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Tiny sensor: Experts develop the world's smallest flying object

2021-09-24T20:39:53.104Z


An ant appears huge compared to the sensors that experts have now newly developed. They want to measure air pollution with the smallest man-made flying objects.


Enlarge image

Smallest flying object in the world.

And an ant for size comparison

Photo: Northwester University

Microchips can now fly too.

But they don't need a motor for this.

The "smallest man-made flying object in the world" was developed by experts at Northwestern University in Chicago.

The inspiration for the sensors, which are smaller than an ant's head, comes from nature.

The subject is called bioelectronics.

The inspiration comes from the propeller seeds of the maple tree, which sail through the air carried by the wind.

Similar rotors with three blades provide lift for the sensors.

The “micro-planes” are roughly the size of a grain of sand and turn towards the ground like propeller seeds or helicopters, the experts report in the specialist magazine “Nature”.

Enlarge image

Photo: Northwester University

The maple aerodynamics are intended to ensure that the mini sensors descend very slowly and in a controlled manner from a great height, according to a statement from Northwestern University.

In fact, according to the information, the artificial flying seeds fall even more slowly than the natural ones.

During the long flight time, they can then collect data, for example on air quality.

Mini antennas for wireless communication and storage space for the data are also on board.

Measure particulate matter pollution

"Our goal was to equip small electronic systems with wings to measure environmental changes," says development chief John A. Rogers.

“Over billions of years, nature has developed seeds with very sophisticated aerodynamics.

We took up these design concepts. "

The flying data collectors could be dropped hundreds or thousands of times by airplanes, balloons or drones at great heights, so the idea was to use a kind of sensor network to collect information on fine dust pollution in certain regions, for example.

That would enable measurements over large areas.

In order not to pollute the environment for their part, the researchers want to use compostable materials for the mini-planes in the future.

The bioplastic rotors and sensors will then dissolve on their own.

That's probably better that way, because collecting the sensors again will be difficult with the naked eye.

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Source: spiegel

All tech articles on 2021-09-24

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