Robo-jellies and Science

Robotic jellyfish could one day patrol oceans, clean oil spills, and detect pollutants

This article brings up the question, "What were they doing when they came up with this idea?" Yet it remains a novel idea.  A discussion topic could be: What new products could be spun off from Jelly propulsion?  New ways to travel in water, could these jellies be programmed to retrieve invasive species like the Lionfish from coral reefs, what are the possibilities? Enjoy the article see where the discussion takes you.

http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2012/05/052912-engineering-robojelly.html

Who came up with the idea for robotic jellyfish?

U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center and the Office of Naval Research

What could the scientific use of the Robojelly be?

Study aquatic life, map ocean floors, monitor ocean currents, monitor water quality, detecting ocean pollutants or monitor sharks

What fuel is planned to be used to propel the small Robojelly?  What about the large ones?

Hydrogen.  Batteries.

What is the main focus of the Robojelly program?

Understand the fundamentals of propulsion mechanisms utilized by nature.

What is the size range of jellyfish being engineered in this article?

From the size of a human hand to 5 foot in diameter.