• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Scientists create 'necrobotics' using dead spiders

Home> News

Published 09:23 9 Aug 2022 GMT+1

Scientists create 'necrobotics' using dead spiders

Dead spiders are now being used as ‘machines’ to pick up other objects

Aisha Nozari

Aisha Nozari

Hello, and welcome to your worst nightmare: dead spiders are now being used as ‘machines’ to pick up other objects.

Researchers from Rice University have turned dead wolf spiders into ‘necrobotics’, which is basically the use of living organisms (biotics) as robotic components.

Researchers hope that their work can be developed further and allow for more biotics to be used as biodegradable grippers to pick up tiny objects. Watch an explainer below:

Reporting on the paper, published in Advanced Science, Smithsonian notes that research kicked off in 2019 when scientists noticed a dead spider curled up in their lab and started wondering why arachnids tend to always die in that position. 

Faye Yap, the paper’s lead author, discovered that spiders’ limbs are controlled by a hydraulic pressure system, but when they die the ability to pressurise their bodies is lost, hence the limb-curling. 

Advert

Yap explained in a statement: “Spiders do not have antagonistic muscle pairs, like biceps and triceps in humans.

“They only have flexor muscles, which allow their legs to curl in, and they extend them outward by hydraulic pressure. When they die, they lose the ability to actively pressurise their bodies. That’s why they curl up.”

Scientists wondered why spiders curl up when they die
Scientists wondered why spiders curl up when they die

She added: “At the time, we were thinking, ‘Oh, this is super interesting.’ We wanted to find a way to leverage this mechanism.” 

Advert

It was then that the researchers decided to try and create a biotic gripper, which they did by sticking a needle into valves in spiders’ hydraulic chambers.

The next step was to create a seal with superglue and attach a syringe to the other end before puffing air through the spiders’ legs, making them extend and retract. 

Impressively, the dead spiders were able to pick up over 130 percent of their own body weight and could tough out 1,000 open-close cycles before ceasing function.

Researchers have turned dead wolf spiders into ‘necrobotics’.
Rice University

Advert

This is because dehydration eventually made the spiders’ joints brittle. However, the loss of movement was slowed when a beeswax coating was applied. 

Co-author Daniel Preston said of the research: “Despite looking like it might have come back to life, we’re certain that it’s inanimate. It’s providing us with something really useful.”

In the future, the team said the necrobotic grippers could be used to help assemble microelectronics and also collect specimens like small insects without damaging them. 

Yap told Daily Beast: “From an engineering point of view, the spider’s mechanism of movement is very interesting.

Advert

“It definitely warrants taking a closer look at these creatures, and learning more from them.”

Featured Image Credit: Preston Innovation Laboratory / Rice University

Topics: Science, Animals

Aisha Nozari
Aisha Nozari

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Scientists baffled after orcas are seen doing bizarre activity that was thought to only be done by humans
  • Scientists issue urgent health warning to anyone who eats meat
  • Scientists left baffled after discovering interstellar object hurtling towards our solar system
  • Man intentionally gets bitten by black widow spiders to 'debunk myths' and the results are surprising

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Someone who invested $7,793 into Bitcoin 14 years ago and only just accessed it is now worth a staggering amount

    After 14 years of lying dormant, two bitcoin wallets holding 10,000 bitcoin each were activated this week

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Elon Musk reveals 'two-part plan' to take control of US Congress with 'America Party'

    The Tesla boss has a new idea to shake up politics in the US

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    Expert issues urgent warning for anyone thinking about travelling whilst on Ozempic or Mounjaro

    Those on Ozempic or Mounjaro may face problems abroad if they don't declare it

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    YouTuber Nikocado Avocado shares shocking results of plastic surgery after 250lb weight loss

    Nikocado explained that following his weight loss, he sought the help of a plastic surgeon

    News