Gallery: This Drone Would Swim Through Lava—if Someone Could Build It
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The Vulcan is a concept vehicle that could travel into the Earth's mantle.
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Lava can range in temperature from 1,500 to 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit, so the Vulcan would need an outer shell made from ultra-high-temperature ceramics capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 3,600 degrees. You’d
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After a temporary crane or hoist lowers the vehicle into the lava, there’s the question of propulsion.
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That's tricky when you’re talking about a moving through a liquid that can be 1,000 times more viscous than water.
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Sound waves or shockwaves could push the vehicle by using a concave shape.
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Once it’s down under, the Vulcan could use pincers (made from heat-resistant super alloys) to position test samples or equipment.
