Researchers at the University of Virginia have developed HydroSpread, a groundbreaking technique to fabricate ultrathin, soft robots directly on the surface of water, paving the way for new applications in environmental monitoring and healthcare.
October 4, 2025
Source:
SciTechDaily
New Method Enables Robots to Be Built on Water
Scientists have developed a novel fabrication method that allows ultrathin, soft robots to be constructed directly on the surface of water. The technique, named HydroSpread, eliminates a critical barrier in soft robotics, where delicate devices are often damaged when transferred from rigid manufacturing substrates.
Led by Baoxing Xu at the University of Virginia, the research represents a significant advance with wide-ranging implications. "We can create high-resolution, damage-free patterns on an ultrathin film," Xu noted, highlighting the method's precision.
This innovation bypasses the need for a solid platform, using the natural properties of water to support the fabrication of highly flexible and delicate structures. The breakthrough is detailed in recent publications and has been covered by outlets like ScienceDaily and Tech Xplore.
Keep up with the story. Subscribe to the PR+ free daily newsletter
Source:
Medium
Insect-Inspired Prototypes Take Flight on Water
The core of HydroSpread involves dispensing droplets of a liquid polymer onto a water bath, where they spread into a uniform, ultrathin sheet. A laser is then used to precisely cut and shape the film into functional robotic components without physical contact.
Bio-Inspired Movement
To demonstrate the method's potential, the research team created two insect-inspired prototypes capable of moving on water:
HydroFlexor: This robot uses fin-like paddles to move across the surface.
HydroBuckler: It advances by buckling leg-like structures, similar to a water strider.
Both models are powered by infrared heating. By directing heat at specific points, the layered films bend or buckle, generating controlled and repeatable movement. This allows the robots to be steered with precision, as reported by Rocking Robots, which featured images of the devices in action.
Read More
Source:
Interesting Engineering
Share this news:
