The aim of these researchers is to create the first amorphous non-silicon biological robot, plasmobot, using plasmodium, the vegetative stage of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum, a commonly occurring mold. Plasmodium respond to a variety of stimuli to move or grow in a certain direction. The type of food that is supplied can also control the output of the mold. For example, feeding the mold oat flakes cause them to grow tube-like structures. Read the story at the PhysOrg link below.
Photo Credit: PhysOrg.com and University of the West of England
… span them in the shortest and best way possible, and transport tiny objects along pre-programmed directions. The robots will have parallel inputs and outputs, a network of sensors and the number crunching power of super computers. The plasmobot will …
Scientists design first robot using mould
Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:40:16 GMT
