Photo of nanocardboard plate with mock payload (IMAGE)

University of Pennsylvania

Photo of nanocardboard plate with mock payload

Caption

Nanocardboard's corrugated channels provide stiffness, but are also responsible for its ability to levitate, as creating a temperature differential generates an air current that flows through its hollow structure. A recent study allowed Penn Engineers to measure the flyers' ability to lift mock payloads (silicone rings, attached to the top of the plates) thanks to a new low-pressure test chamber with integrated cameras and light sources.

Credit

Bargatin Group, Penn Engineering

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