This tiny robot was inspired by coral polyps and developed by researchers in The Netherlands as reported in TechBriefs of Motion Design magazine. These mini robots are 1 cm x 1 cm and are “made of responsive polymers, that move under the influence of light and magnetism.” The little guys can be triggered by light or heat to “grab” very small molecules (i.e. contaminants). The theory being that clouds of these could be used to filter contaminants out of the water by catching them in their tentacles.
