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This could have major implications for robotics — Parallax Forums

This could have major implications for robotics

dmagnusdmagnus Posts: 271
edited 2014-02-20 13:40 in General Discussion
http://news.yahoo.com/artificial-39-yarn-muscles-39-100x-stronger-human-190539016.html;_ylt=AwrBJSAUVAZTcAwAsZzQtDMD

"coiled fishing line and sewing thread"
"100X Stronger than Human Muscles"

"High-school students in their family room can make their own muscles and deploy them,"

Comments

  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2014-02-20 11:59
    Similar to "memory wire" it takes heat to make the muscles operate. In the video, this was applied with a heat gun; but for any reasonable deployment, a lower-energy method will be necessary.

    -Phil
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2014-02-20 12:07
    I grew up next to Missouri, so they kinda have to show me, not just tell me.......
    In the case of robotic muscles, electrical energy, not temperature change, would drive the contraction of fibers.

    ...and in the case of a flying pig, wings would keep him airborne.
  • Mark_TMark_T Posts: 1,981
    edited 2014-02-20 13:40
    Simple thermodynamics shows these are poor efficiency, given the limited range of temperature they operate under,
    still a useful technology of course, expecially in passive applications.

    Way back I read an edition of SciAm that had a description of heat engines using rubber bands - this is a similar
    idea I think.

    Give me an array of 3D printed insect flight muscle fibres for a more controllable, more efficient prime-mover!!
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