Snail-inspired robot could scoop ocean microplastics

Inspired by a small and slow snail, scientists at Cornell have developed a robot protype that may one day scoop up microplastics from the surfaces of oceans, seas and lakes. The robot’s design is based on the Hawaiian apple snail (Pomacea canaliculate), a large, common aquarium snail that uses the undulating motion of its foot to drive water surface flow and suck in floating food particles.