Robots Walk on Water as Chemists Grow Diamonds with Electron Beams

Robots Walk on Water as Chemists Grow Diamonds with Electron Beams
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Scientists have unveiled two breakthroughs pushing the boundaries of materials science and engineering, according to recent articles published on SciTechDaily.com.

At the University of Virginia, engineers created ultrathin soft robots using a method called HydroSpread, which builds film devices directly on water. The process avoids damage from surface transfers and enables precise shaping with lasers. Demonstrators included a paddling robot and another that “walks” on water by buckling its legs, showing promise for applications in sensing, environmental monitoring, and wearable tech.

In a separate advance, chemists at the University of Tokyo used an electron beam to convert adamantane molecules into flawless nanodiamonds. Unlike traditional methods requiring extreme heat and pressure, the low-energy process allows researchers to watch diamond growth in real time, opening possibilities for quantum materials and nanoscale sensors.

Both breakthroughs highlight how innovative fabrication can create devices and materials once thought unattainable.