Octopods, such as octopuses and squids, are considered to be the most intelligent invertebrates. Their ability to flee fast when in danger by swimming head first inspired researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute to develop a silent propulsion system for boats and water sport devices. The system can be produced at a low cost and in… »

Currently, nuclear powerplant inspectors use indirect methods to monitor buried piping by generating a voltage gradient to identify areas where pipe coatings may have corroded, and by using ultrasonic waves to screen lengths of pipe for cracks. A team of researchers from MIT is developing small, egg-sized robots designed to inspect nuclear reactor underground pipes… »