Remote-controlled cockroach swarm can now breathe underwater

The team of Hirotaka Sato at Nanyang Technological University developed 3D-printed waterproof diving suits for remote-controlled Madagascar hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa), enabling them to walk underwater for up to 3 hours at depths of up to 50 centimeters. The suits supply oxygen through a reaction between hydrogen peroxide and manganese dioxide; five suited cockroaches remained healthy after three days, and reached an underwater speed of 78.4 millimeters per second (87.5 millimeters per second on land). The team next plans to test the approach under extreme space environmental conditions.