Scientists invent robot that climbs surfaces like Spider-Man
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Scientists invent robot that climbs surfaces like Spider-Man
A pair of researchers from Zhejiang University in China have developed a device that allows humans or robots to scale walls like the Amazing Spider-Man.
Researchers Xin Li and Kaige Shi developed a novel vaccuum suction unit capable of gripping rough, uneven surfaces. Until recently, if you wanted to suction-cup your way up a wall it'd have to be made of glass, slick marble, or some other unbroken surface. Standard vaccuum devices rely on an unbroken seal between the atmosphere and the gadget's inner-vaccuum in order to maintain suction.
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Per the duo's research paper:
Their most difficult problem is vacuum leakage, which leads to suction failure. Vacuum leakage is traditionally prevented by blocking the flow path between the atmosphere and the vacuum zone, which is difficult for a suction unit working on a rough surface.
The researchers employed what they refer to as the "ZPD method" to overcome the normal vaccuum leakage that prevents these devices from working on rough surfaces. According to their research:
The ZPD suction unit forms a rotating water layer on the periphery of