Americans came up with a popcorn robot

Specialists from Cornell University have come up with a robot working on popcorn. The team led by Stephen Caron developed three models with similar characteristics.

A multiple increase in popcorn in size during its heating is a well-known fact. It is this property of the product that was the basis for the operation of the new device. In recent years, robotics has made great strides, and the traditional models with numerous engines and power supply units are replaced by absurd at first glance devices. Robots working on moisture and laser radiation appeared, and now even more unusual is a robot with popcorn.

The expansion of popcorn when heated, in fact, reflects the unique property of the product - to convert thermal energy into mechanical force. In some cases, popcorn grains are increased 14 or more times, therefore, they can be used as a single,but a very powerful source of energy for the robot.

In a specially filmed video, engineers demonstrate the capabilities of each model. The first robot can lift the ball, the second one can control the loaded microwave, the third is able to compress the claw under the influence of hot steam.

Of course, popcorn is not an ideal source of energy. First, it can be used only once, and secondly, the "explosions" of the grains going to energy cannot be controlled. However, biological energy conversion technologies themselves have a great future, because, in addition to the obvious cheapness of the process, they allow for the complete decomposition of biomaterials.