Putting trackers on household pets often leads to interesting results; while owners can keep track of their pet’s whereabouts, they can also get a glimpse of where they explore when they’re not looking. What if we applied that to animals we’re never around? Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, led by Nicole Xu, are trying to do exactly that with “cyborg jellyfish“. These energy-efficient prehistoric animals might be the key to understanding the deep sea and developing next-gen underwater vehicles. Researchers can even steer them to hardly-accessible masses of water by stimulating muscle contractions.
Below water
Moon jellyfish are a species of jellyfish that can live in surprisingly different habitats. You most often find them near coastlines, but they are also capable of reaching the deep sea. This makes them the perfect animals for researchers to explore these depths. Xu envisions several microelectronic devices that act as sensors in the jellyfish to collect data about the environment in the deep sea. Recently, scientists ran small-scale tests on the biohybrid jellyfish, measuring the muscle excitations and even had one deployed in coastal waters to prove the concept.
With the success of the test, Xu and her colleagues are looking to expand the use of the research. The study also involves testing how water flows near jellyfish by deploying biodegradable particles that can be visible when using lasers. The research will also contribute to the improvement of marine vehicles.
Ethical considerations
It was once believed that jellyfish don’t feel pain as they lack nociceptors, the pain-stimulating receptors. However, more recent research suggests they do, as they start producing more mucus than normal and stop reproducing under stress. Xu and her team took this into consideration as they equipped the moon jellyfish and watched for signs of stress, but there was no visible change in its behavior.
If this kind of technology continues to be applied ethically, this could change what we know about our oceans. Just like trackers can reveal hidden parts of the lives of our cats and dogs, this technology is more about learning through the eyes of the jellyfish instead of using them as our cameras.
YouTube: Cyborg Jellyfish with Nicole Xu
By clicking play, you agree to YouTube's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Data may be shared with YouTube/Google.
Photo credit: The featured image is symbolic and has been taken by Wolfgang Hasselmann.
Sources: Amber Carlson (University of Colorado Boulder) / Nicole Xu, et al. (IOP Science)
