Revolutionary Self-Aware Electric Artificial Muscles Are a Major Step Toward a Bionic Future.
Researchers at Queen Mary University have developed an artificial muscle with self-sensing, changeable stiffness that is eerily similar to the properties of real muscles. This discovery brings us one step closer to the seamless integration of humans and machines in fields like soft robotics and medicine.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have achieved significant strides in bionics with the invention of an electric variable-stiffness artificial muscle with self-sensing capabilities, as detailed in a study published on July 8 in Advanced Intelligent Systems. Soft robotics and other medical uses could be profoundly impacted by this cutting-edge technology.
Technology Inspired by Nature
In addition to being crucial for boosting strength, the stiffening of muscle contractions allows for lightning-fast reactions in living creatures. Taking cues from nature, a team from Queen Mary University of London’s School of Engineering and Materials Science has developed an artificial muscle with the amazing capacity to sense stresses and deformations over a wide range of conditions.
Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London and principal investigator Dr. Ketao Zhang elaborates on the significance of variable stiffness technology in artificial muscle-like actuators. Dr. Zhang believes that self-sensing capabilities for robots, especially those manufactured from flexible materials, is a crucial step towards real bionic intelligence.
Characteristics of the New Artificial Muscle
The innovative artificial muscle produced by the researchers is stretchable and adaptable like real muscle, making it a good fit for use in complex soft robotic systems. This striped flexible actuator is extremely robust, withstanding stretching of nearly 200% in the length direction.
The artificial muscle’s stiffness may be rapidly adjusted by applying different voltages, allowing for continuous modulation with a stiffness change of more than 30 times. In comparison to other forms of artificial muscles, its response time is much improved by the fact that it is voltage-driven. This innovative approach also eliminates the need for elaborate sensor setups, streamlines control mechanisms, and cuts costs by monitoring deformation via resistance changes.
Fabrication Process
This self-sensing artificial muscle has a straightforward manufacturing technique. The sensing component of artificial muscles is a thin layered cathode made from carbon nanotubes combined with liquid silicone using ultrasonic dispersion technology and covered uniformly using a film applicator. The actuation layer is located between the cathode and anode, while the anode itself is fabricated using a soft metal mesh cut. After the liquid materials cure, an artificial muscle with fully functional self-sensing variable stiffness is generated.
Potential Applications
Soft robotics and medical applications are only two of the many fields that could benefit from this variable stiffness technology. The ability to work in concert with the human body offers up new avenues for helping people who are unable to do so on their own. The self-sensing artificial muscle allows wearable robotic devices to track a patient’s movements and respond with varying degrees of resistance and stiffness to aid in the regaining of muscular function through physical therapy
Human-Machine Integration
Dr. Zhang emphasizes that while there are still obstacles to be overcome before these medical robots can be implemented in clinical settings, this research represents an important step toward human-machine integration. As the authors put it, “It provides a blueprint for the future development of soft and wearable robots.”