Elio’s objective as a 2024 Schmidt Science Fellow is to develop an insect-inspired microrobot equipped with lab-on-chip sensors for environmental monitoring.

By emulating the exceptional abilities of insects, the novel “Lab-on-a-microrobot” will be capable of on-site fluid sampling, performing chemical analyses, and wirelessly transmitting results pertaining to threats related to water contaminations such as heavy metals, oil spills, and microplastics.

This technology could expedite emergency response and protect global ecosystems.