Magnetic-slime robot created by Hong Kong researchers

A magnetic slime robot has been developed by researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in the hope of using it in surgery. The slime contains magnetic particles which can be manipulated when external magnets are applied to it. Although the magnetic particles are toxic, a protective coating is being developed that may soon make it safe to use in the human digestive system. One practical application would be to retrieve accidentally-swallowed objects.