While most small insects and mammals urinate in droplets, cicadas urinate in jets. Researchers from the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering say the finding could be used to create better robots and small nozzles.

Researchers from Georgia Tech have discovered cicadas urinate in jets, while most small insects and mammals urinate in droplets. This work, led by Saad Bhamla, is part of a study aimed at learning more about the fluid dynamics of various insects and mammals. The researchers believe the discovery could have applications for improving dynamic nozzles for soft robotics or drug delivery, removing water efficiently from low-power electronics, and developing new principles for additive manufacturing.