The damage caused by plastic pollution is spreading across the globe. Plastic pollution has become one of the biggest environmental threats to this planet. Researchers across the world are indulged in inventing solutions to this threat. Following the suit, Sichuan University scientists in China developed a robot fish to remove microplastic from the ocean. It can lift plastic objects by floating in water from one location to another.
What is Microplastic, first of all?
5 mm or smaller bits of plastic are considered microplastics. Without a magnifying glass, it is impossible to perceive them with an unaided eye due to their small size. Researchers are attempting to lessen the impact of these particles. They can be found in areas like water, food, and the earth’s surface. They access the body through them.
About Robofish:
Robofish only measures 15 mm. It floats and travels roughly 30 millimetres per second thanks to a laser light system in its tail. The fish has grown incredibly flexible as a result of the researchers’ use of this substance, according to a story by the Guardian.
Up to 5 kg of plastic can be lifted by a robot fish at once. Additionally, it takes up the microplastic debris that is floating in the water and contains organic colours, antibiotics, and heavy metals. These things cause the fish’s substance to react.
Robofish has self-healing abilities
The research participant Yuan Wang claimed that the robo fish has the ability to self-heal, or to mend its own wounds. When it is damaged, it immediately recovers up to 89 percent because of the material that was utilised to construct it. Ocean settings are notoriously unstable for robots.
How big is marine plastic pollution menace?
A study estimates that the ocean would contain 24 trillion pieces of microplastic by October 2021. Every year, the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean is thought to increase by 5 million to 13 million metric tonnes. Microplastics and plastic waste are both included. Scientists from Japan’s Kyushu University estimate that by October 2021, the ocean has roughly 2.4 trillion pieces of microplastic. All living things, including humans and insects, are at risk.