By Paul Mullen
Scientists have built a robotic stingray made of muscle cells from a rat, a skeleton of gold, light activated algae proteins and plastic fins. The muscles are controlled by light through a technique known as optogenetics. Blue light causes the protein that is derived from algae and inserted into the muscle tissue to activate the muscle. According to Keith Moored of Lehigh University, rays are an ideal blueprint for the next generation of autonomous underwater vehicles as they are very efficient swimmers. Click here to read the full article.