Fishing line used to form artificial muscle
FEB 21, 2014
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.027710
Science : After years of trying to create artificial muscle from such expensive materials as shape-memory alloys and single-walled carbon nanotubes , researchers have found a far cheaper alternative: ordinary plastic fishing line and sewing thread. In a paper published today in Science, Ray Baughman of the University of Texas at Dallas and colleagues describe their work of twisting plastic fibers and threads into long yarns that contract and expand when stimulated by heat or zapped with electricity. Such muscle materials could be used in a number of technologies, from prosthetic limbs to robots.
© 2014 American Institute of Physics
