It's never usually good when somebody tells you to put a sock on it.
But when researchers put "socks" on artificial muscles made from inexpensive materials they found it helps them produce 40 times more flex than human muscle.
University of Wollongong researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) are part of an international project to develop sheath-run artificial muscles (SRAMs), that can be used to create intelligent materials and fabrics that react by sensing the environment around them.
The latest research builds on 15 years work by the researchers from UOW, USA, China and South Korea.
They have already invented several types of strong, powerful artificial muscles using materials ranging from high-tech carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to ordinary fishing line.
The latest version of the muscles feature a sheath around a coiled or twisted yarn, which contracts (or "actuates") when heated, and returns to its initial state when cooled.
The outside sheath is like a close-fitting sock and absorbs energy to drive actuation of the muscle. The muscles can also operate by absorbing moisture from their surroundings.
The outside sheath is like a close-fitting sock and absorbs energy to drive actuation of the muscle.
The new SRAMs are made from common natural and man-made fibres, such as cotton, silk, wool and nylon, which are cheap and readily available.
ACES chief investigator Senior Professor Geoffrey Spinks said the team wanted to improve upon its previous artificial muscle work, which relied on coiling and twisting more sophisticated materials like carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn.
"While there's no doubt carbon nanotubes make wonderful artificial muscles, CNT is also a very expensive product. Our latest work utilises inexpensive, commercially available yarns with a CNT polymer coating for the sheath," Professor Spinks said.
"By placing a sheath on the muscle, we can focus only that energy on the outer part of the fibre, and convert this input energy more quickly and efficiently."
ARC-DECRA Fellow and lead Australian researcher Dr Javad Foroughi explained that the application possibilities for SRAMs are diverse.
"When we talk artificial muscles, we're not just talking about a technology as a replacement for muscles in the body. These muscles offer some exciting opportunities for technologies where the artificial muscles intelligently actuate by sensing their environment," Dr Foroughi said.
"Picture these muscles being woven into comfort-adjusting textiles that cool in summer and warm in winter depending on their exposure to temperature, moisture (like sweat), and sunlight, or as smart controlled drug release devices for localised drug delivery through the actuation of valves that control the flow of liquids depending on their chemical composition or temperature."
ACES director Distinguished Professor Gordon Wallace said this work was an excellent example of the importance of global collaboration in delivering efficient, effective and high impact advances in research and innovation.
The paper 'Sheath-Run Artificial Muscles' was published in the journal Science on Friday, July 12.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
