Edible Boat Powered by Your Cocktail

Imagine sitting down with a cocktail only to find a tiny, brightly colored boat zipping around the surface. Either you really need to be cut off or you’re looking at a booze-powered cocktail boat invented by foodie scientists. And, like other fruity garnishes, this one is meant to be eaten.

The boat idea first emerged when Lisa Burton was pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering at MIT and took a class taught by her adviser, fluid dynamicist John Bush. During the class, Burton learned about water-walking insects, which inspired her to construct a tiny fluid-propelled vessel with help from her friend, fellow mechanical engineer and designer Nadia Cheng. Read more...