Like humans, robots could also start to decompose once their lives end. This is the goal of the new technology being developed by scientists at the Italian Institute of Technology who want to produce a biodegradable material that will not just mimic the human body, but also ensure that the process of building robots will have as little environmental footprints as possible.
The current robotic technologies include the manufacture of plastic and metal parts, which are difficult to dispose once the robot's lifespan is exhausted. The scientists aim to achieve their goal by merging separate distinct materials at the nano level that will create several byproducts that have biodegradable characteristics.
"What we are doing apart from making these new composite materials - smart materials - we're also using them to change the properties of other materials, other existing materials like paper or cotton or different foams; from synthetic foams like polyurethane or forms of cotton," Athanassia Athanassiou, lead scientist of the the Smart Materials Group at the Italian Institute of Technology, told Reuters. "So like this, in all these existing materials we are giving new properties that these materials don't have so we can open up their application range."
The group of scientists ultimately seeks to produce a "bioplastic" that could be made from food waste and plant materials. They are also looking at ensuring that the process is as sustainable as the material used to make it ultra eco-friendly.
A decomposing robot has several practical benefits. It can allow for the production of lighter and more efficient robotic machines, according to Popular Science. "Once a biodegradable robot has reached the end of its mission, for example having performed some environmental cleanup activity following an oil spill, it will decompose into harmless material," Dr. Jonathan Rossiter from the University of Bristol, also added.
