Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have created a magnetic slime robot to employ during surgery. When external magnets are used on the slime, it may be controlled by magnetic particles that are present.
Despite being hazardous, the magnetic particles may eventually be safe to utilize in the human digestive system thanks to a protective covering that is being created.
What Is Magnetic Slime Robot Made Of?
Polyvinyl alcohol-borax, a polymer, is used to make the robot. The robot is loaded with magnetic particles inside the polymer. The silicon coating is meant to make it safe for use inside a body even though magnetic particles are known to be hazardous to people.
The robot is not independent; instead, it is moved forward, rotates, or adopts the shape of an O or a C by means of outside magnets. Li Zhang, a co-author of the study that introduces the new robot, notes that the substance employed is a non-Newtonian fluid, as reported by The Guardian. It may therefore act both like a solid and like a fluid.
Is It Safe To Use
Even if the slime itself shows promise, there is still a long way to go before it can be used without harm, at least in a medical setting. Neodymium magnet particles are among the hazardous compounds that make up the magnetic slime. Therefore, before using the slime in surgeries or procedures, according to scientists, we will need to make sure they cannot seep into the body.
The magnetic slime is currently encased in a silica layer by the researchers. Sand's primary constituent, silica, should create a presumably secure barrier around it. According to one of the slime's developers, the efficiency of that layer will depend on how long you keep the slime within your body.