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Mollusca Inspired Microplastic Removal Robot
Summary
This engineering project designed and prototyped a solar-powered, mollusk-inspired robot capable of collecting microplastics from lake surfaces using remote control. The design incorporated sustainable energy and efficient skimming mechanisms inspired by filter-feeding mollusks, offering a more sustainable alternative to current plastic removal technologies that focus primarily on larger debris.
Microplastics are harmful to the environment and humans but are difficult to collect. Current plastic removal processes focus on collecting larger plastic pollution, while existing microplastic solutions are not sustainable or highly effective. We were tasked with designing and prototyping a sustainably-powered, mollusk-inspired robot that will be able to efficiently draw in and collect microplastics from a lake's surface and is remote-controllable. Additionally, we will simulate how the full-scale robot will operate to optimize its collection and storage mechanisms.