A team of Chinese scientists have developed a robot fish. It can clear away microplastic particles（塑料微粒） from water environments.
The robot fish are about 1. 3 cm long. They are made of a soft chemical mixture. The robots are built to take in microplastic particles, which are smaller than 5 mm. Microplastic pollution has been discovered in many natural environments, and the microplastic particles come from the breakdown（分解） of plastic products and industrial waste.
When lit by a bright light, the robot fish can move its tail from side to side. Using the light, scientists can control the robot fish to swim and avoid hitting other fish or ships. It can swim up to 2. 76 body lengths（长度） per second.This is faster than most similar robots.
Wang Yuyan is a member of the research team. She says that the small, lightweight robot is being used to collect microplastics for research purposes now. But Wang adds that the team plans to increase that use so the robot fish can clear away much more microplastic waste from deep ocean areas.
The robot fish can take in different kinds of microplastics and even repair itself when it is broken. And if it is eaten by a real fish by chance, it can be broken down safely.
Wang says similar robots can be developed to be placed inside the human body to take out some disease.
