A bionic jellyfish has been created to monitor and explore the world's oceans. Microelectronics have been placed into a jellyfish called moon jellyfish. This will test ways to control movements of the jellyfish and then to develop tiny sensors. These sensors could perform long-term measurements of temperature, salt levels, acidity or even oxygen levels. A tiny prosthetic ensures that the jellyfish are able to swim three times faster. By contracting muscles, jellyfish can move themselves through water to collapse their umbrella-shaped body, and then relax. The prosthetic is a chip, battery and electrodes that stimulate the muscle. It causes the jellyfish to pulse their bodies more frequently which is similar to the way a pacemaker works. This prosthetic is only 2 cm in diameter. Jellyfish are well known for releasing mucous when they are stressed. During the research, no reaction occurred and the animals swam normally after the prosthetic was removed. Jellyfish have been around for over 500 million years and over time, their body hasn't really changed much.
