Researchers have developed robotic wings that mimic the movement of butterfly wings using only magnetic fields, with no need for batteries or electronics.
Inspired by the endurance and efficiency of monarch butterflies, this innovation could transform environmental monitoring, disaster rescue, and even medical technology.
Monarch butterflies are known for their incredible long-distance migrations, traveling thousands of kilometers between Canada and Mexico.
Their wings, which combine active movement with passive bending, allow them to fly in an energy-efficient way.
These unique qualities inspired a team of researchers from the Technical University of Darmstadt and the Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf to create magnetic robotic wings.
Led by Professor Oliver Gutfleisch and Dr. Denys Makarov, the team used flexible plastic embedded with tiny magnetic particles to build the wings. When exposed to an external magnetic field, the particles move, causing the wings to bend and mimic butterfly flight.
The process of creating these wings was challenging. Researchers tested 12 different designs using 3D printing, some of which included vein structures similar to those found in butterfly wings.
Their goal was to discover how these patterns affected the wings’ flexibility and efficiency.
The results, published in Advanced Intelligent Systems, showed that larger wings with vein-like patterns were more adaptable and easier to bend.
“The biggest challenge was printing ultra-thin, flexible structures that could also withstand stress,” said Kilian Schäfer, one of the lead authors of the study.
These magnetic wings have a wide range of potential uses. In environmental research, “winged” robots could monitor pollinator populations or measure air quality. In disaster situations, their small, energy-efficient design would allow them to navigate dangerous areas to search for survivors.
The technology could also have medical applications. Lightweight robots with precise, controllable movements could assist in minimally invasive surgeries, particularly for delicate tissues. The principles behind these magnetic wings could even lead to the development of artificial muscles or smart materials that change shape on demand.
Currently, the wings require an external magnetic field to move. However, future advancements might integrate tiny magnetic field generators to allow autonomous movement. “We plan to explore how modifications to magnetic fields can enable more complex movements and control,” explained Muhammad Bilal Khan, another lead author.
This breakthrough in bio-inspired robotics opens the door to innovative solutions across multiple fields, all inspired by the flight of the monarch butterfly.
Source: KSR.
