Revolutionary self-inductive electromechanics

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have made breakthrough advances in biology with the development of a new type of electrically variable stiffness artificial muscle. Published in Advanced Intelligent Systems, this cutting-edge technology possesses self-sense and has the potential to revolutionize medical applications and soft robotics. The artificial muscle seamlessly transitions between soft and hard states, and senses force and deformation. With the same flexibility and stretchability as a natural muscle, it can be integrated into complex soft robotic systems and adapt to a variety of shapes. By adjusting the voltage, the muscle rapidly changes stiffness and can monitor its own deformation through changes in resistance. The fabrication process is simple and reliable, making it ideal for many applications, including assisting the disabled or patients in rehabilitation training.

In a study published recently in Advanced intelligent system, researchers from Queen Mary University of London have made significant advances in the field of biology with the development of a new type of electrically variable stiffness artificial muscle that possesses the ability to feel itself. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize soft robotics and medical applications.

Rigidity of contractile muscles is not only necessary to increase strength, but also allows rapid response in the living organism. Inspired by nature, a 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 and possesses the ability to feel outstanding force and deformation.

Dr. Ketao Zhang, Lecturer at Queen Mary and lead researcher, explains the importance of variable stiffness technology in artificial muscle-like actuators. «Empowering robots, especially those made from flexible materials, with self-perception is an important step towards true biological intelligence,» said Dr. Zhang.

The advanced artificial muscle developed by researchers exhibits the same flexibility and stretchability as natural muscles, making it ideal for integration into complex and adaptive soft robotic systems. corresponds to different geometric shapes. With a tensile strength of more than 200% along its length, this striped flexible actuator exhibits outstanding durability.

By applying different voltages, the artificial muscle can rapidly adjust its stiffness, achieving continuous modulation with stiffness changes exceeding 30 times. Its voltage-controlled nature offers a significant advantage in reaction speed over other types of artificial muscles. In addition, this new technology can monitor its distortion through resistance changes, eliminating the need for additional sensor arrangements and simplifying the control mechanism while reducing costs.

The process of making this self-sensing artificial muscle is simple and reliable. The carbon nanotubes are mixed with liquid silicone using ultrasonic dispersion technology and uniformly coated using a film paste applicator to create a multi-layer cathode, which also serves as the sensing element of the artificial muscle. . The anode is made directly by cutting a soft metal mesh, and the driving layer is sandwiched between the cathode and anode. After processing the liquid material, a complete self-perceived variable stiffness artificial muscle is formed.

The potential applications of this flexible variable stiffness technology are vast, ranging from soft robotics to medical applications. Seamless integration with the human body opens up the possibility of assisting people with disabilities or patients with essential daily tasks. By integrating self-sensing artificial muscles, wearable robotic devices can monitor patient activities and provide resistance by adjusting stiffness levels, facilitating muscle rehabilitation. during rehabilitation training.

Dr Zhang emphasized: «Although there are still challenges to be addressed before these medical robots can be deployed in a clinical setting, this study represents an important step forward towards the integration of medical robots. between man and machine». «It provides a blueprint for the future development of soft and wearable robotics.»

The groundbreaking study carried out by researchers at Queen Mary University of London marks an important milestone in the field of biology. With the development of self-inducing electric artificial muscles, they paved the way for advances in soft robotics and medical applications.

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