A group of young scientists in China are developing an innovative solution to monitor and protect fragile coral reef ecosystems - a biomimetic robot designed to mimic a manta ray.
About 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered by oceans. Coral reefs, often called "underwater tropical rainforests," are crucial to marine ecosystems in maintaining ecological balance, but they face numerous threats.
Traditional methods of observation using propeller-driven underwater vehicles can potentially damage these delicate environments, the developer of the bionic fish robot told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
The biomimetic manta ray project represents a promising intersection of robotics, marine biology, and conservation efforts. By leveraging biomimetic technology, researchers hope to provide a less invasive method for studying and protecting coral reefs.
"Coral reefs are fragile and sensitive. The way we observe and protect coral reefs is very important. If we use a traditional propeller-driven underwater vehicle to observe them, it can significantly impact or even damage the coral reefs and the coral reef ecosystem," said Qu Yilin, a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern Polytechnical University.
The team chose to model their robot after a manta ray due to its superior maneuverability in water.
"In developing this biomimetic fish, we studied many different species. Each has its distinctive features. A manta ray can swim forwards and backwards, execute tight turns, dive, and even perform backflips. Overall, with its stability and flexibility, it was the best of all the subjects we studied," Qu said.
Analyzing the problems of biomimetic submersibles required Qu and his team to create a new theoretical framework.
Despite these challenges, Qu and his team are optimistic about their work, as they are fortunate to be living in an era with such excellent research tools, and so many new directions for the research.
Although coral reefs make up less than one percent of the ocean floor, they support about 25 percent of all marine species.
Researchers create biomimetic manta ray to help protect coral reef
A young Northern Irish student has shared the stories of her deep connection to Chinese culture during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, which landed on Tuesday, highlighting the global reach of the many celebrated Chinese traditions.
In the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Kiva, a second-year economics student at Ulster University, had been busy preparing various activities to celebrate the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.
One of her top priorities was heading out shopping to buy some mooncakes, which are seen as the most representative specialty food of the festival which centers around family reunions and appreciating the full moon.
"So these are our eight delicious-looking mooncakes. They are beautiful. They're very tiny, keeping you fit," said Kiva, as she proudly showed off the box of her newly-purchased mooncakes.
After wandering around a local Chinese supermarket, she excitedly recounted her journey of learning Chinese and her fascination with the country's rich traditions.
"The most intriguing part for me was the calligraphy. It was definitely the characters. I really, really did love the characters. It was just very, very interesting to see, and to see that and see it made into an art form as well, where calligraphy is used as like a cultural aspect. It was just very, very beautiful and I wish that everybody had more interest in it, and wasn't really put off by how difficult it was," she said.
The difficulty of learning the language did not stop her love of Chinese characters. In her eyes, each character is vibrant and full of life, and she singled out the characters for "flower" and "love" as being her two favorites, saying that their complexity is what makes them beautiful.
Earlier this year, Kiva joined a university-organized trip to China, and was deeply struck by the stark contrasts between the bustling modernity of Beijing and the deep-rooted traditions of the central Hubei Province. However, the highlight of her whole trip was visiting the Great Wall, an experience she had long dreamed of.
"Going to The Great Wall was actually one of the things that I really wanted to do because none of my parents had ever been to China, so it was one of their things that they wanted to do as well, they wanted to see The Great Wall. So I think in the afternoon in China it's like 2 or 3 a.m. here, and I called my dad at at 2 or 3 a.m. in the morning, just because I wanted to show him The Great Wall," said Kiva.
Flipping through old photos, Kiva recalled her first connection with China as a child, when her mother bought her a traditional Chinese qipao gown during a shopping trip. During her recent visit to China, she also sought out another traditional outfit to wear and posed for a photograph to capture the moment.
"I think it's just one of those parts of the culture that you are just not going to get in any other part, like you can always do calligraphy anywhere else, right? You can always learn the language somewhere else, but having the opportunity to try on the traditional dress, when it means so much to the culture and it's people I think is very, very important to me especially," she said.
Northern Irish student shares love of Chinese culture during Mid-Autumn Festival
