Set free over an environmental disaster, like a chemical spill, and they could monitor where humans can’t go. Microfliers could also watch the skies for disease-carrying airborne particles like ...

Scientists have developed electronically equipped “microfliers” inspired by the design of seeds that float on the breeze. They could be used for tasks like environmental monitoring, though ...

Scientists envision that these microfliers, when equipped with wee sensors for measuring environmental conditions, could monitor pH, test for heavy metals or assess hazards like chemical spills ...

Northwestern University says these are the world's smallest human-made flying structures, and they could be used for monitoring the environment, population surveillance or disease tracking.