Journal Article10.1002/ADMA.201704407
Artificial Muscles: Mechanisms, Applications, and Challenges.
Seyed M. Mirvakili,Ian W. Hunter +1 more
874
TL;DR: The structure, actuation mechanism, applications, and limitations of recently developed artificial muscles, including highly oriented semicrystalline polymer fibers; nanocomposite actuators; twisted nanofiber yarns; thermally activated shape-memory alloys; ionic-polymer/metal composites; dielectric-elastomer actuator; and pneumatic actuators are discussed.
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Abstract: The area of artificial muscle is a highly interdisciplinary field of research that has evolved rapidly in the last 30 years. Recent advances in nanomaterial fabrication and characterization, specifically carbon nanotubes and nanowires, have had major contributions in the development of artificial muscles. However, what can artificial muscles really do for humans? This question is considered here by first examining nature's solutions to this design problem and then discussing the structure, actuation mechanism, applications, and limitations of recently developed artificial muscles, including highly oriented semicrystalline polymer fibers; nanocomposite actuators; twisted nanofiber yarns; thermally activated shape-memory alloys; ionic-polymer/metal composites; dielectric-elastomer actuators; conducting polymers; stimuli-responsive gels; piezoelectric, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and photostrictive actuators; photoexcited actuators; electrostatic actuators; and pneumatic actuators.
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Citations
Magnetic Soft Matter toward Programmable and Multifunctional Miniature Machines
Neng Xia,Dongdong Jin,Li Zhang +2 more
TL;DR: Researchers develop magnetic soft matter for programmable and multifunctional miniature machines, enabling controllable shape-morphing, locomotion, and actuation with potential applications in biomedical engineering, micromanipulation, and flexible electronics.
Braiding Polythene Lay‐Flat Tube into Cotton Threads for Artificial Muscle Actuation
Changchun Wu,Hao Liu,Senyuan Lin,Yonghua Chen +3 more
TL;DR: A braided flat‐tube artificial muscle (BFAM) that can contract close to 30% and yield force outputs more than 150 times their weight at an air pressure of 0.12 MPa is presented.
Inertial Block-Enhanced Stick-Slip Piezoelectric Actuator for Smooth Motion
Siyuan Xing,Aobo Sun,Jingwen Gao,Jianping Li,Fuqin Deng +4 more
- 01 Jun 2025
Fabrication and Properties of Dielectric Elastomer-Based Nanocomposites
Tajamal Hussain,Rabia Batool,Khurram Shehzad,Adnan Mujahid,Adeel Afzal,Muhammad Zahid +5 more
TL;DR: Fabrication and properties of dielectric elastomer-based nanocomposites focus on enhancing dielectric constant for energy storage and actuation applications.
Bending, Twisting, and Propulsion of Photoreactive Crystals by Controlled Gas Release
Yu Chen,Xiaofan Jiang,Marieh B. Al‐Handawi,Panče Naumov,Lu Liang,Yu Qi,Guo‐Ming Wang +6 more
TL;DR: Photoreactive crystals propel themselves and other objects through controlled gas release, enabling bending, twisting, and propulsion.
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