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Artificial muscles might be used for war...

n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
edited March 2006 in US Military Veteran Forum
Fake Muscles Work Like Real Thing
By Tracy Staedter, Discovery News


March 20, 2006- Two new kinds of super-strong artificial muscles can convert chemical energy into a mechanical force, making them function like natural muscles, to according to a study.

The muscles, which are 100 times stronger than the real thing, were reported by Von Howard Ebron and colleageus, from the University of Texas at Dallas' NanoTech Institute, in the March 17 issue of Science.

They could help usher in an entirely new breed of so-called fuel-cell muscles that receive chemical fuel - such as hydrogen or methyl alcohol - through a circulatory system, convert it to mechanical energy, and store any unused energy for later.

Such muscles could be used to move robots and robotic exoskeletons, or as part of structures on air and marine vehicles that morph into different shapes.





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"In the future, the humanoid robot sitting next to you at the bar may be drinking alcohol in order to work the next day," said Ray Baughman, the research team leader and director of the NanoTech Institute.

One of the most successful kinds of artificial muscle consists of a stretchy material, which does not conduct electricity, sandwiched between two layers of material that do.

When an electric current is applied, the plus and minus charges accumulate on opposite layers of the sandwich. They are attracted to each other and squeeze down on the rubbery center, giving the muscle its flexing ability.

A cord or batteries normally supply the power. But Baughman's team created two kinds of artificial muscles charged by a chemical reaction, eliminating the need for range-limiting power cords and bulky, short-lived batteries.

"The approach is not without challenges, but it could transform the way complex mechanical systems are built," wrote John D. Madden of the University of British Columbia in a Science "Perspectives" article describing the technology.

In the first approach, the scientists coated a sheet made of pure carbon nanotubes with platinum nanoparticles. They immersed the sheet into a solution of sulfuric acid.

A chemical reaction accelerated by the platinum catalyst converts each molecule of the hydrogen fuel to two protons and two electrons.

Repulsion between the electrons causes the nanotubes to expand.

In the second approach, the scientists used a special filament known as shape-memory wire, which can be trained to contract into a particular shape when heat is applied to it.

The team coated a straight memory wire with platinum nanoparticles and then exposed it to vapors from methyl alcohol mixed with air.

A chemical reaction occurred between the the alcohol and the oxygen in the air, which produced heat and caused the wire to contract.

Both types of muscles could be used in autonomous robots or as robotic armor worn by soldiers or astronauts to give them super-human strength.

Baughman imagines that the technology could eventually use sugars in the human body as fuel and enzymes instead of platinum to work one important artificial muscle: a heart.

Comments

  • Ray BRay B Member Posts: 11,822
    edited November -1
    Oh great!! Now the lifers are gonna think all they need to do to get the L/Cpls to carry 10,000 rounds of linked ammo along with the other 100 pounds of gear is to stick a couple extra muscles on them. Glad I'm out.[xx(]
  • DancesWithSheepDancesWithSheep Member Posts: 12,938 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ECC
    A cord or batteries normally supply the power. But Baughman's team created two kinds of artificial muscles charged by a chemical reaction, eliminating the need for range-limiting power cords and bulky, short-lived batteries.

    This will give new life to Ann Coulter's 800+ vibrator inventory.
  • mrseatlemrseatle Member Posts: 15,467 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Read Anything Written by Robert A Heinlein if you are interested in this topic. He was a Navy Gunnery Officer many many years ago, turned sci-fi author. His thoughts on the obligations of this nations veterans are very relevent these days.
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