Chinese researchers develop battery-skin for crawling microrobots

Researchers at Fudan University have created a paper-thin membrane that attaches to a crawling microrobot's footpad and generates electricity on contact with metal or silicon surfaces. In trials, the robot completed over 10,000 steps without voltage dips and later crossed the one-million-step mark using only about 2 g of aluminum.

• The 135 µm membrane acts as an open-air battery on contact with metal
• Robot ran 10,000 steps without voltage dips, then reached one million steps
• One million steps consumed about 2 g of aluminum
• Membrane withstands -20 to 80 °C and powers an LED and Bluetooth transmitter