Weaving Muscles from Nanotube Yarn
Nov-18-12
Using nanotube yarn, researchers have developed artificial muscles 200 time stronger than natural muscles, opening the door to a new generation of lightweight and flexible robots.The muscles are made up of a waxy substance combined with carbon nanotubes which have been twisted to form a sort of yarn. Hollow spaces within the yarn are filled with wax, which expands when heated and causes the nanotube yarn to constrict, becoming shorter and fatter. Cooling the wax causes it to shrink, which in turn causes the nanotubes to become longer and narrower. The change happens quickly, with the muscles able to shorten and lengthen every 25 milliseconds.
The team is currently investigating ways to cause the muscles to react to chemicals, and hope to eventually weave a fabric of the muscle fiber.
Image: Science/AAAS
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For my Treddlecat marine propulsion system I have been looking for suitable linear motors to enable larger versions to be powered from solar electricity.
These nanotube muscles could be the answer to driving the worlds most efficient ships from solar energy. I invite all interested persons to view the video clip on youtube under "treddlecat2" and make comments.
Questions arising; how durable would these muscles be and how many cycles could they make without significant derioration? What is the most efficient way to fluctuate their temperature?
Posted by Ken Kingsbury on November 21, 2012
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For my Treddlecat marine propulsion system I have been looking for suitable linear motors to enable larger versions to be powered from solar electricity.
These nanotube muscles could be the answer to driving the worlds most efficient ships from solar energy. I invite all interested persons to view the video clip on youtube under "treddlecat2" and make comments.
Questions arising; how durable would these muscles be and how many cycles could they make without significant derioration? What is the most efficient way to fluctuate their temperature?
Posted by Ken Kingsbury on November 21, 2012
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