Surface tension biomimetics need to have a transplant or repair performed. Microvelia exploit surface tension by creating a surface tension gradient that propels them forward by releasing a surfactant behind them through a tongue-like protrusion. Biomimetic engineering was used in a creative and fun way to make and edible cocktail boat that mimicked the ability of microvelia to propel themselves on the surface of water by means of a phenomenon called the marangoni effect. Burton and her colleagues used 3D printing to make small plastic boats that released different types of alcohol behind the boat to lower the surface tension and create a
Liquid metal imbalance of the surface tension induces a pressure difference between the rear and the head, which produces a thrust to drive the droplet toward the head; at the same time, the hydrogen produced in the electrochemical reaction process also further raises the thrust. The discovery of this phenomenon laid the technical foundation for the development of intelligent motors, vascular robots, fluid pumping systems, flexible actuators and even more complex liquid metal robots. Liquid metal Liquid metal consists of alloys with very low melting points which form a eutectic that is liquid at room temperature. The standard metal used to be