Traditionally, robots have been hard, made of metal and other hard material. But a team of scientists at Harvard University in the US has managed to build an entirely soft robot — one that draws inspiration (灵感) from an octopus (章鱼)．
Described in science journal Nature, the "Octobot" could pave the way for more effective autonomous robots that could be used in the search, rescue and exploration. "The Octobot is a minimal system which may serve as a foundation for a new generation of completely soft, autonomous robots，" the study's authors wrote.
Robots built for precise, repetitive movements in a controlled environment don't do so well on the rough ground or in unpredictable conditions. And they aren't especially safe around humans because they're made out of hard and heavy parts that could be possibly dangerous to their users.
So researchers have been working on building soft robots for several ten years. They've taken inspiration from nature, looking to animals from jellyfish to cockroaches, which are often made up of more soft matter.
But creating a completely soft robot remains a problem. Even if engineers build a silicone (硅酮) body, it's still a big challenge to make soft versions of essential parts, such as a source of power.
"Although soft robotics is still in its early stage, it holds great prospects for several applications, such as searches and rescue operations and exploration"， Barbara Mazzolai and Virgilio Mattoli of the Italian Institute of Technology's Center for MicroBioRobotics wrote. "Soft robots might also open up new ways to improving wellness and the quality of life."
Want to catch more fish at night? Watch the moon! Using the moon, you are able to learn several things about fish at night. During a full moon night, you are most likely to find fish hiding in the shadows. When you find shadows on the water（from trees, etc）, you know exactly where you need to cast your line.
If the moonlight is not shining down on the water and there are no shadows, the fish will be separated in the water, making your job of finding them much more difficult.
On the other side of the coin, it seems like the fish are more likely to hit the bait（饵）when the moon is hidden, either by clouds or a quarter moon. So, the real trick is to use the moon to decide how you are going to fish that particular night.
If you have a bright, full moon, head for the shadows on the water. If you are on the water and the moon is nowhere in sight, you can go straight to your favorite spot and fish like you normally do, but expect to get more frequent and harder hits on your line.
Some fishermen swear they only fish during a full moon, others say no moonlight is best. I say, both are best; you just have to change your style depending on how much moonlight you have that night.
Try it out for yourself and see if you get the same results. This tip alone has helped me catch some of the biggest fish in my life. Hopefully it will help you do the same.
Katelyn Varga was an amazing teacher. The first day I had her social studies class, I knew we would have a great 1 . Her style of teaching was so 2 that almost every student loved studying social studies.
My favorite3 was from our class about the American Civil War. Each student4 a person from the American Civil War to research and then explained his or her findings in class. Mrs. Varga could always find useful ways to make her students well 5 while they had 6 at the same time. Besides, she always encouraged us to explore new things.
Honestly, Mrs. Varga has a great 7 on me. I remember I 8 badly before. 9 , I met Mrs. Varga and she made me become the best student that I could be. I really appreciate her coming to our school. During my eighth－grade year when I was 10 where to go to high school, she was one of the biggest reasons I continued to 11 Conrad Schools of Science. The last day of school was a(n) 12 one for us, because she would no longer teach me. 13 our graduation ceremony was over, I went to her room to say my final goodbyes. Mrs. Varga gave me a big hug. 14 of us stood there crying in each other's arms.
Mrs. Varga is one of the best teachers that I have ever had. She pours everything she has into her 15 . Thanks to Mrs. Varga, I had a great time at Conrad Schools of Science.
I love natural science, which came from my (curious) in nature. From an early age, I caught frogs and insects in the nearby woods, I explored the cool streams running the woods and searched for fish (live) in the water.
As I grew up, my interests developed around subjects in school, particularly in biology, chemistry and physics. These interests (increase) with more time spent in the deserts and forests of Arizona, we moved when I was in my teens. The desert was not entirely new to me, since I (visit) relatives in Phoenix several times before moving there. However, exploring the desert on my own was new. I checked under every rock and bush looking for signs of life, I found many incredible animals. Once I happened to discover (poison) snakes under a rock. I was very scary. However, I (eventual) grew to be cautious of them and now snakes are my favorite study subject.
I am now ecologist. I have done research in deserts, forests, streams and lakes. (find) new species still excites me, I am glad to have a strong interest in the natural world. My hobby makes me what I am now.
