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Beyond surface tension-dominated water surface jumping

Author

Listed:
  • Xin Wang

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Neng Xia

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Chengfeng Pan

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Jinsheng Zhao

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Bo Hao

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Lin Su

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Dongdong Jin

    (Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen))

  • Qingsong Xu

    (University of Macau)

  • Xurui Liu

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Xingyu Hou

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

  • Li Zhang

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Water surface jumping motions of semi-aquatic insects are primarily rely on surface tension-dominated jumping mechanism to achieve impressive jumping performance. However, this mechanism faces an inherent physical constraint: the propulsion force must remain below the threshold required to break the water surface, limiting efficient momentum acquisition. Herein, we present a water surface jumping strategy that addresses the limitations of surface tension-dominated mechanism. Our approach allows the engineered jumper to achieve a record-breaking jumping height of 18 body lengths (63 cm) and take-off velocity of 100.6 body length/s (3.52 m/s). This strategy is built on three key design principles: (I) superhydrophobic body for floating on water surface, (II) light-weight, high-power actuation module capable of providing significant propulsion force within an ultrashort time, (III) well-engineered momentum transmission system for efficient kinetic energy transfer. The developed soft jumper based on these design principles advances the development of water environment related robotics.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Wang & Neng Xia & Chengfeng Pan & Jinsheng Zhao & Bo Hao & Lin Su & Dongdong Jin & Qingsong Xu & Xurui Liu & Xingyu Hou & Li Zhang, 2025. "Beyond surface tension-dominated water surface jumping," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58096-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58096-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eunjin Yang & Jae Hak Son & Sang-im Lee & Piotr G. Jablonski & Ho-Young Kim, 2016. "Water striders adjust leg movement speed to optimize takeoff velocity for their morphology," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Yufeng Chen & Neel Doshi & Benjamin Goldberg & Hongqiang Wang & Robert J. Wood, 2018. "Controllable water surface to underwater transition through electrowetting in a hybrid terrestrial-aquatic microrobot," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. David L. Hu & Brian Chan & John W. M. Bush, 2003. "The hydrodynamics of water strider locomotion," Nature, Nature, vol. 424(6949), pages 663-666, August.
    4. Minseok Gwon & Dongjin Kim & Baekgyeom Kim & Seungyong Han & Daeshik Kang & Je-Sung Koh, 2023. "Scale dependence in hydrodynamic regime for jumping on water," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
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