A Microfabricated Gastrobot for Sustainable On-Water Propulsion

This report presents a ‘Gastrobot’ engineered for extended self-sufficient operation in water bodies. It features microbial fuel cells (MFCs) mimicking a digestive system to convert biochemical into mechanical energy, achieving 135μW/cm power density for autonomous propulsion. The MFCs use hydrophobic/hydrophilic interfaces for nutrient intake and incorporate Bacillus subtilis spores, which germinate in nutrient-rich conditions, fueling the system and enabling motion. A central motor activates for movement, highlighting the robot’s potential as a smart sensor node within an ‘Ocean of Things’ network, advancing global aquatic surveillance and connectivity.