When it comes to super powerful magnets, we often think, “the bigger, the better.” However, even though it is usually the enormous magnets that are strong enough to destroy items with their magnetic force, small magnets are powerful in their own ways. For example,
small rare earth magnets help to power our phones, TVs and mobile devices. When it comes to robotics and nanotechnology, they are crucial.
Some scientists are using
nanotechnology to make rare earth magnets stronger but smaller in size, so that making the magnets requires fewer materials. These smaller magnets could help to create some of the tiniest and most fascinating robotic technologies. Currently, there are already some ground-breaking robots that magnets have helped to create.
Mini Drones
Researchers from MIT have created the smallest and perhaps, cutest drones that we’ve ever seen. At the weight of one-third of a gram and a 1.7 centimeter long size, they can easily fit into small spaces. These tiny bots can fold up like origami too, because they have small rare earth magnets built into them. Not only do the magnets help it change shape, but they help it move.
According to
Engadget two sets of magnets, a neodymium magnet inside and four electromagnetic coils, are used to power the robot’s wheels,making it walk or swim. What is even cooler about these mini drones is that when you are done using them, you can drop them in a bath of acetone, and they will dissolve completely, leaving just the neodymium magnet behind.
The researchers believe the
miniature drones could potentially be used in medicine, to operate inside the body and dissolve when they are finished.
Structure Building Micro-Robots
Manufacturing is another industry that could benefit greatly with magnetic micro robots. A nonprofit research firm,
SRI International, has created
Diamagnetic Micro Manipulation (DM3). DM3 is a process that uses magnetism to move micro-robots at fast speeds and in any direction. Dozens of micro-robots work together in unison to move, manipulate and build objects. Seeing them in action is similar to watching an army of ant robots. They could make creating high-quality macro-scale products more efficient, economical and precise.
Shape Shifting Robots
Robots may have once been thought of as rigid and inflexible, but shapeshifting is a hot trend in the robotics industry.
Shape-shifting furniture has even become a point of interest. MIT researchers have created a number of robotics that have the ability to change shapes, making them more versatile and functional. The uses for these robots are endless. For instance, some scientists have investigated the use of
magnetic materials that can change form to fit into small spaces in disaster zones.
In terms of pure magnetic force, large powerful magnets may win against small magnets. However, scientists are using small rare earth magnets in creative and innovative ways that could change life as we know it. The next time you go in for surgery, look at a building or sit in a chair, magnets and robots may be involved.
