Researchers from Caltech and Stanford University are looking at ways to utilize jellyfish to bolster deep-exploration efforts. The researchers published a paper to a journal, named 'Science Advances,' which outlines the process. The researchers created a small microelectronics prosthetic that can be attached to jellyfish. The prosthetic sends an electric signal which causes the jellyfish to pulse at a rate three times faster than normal, which allows the jellyfish to swim at a faster pace. The prosthetic also allows the animal to swim more efficiently.
The researchers will now look at ways to entice the jellyfish to swim in certain ways that will help deep-sea exploration. John Dabiri, from Caltech, spoke about the future of the project, "If we can find a way to direct these jellyfish and also equip them with sensors to track things like ocean temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, and so on, we could create a truly global ocean network where each of the jellyfish robots costs a few dollars to instrument and feeds themselves energy from prey already in the ocean."
Ocean Exploration Prosthetic Devices
Researchers Will Be Using Jellyfish for Deep-Sea Exploration
Trend Themes
1. Jellyfish Prosthetic Devices - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing prosthetic devices that can be attached to jellyfish to enhance their swimming capabilities and enable deep-sea exploration.
2. Ocean Sensor Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Equipping jellyfish with sensors to track ocean conditions such as temperature, salinity, and oxygen levels to create a global ocean network for data collection.
3. Microelectronics Prosthetics - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advancing the technology of microelectronics prosthetics to create miniature devices that can be attached to marine animals and enhance their natural abilities.
Industry Implications
1. Biomedical Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Applying biomedical technology expertise to develop prosthetic devices that can be attached to marine animals for scientific research and exploration purposes.
2. Deep-sea Exploration - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leveraging the potential of jellyfish and other marine animals equipped with prosthetics to revolutionize deep-sea exploration and data collection.
3. Environmental Monitoring - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating sensor technology with marine animal prosthetics to improve environmental monitoring and gain valuable insights into the state of our oceans.