Liquid Robotics: Smart Fluid Systems: The Advent of Autonomous Liquid Robotics (Adv. Sci. 7/2017)

Colloidal device in the liquid state, kept in a fixed volume by surface tension or by a confining membrane that protects them from a harsh environment, could be used as biologically inspired autonomous robotic systems with unique capabilities: they could change shape according to a specific exogenous command or by means of a fully integrated adaptive system, and provide an innovative solution for many future applications, such as space exploration in extreme or otherwise challenging environments. A. Chiolerio and M. A. Quadrelli provide an overview of this topic in Progress Report 1700036.