You’ve read it correctly. These are spheres that can “walk”, or rather, “glide” on water. Utah State University Splash Lab’s researchers discovered this new mode of water surface skipping.
In collaboration with scientists at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, R.I., and Brown University, Utah State University Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Tadd Truscott and his associates at USU's Splash Lab have unraveled the physics of how elastic spheres "walk" on water. Their findings were recently published in the prestigious research journal Scientific Reports.
Using high-speed cameras, Truscott recorded the elastomeric spheres as they skip over the tank of water.
"Although this has been a long study, the new modes we discovered make it easier for us to envision using the technology for practical uses like water-walking drones," Truscott said.
Do you think they might make water-walking shoes in the future?
(Image Credit: Utah State University)