The problem with small robots that patrol the ocean and measure pollution and other things is their power source. Nuclear power or RTG (plutonium batteries) is a powerful tool. But those things are dangerous in the wrong hands. Things like nuclear submarines could load electricity to the photovoltaic cells of those machines by using lasers. But the problem is that navy might want to use their nuclear-powered submarines for many other purposes.
The new algae-powered soft devices can be fundamental in the research of independently operating nano- and miniature machines. One of the biggest problems with independently operating nanomachines is the power source. The system can use synthetic, lab-grown muscle cells.
They are connected to tiny electric wires. And nanotechnical microchips are not using very much energy. The problem is how to make those tiny machines operate in deep dark places.
And one of the solutions is to use bioluminescence. In that case, the miniaturized microchips get their energy from the small photovoltaic cells. They are getting light from living bioluminescence cells. And also if lab-grown neurons are connecting with the microchips. They are increasing the power of those systems. The nanotechnical microchips don't need very much energy. And the thing that requires electricity in those half-biological robots is the control system. The living cells need only nutrients.
Also, things like piezo-electric and thermo-electric crystals can give electricity to small machines. In those cases the main system gets its electricity from crystals that are stressed by using sonar signals or the heat from muscle cells can use for that thing. Living tissue can use normal nutrients.
By the way...
Bigger robots like small ball-shaped quadcopters can also patrol the ocean and use green energy. In that kind of system, the robot can use solar power. When the batteries of those systems end while the robot operates in the sea it can simply rise to the surface. And the robot can wait until the sun loads its batteries.
Then the system can send a GPS signal to a satellite that tells the communication system and command center that their robot is ready for action. The system can store data in the flash memory and send it to the command center. But there is a possibility that the system just uses a vertical tube into the ocean. And then the capillary effect puts the small generator to rotate.
https://scitechdaily.com/algae-powered-soft-devices-glow-in-the-dark-when-squished-or-stretched/
https://onlyimaginationlimitsinnovation.blogspot.com/
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