MSGID: 1:317/3 64ae2c74   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Revolutionary self-sensing electric artificial muscles    
      
     Date:   
         July 11, 2023   
     Source:   
         Queen Mary University of London   
     Summary:   
         Researchers have made groundbreaking advancements in bionics with   
         the development of a new electric variable-stiffness artificial   
         muscle. This innovative technology possesses self-sensing   
         capabilities and has the potential to revolutionize soft robotics   
         and medical applications. The artificial muscle seamlessly   
         transitions between soft and hard states, while also sensing forces   
         and deformations. With flexibility and stretchability similar to   
         natural muscle, it can be integrated into intricate soft robotic   
         systems and adapt to various shapes. By adjusting voltages,   
         the muscle rapidly changes its stiffness and can monitor its own   
         deformation through resistance changes. The fabrication process is   
         simple and reliable, making it ideal for a range of applications,   
         including aiding individuals with disabilities or patients in   
         rehabilitation training.   
      
      
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   Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have made groundbreaking   
   advancements in bionics with the development of a new electric variable-   
   stiffness artificial muscle. Published in Advanced Intelligent Systems,   
   this innovative technology possesses self-sensing capabilities and has the   
   potential to revolutionize soft robotics and medical applications. The   
   artificial muscle seamlessly transitions between soft and hard states,   
   while also sensing forces and deformations. With flexibility and   
   stretchability similar to natural muscle, it can be integrated into   
   intricate soft robotic systems and adapt to various shapes. By adjusting   
   voltages, the muscle rapidly changes its stiffness and can monitor its own   
   deformation through resistance changes. The fabrication process is simple   
   and reliable, making it ideal for a range of applications, including   
   aiding individuals with disabilities or patients in rehabilitation   
   training.   
      
   In a study published recently in Advanced Intelligent Systems,   
   researchers from Queen Mary University of London have made significant   
   advancements in the field of bionics with the development of a new   
   type of electric variable-stiffness artificial muscle that possesses   
   self-sensing capabilities. This innovative technology has the potential   
   to revolutionize soft robotics and medical applications.   
      
   Muscle contraction hardening is not only essential for enhancing strength   
   but also enables rapid reactions in living organisms. Taking inspiration   
   from nature, the team of researchers at QMUL's School of Engineering   
   and Materials Science has successfully created an artificial muscle that   
   seamlessly transitions between soft and hard states while also possessing   
   the remarkable ability to sense forces and deformations.   
      
   Dr. Ketao Zhang, a Lecturer at Queen Mary and the lead researcher,   
   explains the importance of variable stiffness technology in artificial   
   muscle-like actuators. "Empowering robots, especially those made from   
   flexible materials, with self-sensing capabilities is a pivotal step   
   towards true bionic intelligence," says Dr. Zhang.   
      
   The cutting-edge artificial muscle developed by the researchers exhibits   
   flexibility and stretchability similar to natural muscle, making it   
   ideal for integration into intricate soft robotic systems and adapting   
   to various geometric shapes. With the ability to withstand over 200%   
   stretch along the length direction, this flexible actuator with a striped   
   structure demonstrates exceptional durability.   
      
   By applying different voltages, the artificial muscle can rapidly adjust   
   its stiffness, achieving continuous modulation with a stiffness change   
   exceeding 30 times. Its voltage-driven nature provides a significant   
   advantage in terms of response speed over other types of artificial   
   muscles. Additionally, this novel technology can monitor its deformation   
   through resistance changes, eliminating the need for additional sensor   
   arrangements and simplifying control mechanisms while reducing costs.   
      
   The fabrication process for this self-sensing artificial muscle is   
   simple and reliable. Carbon nanotubes are mixed with liquid silicone   
   using ultrasonic dispersion technology and coated uniformly using a film   
   applicator to create the thin layered cathode, which also serves as the   
   sensing part of the artificial muscle. The anode is made directly using   
   a soft metal mesh cut, and the actuation layer is sandwiched between   
   the cathode and the anode. After the liquid materials cure, a complete   
   self-sensing variable-stiffness artificial muscle is formed.   
      
   The potential applications of this flexible variable stiffness technology   
   are vast, ranging from soft robotics to medical applications. The   
   seamless integration with the human body opens up possibilities for   
   aiding individuals with disabilities or patients in performing essential   
   daily tasks. By integrating the self-sensing artificial muscle, wearable   
   robotic devices can monitor a patient's activities and provide resistance   
   by adjusting stiffness levels, facilitating muscle function restoration   
   during rehabilitation training.   
      
   "While there are still challenges to be addressed before these medical   
   robots can be deployed in clinical settings, this research represents   
   a crucial stride towards human-machine integration," highlights   
   Dr. Zhang. "It provides a blueprint for the future development of soft   
   and wearable robots."  The groundbreaking study conducted by researchers   
   at Queen Mary University of London marks a significant milestone in   
   the field of bionics. With their development of self-sensing electric   
   artificial muscles, they have paved the way for advancements in soft   
   robotics and medical applications.   
      
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   Source: Materials provided by Queen_Mary_University_of_London. Note:   
   Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. Chen Liu, James J. C. Busfield, Ketao Zhang. An Electric   
         Self‐Sensing and Variable‐Stiffness Artificial Muscle.   
      
         Advanced Intelligent Systems, 2023; DOI: 10.1002/aisy.202300131   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230711133213.htm   
      
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