Science Nation: Sandfish Lizard Slithers Into Science Spotlight
In less than a second a sandfish lizard can dig its way into the sand and disappear. The sandfish's slithering moves are inspiring new robotic moves that could one day help search and rescue crews find survivors in piles of rubble left from disasters. With support from the National Science Foundation, physicist Daniel Goldman and his team at Georgia Tech are studying the lizard’s movements, using x-rays to track it underground. Their findings will contribute to engineering designs for deployable robots that could one day help canine search and rescue teams find survivors more quickly.
Media Details
Runtime: 2 minutes 32 seconds
- Topic: Health and Safety, History, Science, Technology
- Subtopic: Animal Behavior, Inventions, Robotics, Safety
- Grade/Interest Level: 7 - 12
- Standards:
- Release Year: 2009
- Producer/Distributor: National Science Foundation
- Series: Science Nation
- Report a Problem
Related Media

Science Nation: Doppler on Wheels--The Biggest 'Dish' on the Road

Science Nation: Testing the Waters--1,4-Dioxane in North Carolina's Cape Fear River Basin

Science Nation: Hydraulic Fracturing--Using Scientific Methods to Evaluate Trade-Offs

Science Nation: Giving Robots and Prostheses the Human Touch

Science Nation: CASA Radar Tracks Tornadoes

Science Nation: Biophotonics Poised to Make Major Breakthroughs in Medicine

Science Nation: Off the Water Grid--Energy Efficient and Sustainable

Science Nation: Could a "Thinking Cap" Help Us Learn?

Science Nation: Arctic Soils Key to Future Climate

Science Nation: Hunting for the WIMPS of the Universe