Scientists are up with their gloves in developing a device that can power micro and nano devices by using just water or heat! And to develop this, they are taking the inspiration from nature – i.e ‘ferns’ that uses the power of evaporation to move itself.
Mimicking this biological device – i.e. how ferns spread their spores – the device is being made and it is simple. When light hits a silicone-coated wafer, it causes a pattern and the residual pattern is lifted off to be used for the device.
The pattern resembles a curved spine with equally spaced ribs fanning outward from the spine creating space in between, which are loaded with water. And, when it evaporates, the surface tension of the water pulls on the tips of the ribs, moving them toward each other, thus, straightening out the spine of the device.
This is how, with the help of water and evaporation mechanism, the closed device opens wide. Hence, it moves!
