I'm an adult. ~~ FB ~~)
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To: Tax-chick
I understood.

Some days, I just can't seem to get my chips together, and Mondays are not especially good days, ever.

I was happy to find the pattern, and that I had enough left to order it, but I will take time to locate the denim. It may be that JoAnn's has a remnant, but most stores don't seem to have much of a remnant bin, these days.

The bed is finally made and I'm anxious to crawl into it, but that's going to be delayed for a bit, since I'm waiting for a call from the retaliatory property manager. (Who most likely will ignore my request for a return call, but which will not result in me liking him. Ever. There was an incident here, in my apartment, and I'm not going to let it slide.)

5,336 posted on 02/12/2018 1:45:30 PM PST by Monkey Face (It's probably my age that tricks people into thinking I'm an adult. ~~ FB ~~)
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To: Monkey Face

We have the crazies here, too. I’m going to drive everyone to church in about 15 minutes, but then Elen and DP are going to run my Cub Scout meetings while I go to sing a funeral.


5,337 posted on 02/12/2018 1:53:44 PM PST by Tax-chick (Harvey Weinstein was married to a beautiful model.)
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To: Tax-chick

Tomorrow, then...


5,338 posted on 02/12/2018 3:13:45 PM PST by Monkey Face (It's probably my age that tricks people into thinking I'm an adult. ~~ FB ~~)
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To: Monkey Face

Web site says someone now has a robot that can open doors.

What I want to know is, do they have one that can fry up a rasher of bacon?

I mean, there’s progress and then there’s *progress*.


5,339 posted on 02/12/2018 4:50:07 PM PST by ArGee (It's not life's trials, it's the idiots.)
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To: Monkey Face; fanfan; ColdOne; Cyber Liberty; null and void; Tax-chick; Anoreth; ...

5,340 posted on 02/13/2018 2:17:24 AM PST by Tax-chick (Harvey Weinstein was married to a beautiful model.)
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